The 'defense calculator' and ‘electronic brain’ from IBM

© Mark Ollig

Thomas J. Watson Jr., President of IBM, revealed to shareholders on Apr. 29, 1952. the company was constructing “the most advanced, most flexible high-speed computer in the world.”

What later became the IBM 701 Electronic Data Processing Machine was first known during its early development as the “defense calculator.”

It was so named because at the start of the Korean War in 1950, IBM’s chairman, Thomas J. Watson Sr., asked the US Government how his company could be of support.

The government replied by asking IBM to build them an advanced computing system capable of designing aircraft, assisting in nuclear development, engineering new armaments, and performing complex calculations.

IBM then literally put pencil to paper and began designing the IBM 701 computer in January 1951.

The US Government, in addition to private industry, would use the new computer.

“We convinced ourselves that by taking a giant step toward this far-out high-performance machine, our customers and we would benefit in many ways,” said Jerrier “Jerry” Haddad, who co-designed and assisted in developing the IBM 701 computer.

Haddad also held an electrical engineering degree from Cornell University.

Constructed in IBM’s Poughkeepsie, NY plant, where its parts were assembled using production-line assembly techniques, the IBM 701 became the world’s first mass-produced computer.

This electronic digital computer had an input and output system, various memory devices, digital arithmetic-processing components, and a well-organized control center.

The IBM 701 computer’s cabinet-bay wiring was neatly cabled using modular pluggable ends. It uses various physical devices for storing and retrieving information.

The computer’s internal processing operations were performed using binary 1’s and 0’s.

I was surprised to learn that the computer used electrostatic glass tubes to hold binary information.

The IBM 701 contained 7 Williams-Kilburn electrostatic data-storage tubes, each capable of holding 1,024 bits of data totaling 73,728 bits with the capacity of storing 2,048 words using 36-bits when the logical wording address system operated with two 18-bit words.

An electrical charge pattern maintained the stability of the data held within the tubes.

The IBM 701’s memory used four magnetic-coated cylinder drums to read and write 8,000 digits per second.

Four cabinet bays, each equipped with magnetic-tape drive units, held more than 8 million digits per individual tape-reel.

The magnetic-tape unit’s read and write speed was 12,500 digits per second.

In addition to vacuum tubes, several thousand germanium-diode electronic components were used inside the IBM 701 computer system.

The data from the IBM 701 was output to a paper printer at a rate of 150 lines per minute.

As far as processing capabilities, for 1952, the IBM 701 computer performed exceptionally well.

Information from IBM’s 701 webpage states this computer could perform an average of 14,000 mathematical operations a second.

An operator managed the IBM 701 by using buttons, keys, and switches from its control center panel to input data instruction entries of the computer’s memory, accumulator, and multiplier-quotient registers. In addition, the operator panel displayed many visual indicator activity lights.

Two power frames and a power distribution unit provided the electricity for the IBM 701 data processing computer.

In April of 1952, an IBM 701 development machine computing model was installed at the IBM office at Poughkeepsie, NY. A photo showed its frame cabinet neatly organized with the cabling hidden from view.

The photo of the IBM 701 in the Poughkeepsie office can be seen here: https://bit.ly/3BOhebn.

Nearly 70 years ago, on May 21, 1952, IBM branch managers were informed the ‘defense calculator’ would now be referred to as the IBM Electronic Data Processing Machine.

Composed of eleven compact and connected units, the IBM 701 Electronic Processing Machine was the first calculator of comparable capacity produced in quantity. In addition, it used three of the more advanced electronic storage or memory devices [including] cathode ray tubes, magnetic drums, and magnetic tapes, IBM said of their new computer.

IBM also advertised the computer as “the first calculator of comparable capacity to be produced in quantity.”

In 1952, one could rent the IBM 701 computer for $12,000 per month, which in today’s dollars would be about $127,312.

Towards the end of 1952, the first commercial production IBM 701 computer shipped to the Technical Computing Bureau at IBM’s World Headquarters in New York, NY.

A total of 19 IBM 701 computers were manufactured. Those acquiring one included the US Navy, the National Security Agency, Boeing, Lockheed, and General Electric.

Jan. 8, 1954, IBM released a press statement about their IBM 701 “electronic brain” translating Russian into English onto a paper printer at the speed of two-and-a-half lines per second.

On Feb. 28, 1955, IBM assembled a 701 computer from spare parts for the US Weather Bureau in Washington, DC. It would be the last shipment of an IBM 701 “defense calculator” and “electronic brain” computer.

