The Secret Life of Machines

The Secret Life of the Word Processor

Directed by Frank Prendergast
S3 • E3    Mar 3, 1993
The name 'Word Processor' was invented by IBM. Their first machines were very difficult to use because they had no screen. A draft version was typed and stored on a magnetic card. After correcting the draft it could be automatically retyped, stopping wherever a change was needed.

Episode Contents:

Models: A bag full of LEDs are soldered to the pins of a microprocessor to show the massive switching going on inside.

Machines: Some befuddled computer shopping automatons. A huge sloppy hand held ink jet print head by Rex.

Guests: Various pre-qwerty antique typewriters. A 70's era micro with punchcard storage.

Films: Old footage of early computers. Some goofy old 70's promotional video.

Extro: A huge tractor feed spewing robot made of old computer hardware.

Where to Watch The Secret Life of the Word Processor

Cast of The Secret Life of the Word Processor

  • Tim HunkinHimself - Presenter
  • Rex GarrodHimself - Co-Presenter
  • Frank PrendergastDirector
  • Tim HunkinWriter
  • Elizabeth QueenanProducer

 

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