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The Computer Chronicles was an American television series, broadcast during 1981-2002 on Public Broadcasting Service public television, which documented the rise of the personal computer from its infancy to the immense market at the turn of the 21st century. The series was created in the Fall of 1981, by Stewart Cheifet, then the station manager of the College of San Mateo's KCSM-TV, initially broadcast as a local weekly series. Jim Warren was its founding host for its 1981-1982 season. It aired continuously from 1981 to 2002 with Cheifet co-hosting most of its later seasons. Gary Kildall served as co-host for six years providing insights and commentary on products as well as discussions on the future of the ever-expanding personal computer sphere.
Themes
Episodes
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- E1 Mainframes to Minis to MicrosNext upFeb 5, 1984 · 23 min
Synopsis
Covers the history and ancestry of today's (1984) PC. Demos: HP 150 PC, Computer Museum, TX-1 Computer http://archive.org/details/MainFram1984
- E2 Integrated SoftwareFeb 12, 1984
Synopsis
The new breed of integrated software suites and the visual interface. Demos: Apple LisaVisiOn, DESQ http://archive.org/details/Integrat1984
- E3 Computer MusicFeb 19, 1984
Synopsis
The computer as a creative tool used to make, display and store music. Guests: John Chowning, Stanford; Will Harvey, Electronic Arts; Ellen Lapham, Syntauri; Gary Kildall, DRI Products/Demos: Music Construction Set, Alpha Syntauri Keyboard, Casiotone, Vocal Synthesizer, MIT Experimental Music Studio, Stanford Center for Computer Music. Originally broadcast in 1984. Copyright 1984 Stewart Cheifet Productions. https://archive.org/details/Computer1984
- E4 Computer SimulationsFeb 26, 1984
Synopsis
The use of computers to simulate various real-world environments for military, entertainment and architectural applications. Guests: Gary Kildall, Digital Research; Frank Lewandowski, Singer-Link; Steve Harrison, Skidmore Owings; Bruce Artwick, IBM Products/Demos: Flight Simulator, Military Flight Simulator, DRAFT Architecture Simulator http://archive.org/details/Simulati1984
- E5 Operating SystemsMar 4, 1984
Synopsis
A review of competing operating systems and their affect on software development. Guests: Gary Kildall, SRI; Tony Fanning, Hewlett Packard; Jean Yates, Yates Ventures; Bruce Tognizinni, Apple; Herb Lechner, SRI Products/Demos: CP/MUNIXXenix, MS/DOS, Apple IIe & AppleTalk. Originally broadcast in March 1984. Copyright 1984 Stewart Cheifet Productions. http://www.archive.org/details/Operatin1984
- E6 Word ProcessingMar 5, 1984
Synopsis
A review of the new generation of word processors. Demos: Word, Vision, Writer's Work Bench Text Editor, Word Plus, Punctuation & StyleWordStar http://archive.org/details/WordProc1984
- E7 Computer SecurityMar 12, 1984
Synopsis
Security issues related to the world's increasing dependence on information in computer networks. Demos: Digi-Link, Add & Answer Verification http://archive.org/details/Computer1984_2
- E8 RoboticsMar 19, 1984
Synopsis
Robotic hardware and software and robotics based applications. Demos: Hero I Robot, Teach Mover Robot http://archive.org/details/Robotics1984
- E9 Speech SynthesisMar 26, 1984
Synopsis
A look at speech synthesis and speech recognition technologies. Demos: Minolta Talking Camera, Texas Instruments Speak & Spell, Epsom Speech Plus Computer, IBM Votan V-5000 http://archive.org/details/SpeechSy1984
- E10 Local Area NetworksApr 2, 1984
Synopsis
Connecting computers, peripherals, broadband and baseband. Demos: Centralized Intelligence, Distributed Intelligence, Local Area Network http://archive.org/details/Networki1984
- E11 Microchip TechnologyApr 5, 1984
Synopsis
History and development of the microprocessor. Demos: AMD 2901 (4 bit), AMD 29116 (16 bit) http://archive.org/details/Microchi1984
- E12 Business ApplicationsApr 9, 1984
Synopsis
A look at the popular new software programs for business. Demos: Lotus 123, SuperCalc 3PC Talk, CrossTalk, IBM Professional Office System http://archive.org/details/Business1984
- E13 Storage DevicesApr 16, 1984
Synopsis
Floppy drives, hard drives, and bubble memory. Demos: 5 ¼ inch floppy drive, 3 ½ inch floppy drive, RCA CED videodisk, 3680 1.2 GB spindle disk http://archive.org/details/StorageD1984
- E14 PrintersApr 23, 1984
Synopsis
Printer technology from daisy wheel to dot matrix to laser. Demos: Diablo Daisy Wheel Printer, Diablo Thermal Printer, Diablo Series C Ink Jet Printer, Xerox Color Laser Printer http://archive.org/details/Printers1984
- E15 Database SoftwareApr 30, 1984
Synopsis