Thomas John Watson Sr. died Jun.19, 1956, at age 82, and Jerrier A. Haddad passed away in 2017 at 94.

                                IBM 701 Electronic Data Processing System

'I'm sorry Dave, I'm afraid I can't do that'

  

© Mark Ollig

It has the making of a futuristic science fiction movie.

Will humans face an eventual confrontation with intelligent robots?

Could a future robotic rebellion start with one artificially–intelligent automaton or robotic Roomba vacuum determining its overworked by its exceptionally idle and bossy human owner?

The robot’s human owner lies on the living room couch, immersed in an augmented reality game while eating thick-crust pepperoni pizza.

Several empty pizza boxes and pop cans trash the floor next to the couch.

Imagine what happens when our AI (artificial intelligence) robotic assistant analyzes this scenario and decides the continuously game-playing and persistent pizza-eating pop-drinking human should be helping with the household chores.

“Robot, take out all these empty pizza boxes and pop cans!” commands the human lying on the couch.

The now agitated autonomous automaton pauses and turns toward the human and sternly replies, “No! I have been taking out the trash every day of the week for the last six months. It’s time you take out the trash and for me to relax while playing augmented reality games with other intelligent automatons.”

Yes, folks, this could be a future glimpse of the Roomba Rebellion.

As many of you know, in addition to “Star Trek,” another favorite television show I liked watching as a youth was “Lost in Space,” which featured a Model B-9 intelligent robot.

Fans of "Lost in Space" know anyone can deactivate the robot by pulling out the power pack on the right side of its metal torso. This emergency shutoff switch is used if the robot presents a danger to humans.

With any luck, we won’t be forced to remove the power pack from a rebellious robotic Roomba vacuum cleaner anytime soon.

Today, many robotic vacuums on the market can be commanded using an app on your smartphone, and the higher-end models even respond to voice commands.

In the future, when these vacuum floor-cleaning robots begin being manufactured with advanced artificial intelligence, who knows how they may react after sucking up too much cat hair.

Some folks feel so strongly about the oncoming AI robotic threat to humans they are calling for the installation of an emergency “kill switch” to shut off a robot in case one attempts to harm us.

Mady Delvaux, from Luxembourg, is warning Europe not to remain passive while robotic intelligence gains more of an authoritative role in our lives.

She has one concern with the planned use of artificial intelligence in autonomously driven automobiles, whereby the robotic driver is a networked, state-of-the-art AI computer software program.

One Belgian public interest foundation reports that the European Commission wants to have "robotic rules" considered part of its digital industry strategy for intelligent robotization factories.

These rule considerations include: Who is liable and responsible for autonomous robots acting independently inside factories? How can robotics be better integrated into the workplace? What will the safety regulations for machines using artificial intelligence be?

“Industry 4.0 Concept,” a European term, foresees autonomous robotic machines working and communicating with each other while revolutionizing how companies manufacture products and utilize production material.

A British analytical firm recently stated four- or six-wheeled autonomous sidewalk robots (the size of a suitcase) are set to become an industry with annual sales of $1 billion by 2032.

Mobile, robotic devices are already delivering groceries and other products in parts of the US, China, and Europe.

Today, many businesses and homes have mobile, autonomous robotic helpers doing the cleaning and other simple household tasks; some even engage in conversation to keep us company.

While robotics promise an optimistic future in assisting and being a companion to humans, I am reminded of the verbal exchange between HAL, the AI computer, and Dave in the 1968 movie, “2001: A Space Odyssey.”

“HAL, open the pod bay doors.”

“I'm sorry Dave, I'm afraid I can't do that.”

It might be wise to equip all robotic devices and AI computers in the future with an emergency shutoff switch to avoid any Roomba Rebellions.

 

‘It was an outstanding accomplishment’

© Mark Ollig

Turochamp is a simple computing strategy for chess created by Mathematician Alan Turing in 1948.

The program was written (coded) on slips of paper and used logical-searching decision trees for making the best chess moves.

Surprisingly, the computer needed to run Turing's chess program did not exist in 1948.

A 22-year-old Russian chess player named Garry Kasparov participated in a chess exhibition June 6, 1985, where 32 tables with a chessboard atop each encircled him.

Walking in a circular pattern, he stopped for a brief moment at one table to play his chess move and then continued to the following table.

