(1of5) The Machine that Changed the World: Giant Brains. 1992 Documentary

(1of5) The Machine That Changed the World: Giant Brains. (1992) (Documentary)

Documentary overview:
The Machine That Changed the World is the longest, most comprehensive documentary about the history of computing ever produced, but since its release in 1992, it's become virtually extinct. Out of print and never released online, the only remaining copies are VHS tapes floating around school libraries or in the homes of fans who dubbed the original shows when they aired.

Video Description:
The first part begins with a brief introduction to the series, summarizing the impact of computers on every aspect of our lives, attributed to their versatile nature. The history of computing begins with the original definition of "computers," human beings like William Shanks that calculated numbers by hand. Frustration with human error led Charles Babbage to develop his difference engine, the first mechanical computer. He later designed the analytical engine, the first general-purpose programmable computer, but it was never finished. Ada Lovelace assisted Babbage with the design and working out programs for the unbuilt machine, making her the first programmer.

100 years later, German engineer Konrad Zuse built the Z1, the first functional general-purpose computer, using binary counting with mechanical telephone relays. During World War II, Zuse wanted to switch to vacuum tubes, but Hitler killed the project because it would take too long. At the University of Pennsylvania, John Mauchly and J. Presper Eckert built ENIAC, the first general-purpose electronic computer, to aid in military calculations. They didn't finish in time to be useful for the war, but soon after, Eckert and Mauchly started the first commercial computer company. It took years before they brought a computer to market, so a British radar engineer named Freddie Williams beat them to building the first computer with stored programs. In Cambridge, Maurice Wilkes built EDSAC, the first practical computer with stored programs. Alan Turing imagined greater things for computers beyond calculations, after seeing the Colossus computer break German codes at Bletchley Park. Actor Derek Jacobi, performing as Alan Turing in "Breaking the Code," elaborates on Turing's insights into artificial intelligence. Computers can learn, but will they be intelligent?

Interviews:
Paul Ceruzzi (computer historian), Doron Swade (London Science Museum), Konrad Zuse (inventor of the first functional computer and high-level programming language, died in 1995), Kay Mauchly Antonelli (human computer in WWII and ENIAC programmer, died in 2006), Herman Goldstine (ENIAC developer, died in 2004), J. Presper Eckert (co-inventor of ENIAC, died in 1995), Maurice Wilkes (inventor of EDSAC), Donald Michie (Codebreaker at Bletchley Park)

Watch Part (2of5)
Inventing the Future
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1APZ5-...

Watch Part (3of5)
The Paperback Computer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwC3gO...

Watch Part (4of5)
The Thinking Machine
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gzpd0...

Watch Part (5of5)
The World at Your Fingertips
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_3A2j...

• Category

  Science & Technology

[sufficientlyoldskool]

27:50 - Dat beard.

[NuggetOfBlueGold]

It was John Atanasoff, a US mathematician, who created the first modern type of computer, the ABC, back in 1941. ENIAC appeared on the scene in November 1945.

"Electronic Brains" by Mike Hally. You'll be glad to know that Colossus gets a mention on page 84 as: "The first large-scale electronic computer in the world".

[mickeleh]

unprioductive usage... or reproductive usage?

[gokhan unel]

Does anyone have the script in text (for translation) ?

[lcbreezyl]

Good doc. Need an update from 1992 to 2013 so much has changed in not only technology(phones and tablets[ I think its interesting that microsoft tried to introduce the tablet/convertible laptop in early 2000s but that failed and the ipad came out about ten years later, massive success]) but the most common usage.(social media)

In 1992 I think ppl were still considered nerds for like using computer now kids use computers everyday tho for unproductive usage ie social media

[Seán O'Nilbud]

Stolen German tech.

[coollary1]

To change the future you must first learn how the pasted changed you.

[FahimMotoGP]

Lot of the things mentioned in this video has actually came true. You can show this video to someone in 50 years and they will be more amazed.

[astromanism]

yes and what ever happened to virtual reality? You guys remember that one? I sure do. But it died for some reason.

[milen ivanov]

John Atanasoff is a 50% Bulgarian soo I am proud with this the father of him is Bulgarian so the Bulgarian are the ioneers :)