User Reviews

Although devices which can be considered computers date back to the 1940s, most people I would say still think of them as a recent invention, due to how advanced they are. Computers can do many things and complete complex operations in less than a millionth of a second. This film from the early 60s demonstrates how even these gigantic mainframe computers that take up half a room, that look primitive to modern eyes, were once state of the art. Early in the short, we see how humans have used computers for thousands of years, though not in the way you would expect. Counting using your fingers can be considered computing. The digits on your hand are where the term "digital computer" comes from. We also see ancient inventions such as the abacus, which make counting easier. The film goes on to explain how a computer is able to solve a problem using data provided to it, as long as it has something to do with math. Even things such as designing the seeker for a missile or predicting the weather involve math, and can thus be undertaken by a computer. Computers have programs written for them, which is a list of operations the computer can perform in order to arrive at a solution. An input medium, such as a typewriter or punchcard, is utilized in order to feed data into the computer, which is written in a language the computer can readily comprehend. This language meant for computers is called binary, and is still used today because of its simplicity. The film explains how the components in the computer used to solve problems, such as vacuum tubes, have two state functions, and use binary to switch from one state to the other. For example, the tubes can be switched off and on. However, the nature of the binary language and our number system which uses a total of 10 digits do not work with each other, as there are way more numbers than necessary. The only numbers needed to make the computer carry out a program are the very first two: 0 and 1. In binary, these numbers are used because you can make any other number using just them. In addition, devices that can be turned off and on (such as a lightbulb) can be taught to "count" in binary. Inputting the number 0 will turn the bulb off, whereas entering the number 1 will activate it. An interesting fact about binary is how you can insert a punch card into a computer, and the computer will be able to tell where the binary number 1 is supposed to be via the location of the hole punches. Areas that don't have holes represent 0. Towards the end of the short, the narrator notes how truly impressive computers are. While it's true that they can do almost any task, they're not able to act without a human's permission, as machines have no souls, imaginations, or personalities. In a long list of films I've seen lately, this one, while short, is quite interesting. Computers have been around for a long time by this point, and after watching this, hopefully you'll understand that they'll be around for centuries. Everybody seems to like the idea of having a machine do work for you, especially menial things that have a droning effect on your mind. Because of this, I'm confident computers will continue to assist humanity for as long as time continues.