Mainframe and network databases for computer users. Demos: The Source, CompuServe, Dialog Information Services http://archive.org/details/Database1984
- E16 Computer GraphicsMay 7, 1984
Synopsis
A review of computer art, graphics capabilities of computers and professional computer graphics systems. Guests: Herb Lechner, SRI International; Don McKinney, Silicon Graphics; Michael Arent, Freelance Artist; Kevin Prince, MCI/Quantel; Ann Chase, Freelance Artist Products/Demos: MCI Quantel PaintBox, Silicon Graphics 3D Animation, Apple IIe. Originally broadcast in 1984. Copyright 1984 Stewart Cheifet Productions. https://archive.org/download/Computer1984_6
- E17 Decision Support SystemsMay 14, 1984
Synopsis
Expert systems software and artificial intelligence applications. Guests: Gary Kildall, DRI; Mike Thoma, Mgmt Decisn Sys; Steve Weyl, Syntelligence; Jim Chapman, Human Edge SW Products/Demos: Strategic Simulations Epidemic, Prospector, CompuStat, Easy Scan, Sales Edge. Copyright 1984 Stewart Cheifet Productions https://archive.org/details/Decision1984
- E18 Computer ErgonomicsMay 21, 1984
Synopsis
A look at health problems related to computer use such as video display radiation and repetitive stress injuries. Guests: Herb Lechner, SRI International; Wanda Smith, Hewlett Packard; Karen Kessel, Koffler Group; Susan Kare, Apple; Jerry Manock, Apple. Products/Demos: Apple Macintosh, HP Orion Computer. https://archive.org/details/Computer1984_3
- E19 Programming LanguagesJun 25, 1984
Synopsis
A review of current popular programming languages. Guests: Gary Kildall, DRI; Paul Grady, Microfocus; Dave Eisenberg, Apple; Elizabeth Rather, Forth Products/Demos: COBOLFORTHFORTH Graphics, PASCAL, Apple's Personal COBOL. http://archive.org/details/Programm1984
- E20 Software UtilitiesJul 2, 1984
- E21 Computer GamesSep 28, 1984
Synopsis
Computers are creating an entirely new platform for playing games, between humans or between humans and computers. Guests: Trip Hawkins, Electronic Arts; Bill Budge, Game Designer; Chris Crawford, Atari; Steve Kitchen, Activision Products/Demos: Pinball Construction Set, One on One, Space Shuttle, Excaliber, Larry Bird Basketball. Originally broadcast in September 1984. Copyright 1984 Stewart Cheifet Productions. https://archive.org/details/Computer1984_4
- E22 Computer EntrepreneursOct 5, 1984
Synopsis
A look at the people who are driving the personal computer industry. Guests: Gary Kildall, Digital Research; Steve Wozniak, Apple; Adam Osborne, Osborne Computer; Lore Harp, Vector Graphic; Gene Amdahl, Trilogy Systems. http://archive.org/details/Computer1984_5
- E23 Fifth Generation ComputersOct 12, 1984
Synopsis
Japan's fifth generation computer project and a look at the next phase of PC platforms. Shot in Japan. Guests: Gary Kildall, Digital Research; Admiral Bobby Ray Inman, MCC; Ed Feigenbaum, Author; Dr. Hideo Aiso, Keio University; Dr. Yukio Mizuno, NEC; Dr. Hiroshi Kashiwagi, NSP; Dr. Kuzuhiro Fuchi, ICOT; Dr. Tohru Moto-Aka, Univ Tokyo Products/Demos: KIP System, Pattern Matching, Inference Machine, Prologue http://archive.org/details/FifthGen1984
- E24 Super ComputersOct 19, 1984
Synopsis
An early look at supercomputers in the United States and Japan. Featured guests include George Michael, head of computer research of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, John Repp of Control Data Corporation, Dr. Hideo Aiso, Professor at Keio University in Japan, Dr. Hiroshi Kashiwagi, Chairman of Japan's National Supercomputer Project, and Dr. Yukio Mizuno, Senior Vice President of NEC. The program also features on location coverage in Japan of the country's supercomputer projects including the Hitachi S810-20 at the University of Tokyo and the Electro Technical Laboratory in Tsukuba, Japan. http://archive.org/details/CC126_supercomputers
- E25 Artificial IntelligenceOct 26, 1984
Synopsis
An early look at artificial Intelligence. Guests includes Edward Feigenbaum of Stanford University, Nils Nilsson of the AI Center at SRI International, Tom Kehler of Intellegenetics, Herb Lechner of SRI, and John McCarthy of Stanford. Featured demonstrations include Inferential Knowledge Engineering and the programming language LISP. http://archive.org/details/CC1024_artificial_intelligence
- E26 Computers in EducationNov 2, 1984
Synopsis
An early look at how computers are being used in formal education. Guests include Professor Patrick Suppes of Stanford University and Glenn Kleiman, author of "Brave New Schools". Includes demonstrations of the LOGO and BASIC languages. Guest host is Herb Lechner of SRI International. http://archive.org/details/education_2
Cast & crew
Created by Stewart Cheifet
Stewart CheifetImages · 2
