Advent of Computing

The podcast dives into the fascinating history of Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) and its role in digital audio. Discover the groundbreaking work of Alec Reeves in 1937 that laid the groundwork for sound digitization. Explore the advantages and challenges of audio transmission from telegraphs to modern technology. Hear about the WWII-era SIGSALY system that used PCM for secure communication and its massive infrastructure demands. Finally, learn how early pioneers like Max Mathews pushed the boundaries of digital music synthesis.

Discover the unexpected collaboration between Apple and Microsoft that began with Applesoft BASIC. This software became essential for the Apple II, helping both companies thrive. Learn about Steve Wozniak’s role as he developed BASIC and improved the Apple II’s user experience. Explore the challenges Microsoft faced while adapting to the 6502 and how a crucial license agreement turned the tide for them. Uncover the legacy of Applesoft and its influence on the home computer market.

The 1980s were a turbulent and fast-moving decade for the video game industry. There were huge success stories, rapid advancements in technology, and the North American Video Game Crash. Caught up in all of this was an ambitious machine called the Vectrex. In an era dominated by pixelated graphics the Vectrex brought higher resolution vector images and early 3D to market. But ultimately it would be swept away during the market's crash. Today we are taking a dive into the development of the Vectrex, what made it different, and how it survives into the modern day. Like the show? Then why not head over and support me on Patreon. Perks include early access to future episodes, and stickers: https://www.patreon.com/adventofcomputing

Explore the fascinating roots of hyperlinks, tracing back to the 1930s concept of Memex—an ambitious machine that never came to life. Delve into the challenges of managing information, dating back to early U.S. Census efforts. Discover Vannevar Bush's pioneering ideas that envisioned machines reflecting human thought processes. Lastly, learn why Memex, despite its innovative design and potential for linking information, remained a dream, shaping future internet concepts instead.

The floppy disk is one of the most iconic pieces of technology. While not in use in the modern day there was a period of 40 years where the floppy disk was synonymous with data storage. Today we pick up where we finished in the last episode, with the rise and fall of the 5 1/4 inch disk. We will be looking at the creation and spread of the 3 1/2 inch floppy disk. How did Sony, a non-player in the computer market, create this run away success? And how did Apple contribute to it's rise? Like the show? Then why not head over and support me on Patreon. Perks include early access to future episodes, and stickers: https://www.patreon.com/adventofcomputing Important dates in this episode: 1980: Sony Invents Microfloppy Disk 1983: Apple Builds Prototype MAC with 3 1/2 Inch Floppy

The floppy disk was a ubiquitous technology for nearly 40 years. From mainframes to home computers, the plastic disk was everywhere. And in the decades it was around there were very few changes made to how it fundamentally worked. So how did it get so popular? What made the floppy disk so flexible? And how did it finally fall out of favor? In this episode we will look at the technology's early days. Like the show? Then why not head over and support me on Patreon. Perks include early access to future episodes, and stickers: https://www.patreon.com/adventofcomputing Important dates in this episode: 1971: 8 Inch Floppy Disk(Minnow) Created at IBM 1976: Shugart Invents 5 1/4 Inch Floppy Disk

Our modern world is full of software, it's what makes everything tick. The sheer amount of code that goes into something like keeping the internet running is staggering. Programming isn't the easiest profession, but there was a time when it was much much harder. It took a huge shift in thinking, and some impressive feats of software development, to make complicated programming possible. And that shift started in the 1950s. Like the show? Then why not head over and support me on Patreon. Perks include early access to future episodes, and stickers: https://www.patreon.com/adventofcomputing Important dates in this episode: 1951: Grace Hopper Creates A-0 Compiler 1954: John Backus Starts FORTRAN Project at IBM 1957: First FORTARN Compiler Ships

Many video games today make use of randomized content, some more than others. It may seem like an obvious feature, but it turns out that procedural generation didn't really catch on in video games until the 1980 release of Rogue. The game itself never saw much commercial success, but was wildly popular among UNIX users. In this episode we look at Rogue, how it was created, and the legacy that we still see today. Like the show? Then why not head over and support me on Patreon. Perks include early access to future episodes, and stickers: https://www.patreon.com/adventofcomputing Important dates in this episode: 1980: Rogue Written for PDP/11 1984: Rogue Ported to PC, Macintosh, Atari ST

Explore the fascinating journey of Intel's 8008 microprocessor, the foundation of the x86 family. Discover how a groundbreaking terminal from 1969 inspired its creation and the challenges faced during its development. Learn about Intel's early business struggles and how they seized the opportunity with CTC’s ambitious project. The 8008's technical advantages helped fuel the early personal computer revolution, powering innovative machines that blurred the lines between terminals and PCs.

In this mini episode we will look at the Y2K bug, and some of the recipes it spawned. That's right, we are talking about Y2K cookbooks! You can find all more Y2K compliant food here: https://web.archive.org/web/19991012032855/http://y2kkitchen.com/ Like the show? Then why not head over and support me on Patreon. Perks include early access to future episodes, and stickers: https://www.patreon.com/adventofcomputing Important dates in this episode: 1999: Y2K Kitchen Hits Shelves