BC

WHAT DID WE DO BEFORE WE HAD COMPUTERS?

How did we ever get along without the computer? Almost all products today, it seems, has one or more “computer chips” embedded within to program the some of the operation. There was a time, not so long ago, when such was not the case? Does that mean that the functions that our new machines do was not done? In some cases, the answer is, “Yes.” However, in many cases, we did the functions, but not as easily, or as handily. Many of times the solutions to the problems of yore were clever and other times they challenged Rube Goldberg by their complexity.

The intent of this web site is to collect and present to those interested in such things, an agglomeration of devices that performed functions simple and complex in that era, which we now choose to call “B.C.” -- before computers.

We place before the visitor a collection of items that we feel are of interest and suggest that you inform us of other items of a like kind that come to your mind and might be of interest to others. These offerings from you can be either original, by that we mean that you have written a description of your own, or possibly you have seen the description written elsewhere and are submitting a copy. In this case, we would need for your to cite the author’s name and the source where you found the item before we would incorporate it here. Items can be simple or complex; the only criteria for publication is that they describe the situation “B.C.” and we think that others would be interested.

All items posted here are done so relying on the good faith of the person offering the information and we do not in anyway imply that the information is accurate. Content is for the enjoyment and entertainment of our readers and is not intended for the construction and operation of any device or object. If our visitors utilize any of the material presented here in any way in any form of publication, we expect that they will give proper attribution for that material.

In this regard, we gratefully acknowledge the John Hart Studio for the “B.C.” artwork and invite you to visit this studio. Click the link below:

Let’s Get Started

I suppose that we need to define what we mean by “computer.” We can mean before the “home” computer, before the “digital” computer, before the “analog” computer, before the slide rule, which is certainly a type of computer in its own way. Since the purpose is mostly for recreation and not to develop a number of scientific papers on the subject, I don’t think that it really matters all that much where we draw the line. If the line is between “analog” and “digital” computers, there will still be lots of things that the 21st Century adult will not realize about the period called B.C. The digital computer certainly made the analog computer obsolete in many ways, so this comparison is still a very valid one for the intent of this web site.

Typical, simple examples of the present vs. The past include:

The Kindle vs. A book;

A manual phone dial vs. the stored numbers in our phones. This item went through an interim device, however. At one time, I had a “phone dialer” that consisted of a magnetic tape machine with a tape about 10-inches wide. Down one side was a column where one could write the names. There was a slider, similar to that used on the old address index that flipped open on the desk. To use this machine, one wrote the name of the person on the “name” column and moved the index control to that location. Then you put it in the “Record” mode and dialed the number. The recorder tape moved and the number was recorded as either pulses or tones on one of many tracks on the magnetic tape. To dial the number, the machine was put in the “Dial” mode and the “Dial” button was pressed. When this was done, the tape track was read and the sounds transmitted down the telephone line to the exchange, where the call was completed. As I recall, the machine could hold 12 to 15 numbers.

Also of interest to any visitor of this site would be early solutions to problems that are still using an old method even in this age of the supercomputer. An example is the use of the Dalton E-6B Aerial Navigation Computer by pilots the world over, in spite of there being a number of hand-held electronic calculators that can come up with the answers in seconds. This application could be an eye opener to the modern geek. For this reason, we will try to show some of the old ways which still have utility.

If you find this subject of interest, should you come across any items that are appropriate to the subject of this web site, I hope that you will inform me by giving me references or links to such material. In addition, I encourage your comments and if you would like to join in as a “regular,” send me your “Visitor’s Profile” for posting. We hope in this way to collect some “pen pals” for future correspondence. Click here: Webmaster

A CAVEAT: Where we can, we will provide references for material published here, but in some cases, we may not be able to do so. If there is material here that you can validate with a reference, we would appreciate your help. Likewise, if you find anything amiss in what is posted here, please let us know.

The impetus for starting this collection of things of interest to me, was a feeling that we are all so engrossed with the marvels of this age, that we tend to forget what happened before that led us to this point in time.

Many of the items that I describe, I do so from memories of years ago when we had no computers to assist us in our work. It is my intent to entertain, as well as to inform. You will have to be the judges of how well I have succeeded.

Keith Smith

Canyon Country, California

January 24, 2010