The Machine That Changed the World: Great Brains

I just got this in email from a friend, and thought the list might be interested. http://waxy.org/2008/06/the_machine_that_changed_the_world/ The Machine That Changed the World: Great Brains Posted Jun 3, 2008 (Updated Jun 4, 2008) The Machine That Changed the World is the longest, most comprehensive documentary about the history of computing ever produced, but since its release in 1992, it's become virtually extinct. Out of print and never released online, the only remaining copies are VHS tapes floating around school libraries or in the homes of fans who dubbed the original shows when they aired. It's a whirlwind tour of computing before the Web, with brilliant archival footage and interviews with key players ? several of whom passed away since the filming. Jointly produced by WGBH Boston and the BBC, it originally aired in the UK as The Dream Machine before its U.S. premiere in January 1992. Its broadcast was accompanied by a book co-written by the documentary's producer Jon Palfreman. With the help of Simon Willison, Jesse Legg, and (unofficially) the Portland State University library, we've tracked down and digitized all five parts. This week, I'm uploading them, annotating them with Viddler, and posting them here as streaming Flash video as they're finished. Also, the complete set will be available as high-quality MP4 downloads via BitTorrent by Friday. Here's the first of the five-part series, The Machine That Changed the World. Enjoy! Note: Like all the other materials I post here, these videos are completely out-of-print and unavailable commercially, digitized from old VHS recordings. If they ever come back into print, or the copyright holders contact me, I'll take them down immediately.