Engelbart Demo- 1968
::The Woodstock of Computing::
I thought this was a fascinating video. I liked that we could actually see and hear Engelbart, instead of simply reading his words on the page. So much more of his personality is conveyed through this video- his passion for computer innovations, his humble attitude.
This recorded presentation was originally given to a live audience, and at certain points we (the modern viewer) can hear the audience react to Engelbart’s ideas. A lot of the technology he mentioned eventually did come into wide use- as one girl commented last time in class, it seems like Engelbart was the “Nostradamus of technology.” His “Augmented human intellect research institute” came up with the concept of everyone using computers at work to organize and manipulate tasks. Obviously, during the 30 years since, this goal has been realized. His old-school computer demos about shopping lists and staff members visionary at the time.
Not only were his demos on personal computers prophetic, his ideas for the internet also astonished me. Engelbart foresaw, NLS, an online system, as, “A vehicle for helping humans to operate within the domain of complex information structures,” aka, deviating from linear organization. What happened next really wowed me: using a computer with primative-looking hardware, Engelbart basically put his colleague Bill on webcam! That kind of thing is a novelty, even today- I have never used one, and this is 2008. At first, poor Bill seemed a little nervous over being broadcasted, so Engelbart humorously broke the ice by chiding: “…you’re silent? Don’t worry Bill, there’s nobody here but a large audience!”
Basically, I wish I could call up Engelbart like Dr. Campbell and leave a bubbly “fanboy” message too: it’s just so cool that he is talking about such complicated technology, while maintaining a modest, friendly tone to his listeners. It is clear that he truly has humanity’s best interests at heart- he isn’t merely trying to impress us, or create technology for the sake of being famous.
February 4th, 2008 at 6:09 pm
[...] Ecumen wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerpt [...]
February 6th, 2008 at 7:27 pm
I don’t know if I would call Engelbart a saint who looks out for humanity’s best interests. Just because he isn’t widely known doesn’t mean he didn’t want to become famous. In fact, fame would have done a lot of good for Engelbart, and I think he knows that. His ideas are radical, and ingenious, something that could revolutionize the way a majority of people think. Had he fame, perhaps more people would have followed his message rather than tune in every weeknight to American Idol. I’ll write a blog about this very topic and elaborate more.