Core memory
by Mark Richards · first published 2007
6mentions
5recommended by
5HN commenters
2013–2023first – last mentioned
100% recommend
Why HN recommends it
A visual survey of vintage computers, filled with photographs. It works as a coffee table book and a light history of early machines, suited to hardware enthusiasts and history fans.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
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Regarding books, I've always opted for a book named "Glass" on various display technologies and methodologies, along the lines of "Core Memory" by John Alderman and Mark Richards (who does this amazing CHP photography) [1] [1] https://www.amazon.com/Core-Memory-Visual-Vintage-Computers/...
on “The History of User Interfaces” ↗I don't know about posters, but there is similar imagery in "Core Memory: A Visual Survey of Vintage Computers" http://www.amazon.com/Core-Memory-Visual-Vintage-Computers/d...
on “How to "open" a microchip and what's inside?” ↗One I have (and use as a coffee table book) is "Core Memory: A Visual Survey of Vintage Computers". May be out of print though... https://www.amazon.com/Core-Memory-Visual-Vintage-Computers/...
on “Ask HN: Coffee table books” ↗If you like this, you may enjoy Mark Richards and John Alderman's book "Core Memory: A Visual Survey of Vintage Computers." There are some photos from it at http://www.wired.com/2007/07/core-memory/
on “IBM’s 24-core Power9 chip” ↗…arrows document the control flow. I have a Rigol digital oscilloscope on my desk right now that has a slightly similar aesthetic. And especially I like that it has a hot pink Emergency Off pull-switch. Core Memory by John Alderman and Mark Richards is full of great photos of early/classic computers.
on “Booting the IBM 1401: How a 1959 punch-card computer loads a program” ↗…interest you. Digital Apollo is a wonderful history, and the NASA NTRS and NASA History repositories online have an endless supply from the banal to the executive. Recently I enjoyed the coffee table book Core Memory, edited by Mark Richards. It’s a fantastic visual survey and light history of specific computers from the past and includes some of the USAF/SAC hardware, including an ARPANET Interface Message Processor,…
on “What made Apollo a success? (1971) [pdf]” ↗