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Hackers On The Net – 2

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This series isn’t a history of the Internet, per se. It’s a gosh-wow look back at an article in Rolling Stone that I read in 1972, while still in high school. Part 1 showed a mock-up of a proposed personal computer called a Dynabook, that was the brainchild of Alan Kay.

Here is Kay’s original drawing for the Dynabook, which was ahead of its time, to say the least. Kay is credited with uttering the notable quote, “The best way to predict the future is to invent it.”

Another visionary whose work was discussed in the article is Ivan Sutherland, who between 1961 and 1963 created the groundbreaking computer program called Sketchpad. The video above is an excruciatingly dry, but exceedingly significant, 20-minute demonstration of Sketchpad. It was produced for Boston PBS station WGBH by Russell Morash, who introduced TV viewers to Julia Child and created the show “This Old House.”

Blond. James Blond.

Here’s how the progress looks on the previously mentioned Natick (MA) Mall, as seen from my friend Bismo’s desk at work. There are some reflections in this picture, but I was able to get up on the roof and take some photos with a better zoom lens. You won’t believe what was going on up there! Here, see for yourself!

Even more amazing is that I recognized one of those men! I knew I’d seen him somewhere before, and then it hit me — it was at the Boston Museum of Science Bodyworlds show! Checking the cellphone pictures I had taken surreptiously at the exhibit, I was surprised to find a couple of shots that included this mystery man.

Re-recording

Recently, I offered some Beatles studio session outtakes of HELP! , and before that an outtake of I Feel Fine, and in the comments I made mention of “The Beatles Recording Sessions,” by Mark Lewisohn. As pointed out by best buddy Denro, Lewisohn admits his 1988 book is now superceded by “Recording the Beatles,” a $100 tome that is essentially self-published by its authors, Kevin Ryan and Brian Kehew.

I had no idea of this book’s existence until today. The first printing of 3000 copies is sold out, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the second printing is already spoken for. But I’d better get in line, as this is an irresistable item that, despite the expense, I must have.

Click here to read a New York Times article about Recording the Beatles, and other self-published Beatles books. If that link asks for a registration you don’t want to have, click here instead.

Dr. Macro’s Vision

Somebody calling himself Dr. Macro has posted a lot of super high quality scans of old movie stills, along with many movie clips in WMV format. Worth a look, so click here. Above and below are a couple of stills that he doesn’t have. Grace Kelly sure looked a lot less glamorous without makeup.

Turn Me On Whitcomb

Of all the many people that L.A. writer Mark Evanier hangs with, I wasn’t expecting Ian Whitcomb. Click here to see. Stan Freberg? That’s a given, but Ian Whitcomb?

Whitcomb is an interesting gent. Originally from Ireland, Ian is known first and best in the U.S. for this hit 1965 song.

This record is notorious for having been played endlessly in dance clubs and bars that cater to an all-male clientele. Here’s a YouTube video of Whitcomb performing “You Turn Me On!” on the American TV show Shindig!

Whitcomb is actually a serious music expert and performer of old Ragtime and Tin Pan Alley songs, although my recollection is that at the outset of his career his primary interest was in Blues, as it was for so many UK youth of that era. Lots more about Whitcomb can be seen here.