Brian Beckman: A Brief History of Computing

Posted By: Charles | Aug 31st, 2007 @ 11:07 AM | 25,438 Views | 24 Comments
I recently got the chance to sit down with Brian Beckman, physicist, programmer and Channel 9 celebrity, to learn about the history of computing. As you know, Brian is a great teacher. This lesson focuses on the evolution of computing devices and delves into some of the not-so-obvious uses of hand-held programmable calculators in the not-so-distant past.

Did you know that the 1975 Apollo Soyuz international space mission incorporated a programmable calculator, the HP-65, to calculate precise course corrections for the rendezvous and linking of Apollo and Soyuz space crafts? A calculator!! Indeed, programmable calculators are the predecessors of today's computers. But what came before the hand-held computing titans of the 70s? What was the first computer?

Brian has quite a collection of computing devices in his office, some of which, as expected, predate digital devices. We get a look at these and learn about their place in history.

Of course, Brian is a software developer with uncanny capability for designing accurate simulations (remember the Forza math interview?) so he decided to write an innovative application that simulates the HP-97, precisely. Brian works on the Data Programmability team (SQL, LINQ, Entity Framework, etc) so he implemented the HP-97's programmability and storage in ADO.NET and SQL. Brian will be producing a C9 Screencast to dig into what he did, so look for this showing up soon!

As always, it was a pleasure to converse with Brian and learn about how computers got to where they are today. It's a long interview, so get comfortable, relax, and learn from a master.
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#Aug 31st, 2007 @ 9:41 PM
Cavan
Cavan

I for one, would love to see a regular "Brian Beckman" show here on C9.

Just a quick note, tried to stream this and I was having some problems, then I went to download it. Isn't 1.2 gigs a bit large for an hours worth of video?

Now don't get me wrong, it's Brian Beckman, I truly feel like you could just film that guy ordering lunch and somehow I'd learn...., so I'll download it size be damned Smiley

#Sep 1st, 2007 @ 12:15 AM
Chadk
Chadk
excuse me - do you has a flavor?

More Brian Beckman! This is so awesome.

 

I cant thank both you, Charle, and Brian, for all good shows Big Smile

#Sep 1st, 2007 @ 10:50 AM
vesuvius
vesuvius
Das Glasperlenspiel
Excellent title, absolutely excellent!
#Sep 1st, 2007 @ 11:05 AM
GamlerHart
GamlerHart
Cool video...

"I for one, would love to see a regular "Brian Beckman" show here on C9."
At least, he has allready his own tag.
#Sep 1st, 2007 @ 1:16 PM
alwaysmc2
alwaysmc2
It's not stupid; It's advanced!
I loved that.
#Sep 1st, 2007 @ 7:10 PM
CRPietschmann
CRPietschmann
Chris Pietschmann
Awesome! I really loved this one. We need more!
#Sep 2nd, 2007 @ 11:07 AM
crollins
crollins
It's one of the shortest hours on Channel 9.
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