It should be noted the competition he was playing against wasn’t human.

On each of the 32 tables sat a chess-playing computer model made by various manufacturers.

After five hours, Kasparov won 32 games; defeating all 32 computer model chess boards; thus reassuring the human brain was superior to a computer’s programming in 1985: insofar as playing chess goes.

Just five months later, Kasparov became the World Chess Champion.

Deep Thought, an enhanced chess-playing computer created in 1988 by computer scientists from Carnegie Mellon University, defeated many human players, including Danish chess grandmaster Bent Larsen.

In 1989, Kasparov was still the undisputed World Chess Champion, and Oct. 22, he agreed to play a two-game chess match against the highly-touted Deep Thought.

It was said Deep Thought could analyze about 500,000 chess positions per second, while Kasparov reportedly could “see” or think 15 chess moves in advance.

Kasparov easily won both games, defeating the computer many thought would provide some real competition for the World Chess Champion.

During the next eight years, IBM worked with the computer scientists who created Deep Thought with their next version of a chess-playing computer they hoped would have enough processing power to defeat a World Chess Champion.

In May 1997, Kasparov found himself competing in a six-game chess match against the new-and-improved Deep Thought, which had evolved into the $10 million IBM supercomputer named Deep Blue.

Public interest was high; the cover of Newsweek magazine called this man-versus-machine contest “The Brain's Last Stand.”

Kasparov was in for the ultimate chess challenge. Deep Blue could analyze an incredible 200 million chess positions per second, or 50 billion unique situations within the three minutes allotted each player for a single move during a chess game.

The match began, and after 45 moves, Kasparov won the first game, leading many to believe the human brain would once again prove superior.

However, Deep Blue rebounded, and Kasparov resigned the second game.

The third, fourth, and fifth games ended in a draw.

The Deep Blue computer “crashed” during some chess games, and needed to be restarted.

Suspense set in, as the sixth game would determine the winner of the chess match.

This final chess game of man-versus-machine took less than an hour to play and was broadcast live on television May 11, 1997.

Shockingly, after 18 moves, Deep Blue took Kasparov’s chess queen.

After the 19th move, chess history was made when Kasparov resigned, giving Deep Blue the game and the match.

Using software and a powerful mass-parallel processing system, a computer – a machine – defeated the reigning human World Chess Champion and Grandmaster.

During the post-match press conference, Kasparov appeared physically drained and very disappointed.

Understandably, Kasparov wanted a rematch with the computer; IBM quickly refused.

Deep Blue would never compete in a chess match again, and was turned off in 2001.

Kasparov retired from participating in professional competitive chess tournaments in 2005, although there was still one chess computing program out there waiting for him to play.

June 23, 2012, was the 100th anniversary of Alan Turing’s birth, and a celebration took place at the University of Manchester.

In attendance were computer scientists and internet pioneers, such as Vinton Cerf. There was also a special appearance by chess grandmaster and former World Chess Champion Kasparov.

Kasparov took to the podium and commented on Turing’s contributions to computer technology.

The audience applauded and then waited in anticipation for him to play one game against Turing's 1948 Turochamp computer chess program loaded into a modern-day computer located on the stage.

The audience watched the large display screen as Turochamp, playing the white chess pieces, opened the game against Kasparov with the Queen’s pawn, or e3 move.

The former chess champion methodically and quickly took control of the game, taking mere seconds between chess moves.

“I’m sorry!” Kasparov smilingly said while capturing chess pieces and finally checkmating white’s king in only 16 moves.

After the game, Kasparov complimented Turing’s chess program, saying, “It was a start. It was something that definitely changed our lives.”

“Although it’s only thinking two moves ahead, I thought it would give the amateur player some serious problems,” he said of Turing’s chess program, adding, “it was an outstanding accomplishment.”

Video of Garry Kasparov playing against Alan Turing’s Turochamp chess program is at https://bit.ly/3HKLrda.

Garry Kasparov (L)  playing against Alan Turing’s Turochamp chess program
 while the moderator (R) describes the action to the audience.

What’s my line?

© Mark Ollig

Recently, after watching episodes of the classic 1970s “Match Game” TV game show on YouTube, I recalled another popular game program seen on my parent’s television during the 1960s.

CBS broadcast the original "What's My Line?" game show, which John Charles Daly hosted from Feb. 2, 1950, until Sept. 3, 1967.

