1950s TV computers

[Chuck Guzis]

I've been having fun looking at TV programs that I watched when the 
family had a 17" monochrome RCA set.  At any rate, here's one such about 
a guy who gets shocked by a computer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-pfWhehSB4

Note that, about 3:20 in, the guy doing the troubleshooting on the 
system pulls a faulty tube and gives it to his companion for 
replacement.  "12AY7" is what he says, but hands the other guy an octal 
tube--the 12AY7 is a 9-pin sub-miniature.  (TV had goofs even then). 
Other than the IBM Model B electric typewriters, there doesn't seem to 
be much to see.  From 1955.


Here's another one from 1956:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33OFJEWUgQE

This involves a mechanical translating machine that's been adapted to 
diagnose and prescribe treatment for diseases.  There, you can see the 
same IBM typewriters, as well a couple of keypunches (IBM 024/6?) and 
bunches of tape drives that I don't recognize.  "Memory coils", anyone? 
  The strange thing is that years later, I met up with a fellow who had 
worked with Gerald Salton on the nascent SMART system that, I believe, 
eventually morphed into MEDLARS.

Stuff from a time when men wore hats and women wore dresses.

--Chuck