Vacuum Tubes and 8-Inch Floppy Disks

Once upon a time, in a university lab far removed from today’s technology... It felt reminiscent of a Star Wars narrative—specifically, the Reagan Era Strategic Defense Initiative. During my college years in the 1980s, the first computer I encountered utilized vacuum tubes and massive 8-inch floppy disks. It was quite the impressive machine for its time, especially considering the internet in its modern form was non-existent, along with staples like Microsoft Windows and Google.

This video delves into the evolution of MS-DOS from 1981 to 1995, highlighting its significance in the computing landscape of that era.

ARPANET Connections

One of the functions of that antiquated computer was to connect us to ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency Network). Although our practical use of ARPANET was limited—given that only a handful of research facilities were linked at the time—it was an intriguing experience for us.

[Quick History Note: For younger audiences, the Internet as we know it today did not always exist! Back in the last century, written communication, library research, and the invention of the automobile were the norm.]

Programming Languages: FORTRAN and BASIC

In those days, I received training in programming languages that were popular at the time. I was proficient in both the Formula Translating (FORTRAN) and Beginners' All-Purpose Symbolic Instruction Code (BASIC). To put it into perspective, using these languages today would be akin to composing in an ancient dialect.

[Quick History Note: FORTRAN was developed by an IBM team in the 1950s to program their massive mainframe computers, which were only slightly more advanced than some modern coffee machines.]

Ah, those simpler times! Life was uncomplicated and relatively joyful. Although we were in a technological stone age, everything felt fresh and exhilarating. Does anyone remember watching films on Betamax tapes, typing on typewriters, or adjusting rabbit ears on the television? We genuinely believed that fax machines would transform office work.

I must confess that I still enjoy reading a physical newspaper with a cup of coffee at my local café—without the aid of a mobile app, paying with cash, and savoring the moment in a comfortable chair while forgetting about social distancing. If offered the chance, I'd happily trade my iPhone, 24-hour news cycles, and various modern conveniences just to experience those simpler days again. Who else misses the nightly National Anthem before television stations would sign off?

Thank you for taking the time to read this! If you have additional thoughts or memories to share, I encourage you to join the conversation. Your insights are always appreciated.