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Restored IBM 1401 compiles and runs FORTRAN II
- csense 9y agoI submitted this a couple months ago [1], let's hope it gets more traction this time. The enormous half-mechanical behemoths of the past had a majestic charm in their size and cost, the complexity, the sheer number of things going on that you can actually see and hear. Even though today's computers are vastly more powerful, they just aren't the same as this museum piece. It's also highly interesting to read the video description, which links to email exchanges between the museum restorers and the original developers of the ancient compiler in question, who are now in their 90s! [1] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=16311043 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=16311043
- Nition 9y agoThe sounds, all the moving parts, all the blinkenlights, are so good just to experience in working order. And thanks for pointing out the emails, as I hadn't noticed those when I originally watched the video.
- chmaynard 9y agoThe IBM 1401 seems like an odd choice for restoration because it wasn't really a general-purpose computer. If I were doing something like this, I probably would have chosen the IBM 1130.