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Play S1 E1The 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.
Cast: Stewart Cheifet
TV-GHDCC
26 episodes
1. Mainframes to Minis to MicrosCovers the history and ancestry of today's (1984) PC. Demos: HP 150 PC, Computer Museum, TX-1 Computer http://archive.org/details/MainFram1984TV-GCC23minFeb 5, 1984
2. Integrated SoftwareThe new breed of integrated software suites and the visual interface. Demos: Apple LisaVisiOn, DESQ http://archive.org/details/Integrat1984TV-GCCFeb 12, 1984
3. Computer MusicThe 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/Computer1984TV-GCCFeb 19, 1984
4. Computer SimulationsThe 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/Simulati1984TV-GCCFeb 26, 1984
5. Operating SystemsA 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/Operatin1984TV-GCCMar 4, 1984
6. Word ProcessingA 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/WordProc1984TV-GCCMar 5, 1984
7. Computer SecuritySecurity issues related to the world's increasing dependence on information in computer networks. Demos: Digi-Link, Add & Answer Verification http://archive.org/details/Computer1984_2TV-GCCMar 12, 1984
8. RoboticsRobotic hardware and software and robotics based applications. Demos: Hero I Robot, Teach Mover Robot http://archive.org/details/Robotics1984TV-GCCMar 19, 1984
9. Speech SynthesisA 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/SpeechSy1984TV-GCCMar 26, 1984
10. Local Area NetworksConnecting computers, peripherals, broadband and baseband. Demos: Centralized Intelligence, Distributed Intelligence, Local Area Network http://archive.org/details/Networki1984TV-GCCApr 2, 1984- 11. Microchip TechnologyHistory and development of the microprocessor. Demos: AMD 2901 (4 bit), AMD 29116 (16 bit) http://archive.org/details/Microchi1984TV-GCCApr 5, 1984
- 12. Business ApplicationsA look at the popular new software programs for business. Demos: Lotus 123, SuperCalc 3PC Talk, CrossTalk, IBM Professional Office System http://archive.org/details/Business1984TV-GCCApr 9, 1984
- 13. Storage DevicesFloppy 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/StorageD1984TV-GCCApr 16, 1984
- 14. PrintersPrinter 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/Printers1984TV-GCCApr 23, 1984
- 15. Database SoftwareMainframe and network databases for computer users. Demos: The Source, CompuServe, Dialog Information Services http://archive.org/details/Database1984TV-GCCApr 30, 1984
- 16. Computer GraphicsA 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_6TV-GCCMay 7, 1984
- 17. Decision Support SystemsExpert 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/Decision1984TV-GCCMay 14, 1984
- 18. Computer ErgonomicsA 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_3TV-GCCMay 21, 1984
- 19. Programming LanguagesA 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/Programm1984TV-GCCJun 25, 1984
- 20. Software UtilitiesNo synopsis available yet.TV-GCCJul 2, 1984
- 21. Computer GamesComputers 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_4TV-GCCSep 28, 1984
- 22. Computer EntrepreneursA 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_5TV-GCCOct 5, 1984
- 23. Fifth Generation ComputersJapan'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/FifthGen1984TV-GCCOct 12, 1984
- 24. Super ComputersAn 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_supercomputersTV-GCCOct 19, 1984
- 25. Artificial IntelligenceAn 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_intelligenceTV-GCCOct 26, 1984
- 26. Computers in EducationAn 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_2TV-GCCNov 2, 1984
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Computer Chronicles
★ 7.7/10198419 seasons491 episodesEnded
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.
Creators and cast
- Created by
- Stewart Cheifet
- Cast
- Stewart Cheifet
- Studio
- KCSM, WITF, KTEH
Maturity rating
TV-GCheck the rating before watching with younger viewers.
Audio languages
English
Where to watch
Not currently listed on any streaming, rental or purchase service.
