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Android mascot statues outside Google's headquarters, the Googleplex.

March 10, 2014

The New Digital Age: Authors Eric Schmidt and Jared Cohen in Conversation with Facebook’s Sheryl Sandberg at CHM

By Alan Weissberger

Introduction: On March 3, 2014, Eric Schmidt and Jared Cohen (co-authors of The New Digital Age) engaged in a stimulating conversation with Facebook's COO Sheryl Sandberg.  The event took place at the Computer History Museum (CHM) as part of the museum's Revolutionary series (see description...

A Cromemco System Three microcomputer (1970s) — an S-100 machine of the kind that ran CP/M.

January 22, 2014

Approved IEEE Milestone: Birth of the 1st PC Operating System (CP/M)

By Alan Weissberger

Introduction: Gary A. Kildall, PhD (1942 – 1994),  developed and then demonstrated the first working prototype of CP/M (Control Program for Microcomputers) in Pacific Grove in 1974. Together with his invention of the BIOS (Basic Input Output System), Kildall’s operating system allowed a...

A memorial statue of Alan Turing.

December 25, 2013

Computer Pioneer Alan Turing Pardoned by UK for "crime" he didn't commit

By Alan Weissberger

The United Kingdom has finally pardoned Alan Turing for a gay sex conviction which tarnished the brilliant career of the code breaker credited with helping win the war against Nazi Germany and laying the foundation for the computer age. Turing’s contributions to science spanned from computer...

A replica of Douglas Engelbart's first computer mouse.

December 15, 2013

Testimonials to Doug Englebart: Dec 9, 2013 @CHM

By Alan Weissberger

Computer visionary Doug Engelbart was posthumously honored on December 9th at the Computer History Museum (CHM) in Mt View, CA.  The date of this event was significant, because December 9 was the 45th Anniversary of the “Mother of All Demos.^”  Doug's wife, daughter, and several people that worked...

An Intel Pentium Pro microprocessor.

November 9, 2013

Highlights of Intel's Justin Rattner at CHM: Oct 8, 2013

By Alan Weissberger

The event was in the form of an interview/conversation led by CHM CEO/moderator John Hollar.  Mr. Rattner spent a lot of time discussing his early life at Hollywood High School and how he got involved in electronics and as a EE student at Cornell University.  It was less about Intel's early...

Intel's headquarters in Santa Clara, California.

October 5, 2013

Summary, photos & videos of Oct 1st IEEE Panel: Intel's Transition to Success!

By Alan Weissberger

This was a hugely successful panel session on Intel's transitions, twists and turns into the world's most successful semiconductor company of all time.  Many attendees complimented our 2 panelists and myself for a great learning experience and intellectually stimulating session.  The great stories...

Ethernet networking — the technology Bob Metcalfe co-invented.

May 26, 2013

Bob Metcalfe's Closing Keynote at Ethernet Innovation Summit - May 23, 2013, CHM in Mt View, CA

By Alan Weissberger

Bob Metcalfe's key points on the Ethernet Innovation Summit are summarized in this article: http://community.comsoc.org/blogs/alanweissberger/bob-metcalfes-closing-keynote-ethernet-innovation-summit-may-23-2013-chm-mt-vi 40 years of Ethernet history discussed during day one; day two featured...

An Intel 4004 microprocessor (1971) mounted on a Busicom calculator circuit board.

May 11, 2013

Inventor Ted Hoff's Keynote @ World IP Day- April 26, 2013 in San Jose, CA

By Alan Weissberger

Introduction The World IP Day program was to promote and celebrate the many benefits of intellectual property in San Jose and the SF Bay Area. San Jose and Silicon Valley lead the nation in patent generation and the city co-hosted this West Coast event to celebrate the contributions of innovators...

A humanoid robot, evoking Grady Booch's theme of 'sentient' computing.

March 13, 2013

CHM lecture: IBM Fellow Grady Booch on Computing: The Human Experience

By Alan Weissberger

Introduction: In this informative March 11, 2013 lecture at the Computer History Museum (CHM), Grady Booch asked and tried to answer this question:  "What does it take to make "sentient" devices (that can feel, sense,  think and reason) out of silicon and software?" But before we can address that...

Stony Brook University.

February 18, 2013

Using Dense Social Networks to Progress a Brilliant Career in Computer Science!

By Alan Weissberger

Introduction The February 10, 2013 Stony Brook (SBU) Northern CA Alumni Association meeting featured a very informative and enlightening talk by Ike Nassi, PhD (1974 Computer Science) about what he learned at SBU, the friends he made there, and use of his social network to further his career. Ike...

Intel microprocessors across the generations, from the 386 to the Pentium Pro.

January 16, 2013

The Race for Microprocessor Leadership in Silicon Valley: Jan 7, 2013 IEEE Life Member Meeting in Mt View, CA

By Alan Weissberger

Abstract The microprocessor changed what is now known as Silicon Valley from a mostly agricultural and defense electronics region into a center of innovation for many new technologies. How did that happen and what challenges were faced along the way? This IEEE Life Member panel will discuss and...

The Computer History Museum, Mountain View, California.

January 14, 2013

CEO John Hollar's CHM Progress Report at Jan 7, 2013 IEEE Life Member Meeting

By Alan Weissberger

John Hollar, Computer History Museum (CHM) President and CEO, delivered a progress report on CHM activities at the January 7th IEEE Life Member meeting in Mt View, CA.  The CHM has become the leading institution that's archived computer artifacts, but is now recognized as a thought leader on the...