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From: jeffl@gazette.patch.tandem.com (lanam_jeff)
Subject: Re: Retro-Computing!
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Date: Thu, 13 Apr 1995 22:22:57 GMT
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X-Disclaimer: This article is not the opinion of Tandem Computers, Inc.

Bill Schultz (guru@deltanet.com) wrote:

: Actually, sound was used to monitor the operations of a number of second
: generation computers.  I specifically remember the CDC 1604 computers used by
: the Navy had a speaker wired to the accumulator (or someplace like that) so
: that the computer would "sing" as it computed.  The computer was nicknamed
: "the bird."  A good operator could be changing tapes and listening to what the
: computer was doing, and on repetitive jobs, never need to go near the console
: because you could always tell from the sound what it was looking for.

: Those things were designed circa 1962.

I was told by someone who worked on them that there was a program, which
required a certain configuration of printers, tape drives and magnetic
drums (yes, children!), which would play "The Stars and Stripes Forever",
using the speaker on the "T register" as the melody and the peripherals
as percussion.  I would pay a LOT for film of that, though I am sure
it does not exist.


--
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Jeff Lanam                        lanam_jeff@tandem.com
Tandem Computers, Inc.
Of course, these are my views.  I'm not paid enough to express those
of my employer!
