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We need to be reminded that once we did great things. I worked at MIT Instrumentation Lab on a compiler for the guidance software for the moon missions. My co
by russell 14y ago
We need to be reminded that once we did great things.
I worked at MIT Instrumentation Lab on a compiler for the guidance software for the moon missions. My contribution was insignificant, but I am still proud to have been part of it. My only regret was that I never made it to Florida to watch a Saturn V take off.
- kragen 14y agoRussell as in Steve Russell? Because, if so, I think you've done things much more significant than land men on the moon.
- deleted 14y ago[deleted]
- Monotoko 14y agoI had to write an assignment about Steve Russell just the other week... if that is indeed you, hats off and I commend you for your work. Small world.. :)
- deleted 14y ago[deleted]
- wensing 14y agoLooks like it: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=3519747 http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=3519747 and other comments verify.
- gruseom 14y agoI noticed that too, but Steve Russell wrote the first LISP interpreter on the IBM 704 in 1959 (http://www.iwriteiam.nl/HaCAR_CDR.html#Steve http://www.iwriteiam.nl/HaCAR_CDR.html#Steve). The IBM 7094 came out in 1962 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_7090 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_7090). So I'm betting that our russell isn't Steve. He's a perfectly good russell nonetheless :)
- russell 14y agoSorry, I'm a much less famous Russell (Salsbury that is). The only connection between us is that I did play Spacewar on a PDP-1.
- kragen 14y agoIt's okay. You sound awesome anyway ;)
- mkramlich 14y agoExactly. Spacewar!
- opminion 14y agoIf it is the case that the space race was a byproduct of the cold war, then there isn't much reason to feel nostalgic.
- EliRivers 14y agoI disagree. Firstly, whilst the ends do not justify the means, this was an incredible technological and cultural achievement. Humanity's first, faltering step out of the cradle. Secondly, two great warrior tribes holding enough weaponry to kill every human on the planet many, many times over hold guns to each other's heads... and then divert competition from violence into technological achievement. The message no longer just "I'm best because I'm stronger" but now also smarter, more technologically advanced. Means of competition that does actually give the world a brighter future, rather than just ending it for the other tribe.