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How many digital devices that were created in 1960 are still running today? Most digital devices back then were created using vacuum tubes. How many vacuum tu
by iamelgringo 16y ago
How many digital devices that were created in 1960 are still running today? Most digital devices back then were created using vacuum tubes. How many vacuum tube makers still exist? The military was buying vacuum tubes from Checkoslovakia in the 80's to keep the SAGE early warning system running. ref: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semi_Automatic_Ground_Environment http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semi_Automatic_Ground_Environme... That's because there were no American manufacturers of vacuum tubes after the late 70's.
Sure, we still have the technical specifications for how to build it, but manufacturing the individual components would be a giant pain in the ass.
- falien 16y agoYeah, but by then we'll be able to build everything with 3d printers, so all they'll need is the specs.
- nitrogen 16y agoI've read that, for some systems, they use microcontrollers and opamps to precisely emulate the original tube's current and temperature response characteristics.
- ElbertF 16y agoJust bury a laptop with it. They'll figure it out.
- extension 16y agoI suppose it depends on how much effort we assume will be expended reading this data. If humanity bands together and exploits every available technology, it should be a piece of cake. If it's just our grandkids doing it for kicks, that may present a real challenge. Regardless, I think it's likely that we will be better at reading 2010 media in 2060 than we are at reading 1960 media in 2010.