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A Sun Microsystems SPARC microprocessor.

November 21, 2012

CHM Event Commemorating the 25th anniversary of Sun Micro's SPARC Microprocessor

By Alan Weissberger

On November 1, 2012, a panel of Sun Micro luminaries discussed how the company "bet the ranch" on the SPARC microprocessor at an early and critical stage of the company's development.   The panel was expertly moderated by my Northeastern University MSEE classmate Dave House. CHM CEO/Prez John...

The Harwell Dekatron (WITCH) computer, restored and operating at The National Museum of Computing.

November 21, 2012

The WITCH is Back: 61 year old computer lives again!

By Alan Weissberger

After a three-year restoration project at The National Museum of Computing, the Harwell Dekatron (aka WITCH) computer was rebooted on 20 November 2012 to become the world's oldest original working digital computer. Now in its seventh decade and in its fifth home, the computer with its flashing...

The Doomsday Clock — the panel weighed catastrophic-risk scenarios.

October 28, 2012

Doomsday Scenarios-Big Science Discussion @ Computer History Museum (CHM) in Mt View, CA on October 27, 2012

By Alan Weissberger

Several very provocative doomsday scenarios were discussed, but then refuted by subject matter experts called up to the stage to engage in conversation with the program hosts.  For each scenario top scientists were called on stage to discuss and refute several spectacular predictions about the end...

A silicon wafer of integrated circuits.

October 26, 2012

Shockley Semiconductor Reunion at CHM + Brief History of Shockley, Fairchild Semiconductor & Intel

By Alan Weissberger

A handful of former Shockley Semiconductor Labs employees recently got together at the Computer History Museum in Mt View, CA to tour a semiconductor exhibit on silicon.   http://www.computerhistory.org/semiconductor/timeline/1956-Silicon.html 1. Here's the reunion story from today's San Jose...

Microsoft's Redmond, Washington campus (Building 92).

October 21, 2012

Microsoft's Chief Research Officer Rick Rashid in Conversation with NYT's John Markoff @CHM

By Alan Weissberger

On October 16th, Rick Rashid, Microsoft Research's first employee and now its Chief Research Officer, engaged in a spirited conversation with NY Times science & technology journalist John Markoff at the Computer History (CHM) museum in Mt View, CA.  The discussion was part of the museum’s...

The Computer History Museum, Mountain View, California.

October 9, 2012

Exciting New Happenings at Computer History Museum: Blog, Social Media, Digital Repository, Exhibits & Events!

By Alan Weissberger

1.  The venerable Computer History Museum (CHM) in Mt View, CA recently launched a multimedia blog, with contributors from their seasoned staff of curators and subject matter experts.   CHM Prez John Hollar told me,  "This has been one of the most important initiatives CHM has taken in the area of...

An Apple iMac G3 — an icon of the design simplicity Ken Segall describes.

August 1, 2012

Ken Segall at CHM: The Obsession That Drives Apple's Success

By Alan Weissberger

A Sell Out/SRO crowd of over  400 people attended an outstanding Computer History Museum (CHM) talk by Ken Segall, author of the book, Insanely Simple:  The Obsession That Drives Apple's Success.   Mr. Segall was interviewed by Harry McCracken of Time magazine about his experiences with Steve Jobs...