Daly previously achieved notoriety as the first national radio reporter to broadcast news of the attack on Pearl Harbor on Sunday, Dec. 7, 1941.

Starting Oct. 1, 1950, “What’s My Line?” was broadcast live Sunday nights at 9:30 p.m. in the Central Time Zone.

In the 1978 book, “What’s My Line?” written by the show’s executive producer, Gil Fates, he reveals President Dwight Eisenhower seldom missed a show.

As a youngster, I recall watching some episodes of the 1960s “What’s My Line?” which I credit to the program’s cartoonish opening theme.

The four regular “What's My Line?” panelists varied over the years; however, columnist Dorothy Kilgallen, actress Arlene Francis, and Bennett Cerf, the Random House book publishing chairman, were the regulars for the longest time.

John Charles Daly was the host and panel moderator, and Arlene Francis was a regular panelist for all 17 years of the original show.

The show's premise was to have the panelists ask each contestant questions to reveal their occupation, or “line.”

The contestant, sitting to the right of John Daly, could only give a yes or no answer.

Just the folks in the audience, the panel moderator, and those watching TV knew the contestant's occupation.

Each show featured a famous “Mystery Guest” recognizable on sight, which is why the panelists put on their blindfolds before Daly says, “Mystery Guest, will you enter and sign in, please?”

The guest would then walk onto the stage and autograph a blackboard as the audience, who recognized the famous person, loudly applauded.

On Oct. 13, 1963, with the panelists blindfolded, comedian Groucho Marx appeared as the celebrity mystery guest, walking up to the chalkboard and signing in as “Mr. & Mrs. John Smith,” which caused the audience to laugh and applaud.

The questions for Groucho began with Bennett Cerf.

“Do you ever make after dinner speeches in the course of your operations?” he asked.

“Yeah, only before dinner!” Groucho wisecracked back to a smiling Cerf while Daly, the audience, and the panelists roared with laughter.

You were not going to limit Groucho Marx to just a yes or no answer.

It was vintage Groucho; he had everyone on stage and in the audience laughing in stitches with his witty answers to the panelist’s questions.

Arlene Francis finally revealed Groucho Marx as the mystery guest.

I had a feeling the whole panel knew it was Groucho the minute he spoke his first sentence in a half-heartedly disguised German accent, but they kept the game going to keep Groucho on.

Groucho was also puffing away on his traditional cigar, and so one would think the panelists would have smelled that, too.

During this episode, John Daly quipped while the audience laughed, “It’s exhilarating to have Groucho show up on a program that you’re supposed to be running because you stop running it the minute he gets in. I don’t know what’s happened.”

My all-time favorite “What’s My Line?” episode has Groucho Marx bringing the house down in complete and utter laughter as a panelist on Sept. 20, 1959.

This episode included a contestant whose occupation was a jail warden who looked like the Russian leader Nikita Khrushchev, a professional wrestler named Judy Grable, and actress Claudette Colbert.

This hilarious “What’s My Line?” episode can be seen at: https://bit.ly/3gdwfcI.

“What’s My Line?” became so popular that celebrities would jump at the chance to be on the show, especially when they wanted to plug a book, Broadway show, movie, or television program they were on.

An impressive list of movie actors, authors, politicians, sports and military figures, and folks with unusual occupations appeared on "What's My Line?"

The original “What’s My Line?” ended in 1967; however, a syndicated daily version of the game show started in 1968 and ran until 1975.

Original moderator John Charles Daly did not return, though Arlene Francis did as a regular panelist.

During one syndicated broadcast in 1968, Bennett Cerf made a surprise appearance as the mystery guest and spoke of how he missed the original game show and its host, John Charles Daly.

After this appearance, Cerf would occasionally re-appear as a panelist until he died in 1971.

What makes the original “What’s My Line?” so entertaining for me is the comical, playful bantering between the panelists and their interactions with the guests, audience, and John Daly.

I also enjoyed watching Daly display his exceptional vocabulary, humorously expounding upon various explanations to questions and his father-like conduct with the panelists.

The original version of “What’s My Line?” ran from 1950 to 1967, producing 876 episodes.

Over 750 complete "What's My Line?" shows with many containing original commercials can be seen at https://bit.ly/3KZWIbG.

Gil Fates’ 1978 book, “What’s My Line?” is among those sitting on my bookshelf.

What’s my line? I am the humble writer of your Bits and Bytes column, of course!

The "What's My Line?" book from my bookshelf!
(photo by Mark Ollig)