YouTube: BBC "Horizon" 1978: "Now the chips are down" documentary - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: iamwhoiam
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2012, 03:01:06 am
content: I just found this fascinating BBC documentary from 1978, about silicon chips. I hope you enjoy it:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL994C8925848790D4&feature=plcp

author: orbiter
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2012, 11:51:25 am
content: Amazing how fast things start to look soooo old. Thanks for the links.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2012, 12:46:23 pm
content: LOL at the bit in part-one where the machine tests each IC on a silicon wafer(starts at 12minutes 4 seconds)

author: GeoffS
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 20, 2012, 01:29:53 pm
content: Brings back a few memories of working on pre microprocessor computers. No microchips in the mainframes I worked on, except for pretty basic 74xx style logic (ECL).The first microprocessors I worked on were in petrol pumps. The incentive for designing these was that the existing mechanical calculators on the pumps could handle the rapidly increasing fuel prices.Make me feel very old

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2012, 02:30:42 pm
content: Quote from: GeoffS on April 20, 2012, 01:29:53 pmNow the petrol prices rise so fast it needs an 8 core chip to calculate the price in rise in real time as you fill the tank.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2012, 02:32:52 pm
content: It's ironic they predicted that automation would put everyone out of a job. In fact it was the outsourcing of manufacturing to countries with lower labour costs that put everyone out of a job, and automation was the one thing that could save us.

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2012, 04:06:00 pm
content: No need to work and free power was the prediction of the 1950's and 60's 70's. Now its cant work and power costs the earth. so much for crystal balls.

author: quantumfall
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2012, 06:14:03 pm
content: Quote from: G7PSK on April 20, 2012, 04:06:00 pm(Rant)We might have new phones and TVs, but I know we have gone backwards in many ways since then. Surveillance, Political lies, Instant fines for anything, (All about revenue) no tolerance. Quangos and committees for everything. Vetting just to do your job, again and again and again add infinitum. /(Rant)Its being so cheerful that makes me happy

author: david77
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 21, 2012, 04:43:27 pm
content: Another BBC documentary on the history of computers:https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=bbc+history+computer&oq=bb&aq=0p&aqi=p-p1g9&aql=&gs_nf=1&gs_l=youtube-psuggest.1.0.35i39j0l9.177857.178332.0.182457.2.2.0.0.0.0.564.689.0j1j5-1.2.0.

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 22, 2012, 01:40:49 am
content: Quote from: david77 on April 21, 2012, 04:43:27 pmAnd then there's Jeremy Clarkson's Inventions that changed the world : computers

author: slateraptor
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 22, 2012, 02:37:30 am
content: 10:14 into part 3:QuoteI chuckled at the matter-of-fact tone of the narrator.

author: Mint.
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 22, 2012, 02:46:53 am
content: Not a bad documentary I liked the first two parts, but the last part was very boring in my opinion.

author: david77
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 22, 2012, 04:51:41 am
content: @Mint: There are nine parts in total.Quote from: Dave.S on April 22, 2012, 01:40:49 amI like Clarkson when he does his docus. Pity he hasn't done one in a while, I guess playing the idiot on Top Gear pays better.

author: Zad
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 22, 2012, 05:12:52 am
content: Quote from: slateraptor on April 22, 2012, 02:37:30 amQuite right too. It isn't an opinion, it is a facthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ada_lovelaceWe didn't invent the algorithm though, that happened centuries before in Persia.

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 22, 2012, 08:45:24 am
content: Quote from: david77 on April 22, 2012, 04:51:41 amCertainly , his docus show he isn't the guy on TG ! But then again , if they weren't playing what they are doing right now TG would be downright boringHis docus alongside with May's and Hammond's are the best in the world !

author: Setar2k11
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 22, 2012, 09:35:43 am
content: Quote from: Dave.S on April 22, 2012, 08:45:24 amcorrection Brian Cox's are the best in the world.....

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 22, 2012, 09:55:55 am
content: I still find the dudes from TG makes the best docus ... not a big fan of brian cox ...