Doug Englebart single-handedly invented (along with his amazing development team) the modern world of computers as we understand them, geared for use to non experts and useful for more than just calculating.
In 1968 he demonstrated in front of a live audience his vision of a networked office environment, with hyperlinks, a mouse oriented GUI, and real time teleconferencing “HUD” type picture in picture. Its an astonishing piece of work and truly masterful in painting a picture of what this nascent technology would become. This is my take on the event.
OPEN FILE: “MOTHER OF ALL DEMOS”
…
….
…..Imagine if you will,
a world like this one but
fixed.
Where the mere fact
of being human will not hold
you back, where knowledge is
an unlimited well of the freshest
water and you incredibly parched.
Imagine shuttling back and forth
in a lane of pure information:
from the palm of your hand
you direct traffic, have no speed
limit, and unchallenged
right of way. The quickest path
won’t be a straight line, but a
network of links and in everything
redundancy; not a word missed or
a picture out of place.
You can turn on a machine in
San Francisco and access it
in Los Angeles. You can see
your coworkers live on a screen
and maneuver the virtual space
with the flick of your wrist.
The only challenge is time,
the only restriction in the will
and imagination of this great
generation.
Soon we will have boots
on the moon,
why not a computer in every home?
Why not send me the grocery list
and I’ll check the bank on the way?
When we augment human
intellect what marvelous surprises
will be in store.
What magic will be wrought?
END LINE
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Watch actual video of the real event:
The Numinous Cosmos 