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From: msb@lsuc.UUCP (Mark Brader)
Newsgroups: net.sf-lovers
Subject: Computer hardware in movies
Message-ID: <520@lsuc.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 18-Mar-85 03:48:32 EST
Article-I.D.: lsuc.520
Posted: Mon Mar 18 03:48:32 1985
Date-Received: Mon, 18-Mar-85 04:42:02 EST
References: <877@topaz.ARPA> <1401@orca.UUCP>
Reply-To: msb@lsuc.UUCP (Mark Brader)
Organization: Law Society of Upper Canada, Toronto
Lines: 18
Summary: WarGames CPU

> When we saw the Colossus machine room, the "willing
> suspension of disbelief" was dissolved in a pool of laughter.  The
> console for Colossus was made up of several (identical) front panels
> from IBM 1620's.

Actually, this sounds more realistic than a lot of Hollywood computers.
(I wonder if the designers ever look at the studios' own computers...)

I was rather amused while watching WarGames to notice the design of the
"WOPR" CPU.  I mean, this was supposed to be a big, powerful computer...
a "whopper", in fact.  And they even resisted the temptation to hang
flashing lights all over it (probably because they would have distracted
from the pretty graphic displays).  So how did they convey the idea that
it was big and powerful?

Why, they simply shaped it like a diesel locomotive body.

Mark Brader