SAGE: Computer-based air defense, 1958-1982

[@goldgeologist5320]

When I arrived at Malmstrom AFB for missile duty in 1984 the SAGE computer was being disassembled for salvage. I asked to see it. Truly a great experience to see that monster!

[@mdf58]

The monitors, or Situation Information Displays, did not "give off a blue light". The name Blue Room was because the overhead fluorescent lighting was literally tinted blue, to allow viewing of the SID without out washout or glare. The lights were above a ceiling grid that was composed of plastic "eggcrate" panels that also helped to reduce any glare. The computer painted the monochrome screen in yellow on black, like early mono terminals.

[@ChrisAthanas]

2:48 yes but most of that power was consumed by the heating elements in the tubes, it’s comparing apple and oranges for modern digital electronics power consumption

[@jjock3239]

I went through the SAGE facility near Detroit in 1965, and I was really impressed when one of the techs at a monitor, pulled out the gun, lit up an aircraft, and it displayed all the pertinent information. I was incredibly impressed. I remember one of the guys stating, that the equipment put out enough heat, that even in the dead of winter, cooling was always the big problem. They also stated, that changes were happening so frequently, that it seemed the floors in the hallways were always open for a repair, or some new feature. A lot of the wiring for the facility, was run through special channels in the floor. The floor panels were designed to be easily removed for access. I had to laugh, when I saw the movie Dr Strangelove.

[@Mark_Ocain]

Now THIS is interesting...how they kept this monster going for so long is a testament to technological evolution

[@TheDavidlloydjones]

,,,or DOD waste. Your call.

[@jjock3239]

A successful defense system doesn't necessarily have to work to be successful, it just has to appear to work. The best example of this, as that we lived in fear of the Russian ( Soviet) Army, until we saw it in action in Ukraine.

[@B1900pilot]

The SAGE blockhouse is still standing at Stewart! Many of the old blogs too as of 2015.

[@mzk1489]

I believe I remember Whirlwind in the old Smithsonian computer exhibit, when its main virtue was that, as it was not changed, became more historic year-by-year.

[@Mark_Ocain]

"but...they'll see everything...they'll see the big board!!" LOL

[@PBeringer]

Haha! This comment goddamn killed me ... 😂

[@rockets4kids]

@@PBeringer Ronald Reagan famously asked to see the war room during his early days as president...

[@PBeringer]

@@rockets4kids Haha! That's simultaneously amazing and totally unsurprising. I feel like I may have heard that before when talking to someone about Stangelove; the only film I've ever named as my favourite film.

[@PBeringer]

Love this talk; SAGE was such a monumental project. There's only one thing I can't determine about Paul Edwards' presentation ... cocaine or methamphetamine. Les Earnest's anecdotes are the best. The funniest is the story about Markov analysis revealing that the random bit stream generated by amplified noise from a dead phone line would take only two minutes to send a "FIRE" command. Haha! 😂

[@mortarmopp3919]

For the future: For Q&A, make sure there's a mic for the audience so we know what question is being asked.

[@littlebull8881]

This comes to mind. Roger Ramjet and his Eagles Fighting for our freedom Fly through in and outer space Not to join 'em but to beat 'em. Roger Ramjet, he's our man, Hero of our nation. For his adventures, just be sure To stay tuned to this station. So come and join us, all you kids, For lots of fun and laughter As Roger Ramjet and his men Get all the crooks they're after. Roger Ramjet, he's our man, Hero of our nation. For his adventures, just be sure To stay tuned to this station When Ramjet takes a Proton Pill, The crooks begin to worry. They can't escape their awful fate From Proton's mighty fury. Roger Ramjet, he's our man, Hero of our nation. For his adventures, just be sure To stay tuned to this station.

[@mzk1489]

The SDI didn't have to work to succeed. They actually faked a test by having the missile blow itself up. But it succeeded because the USSR thought it had to compete and the Reagan administration realized that the USSR did not have the economic capacity to do so. Which led to Gorbachev and the end of the USSR.

[@vsenderov]

Uhm, no.

[@joshuawilkes5888]

mircro systems charged by 250.000 watts one million watts mega watts eletrocal production project ....

[@oneproofwonder]

I didn't know that Jim Carrey was a computer historian!

[@widescreennavel]

If we still had SAGE, it would have been easy for all the employees to take their bog 'ol screens home with them, work from home!

[@youreale]

oh thank you!!!!!!

[@divakarhosamani4798]

What's the space force doing. Plucking flowers from Jupiter.

[@joshuawilkes5888]

a nework each sector computer insalation key point combat center higher comand into a centeralize ..long range radrs information flashed calculation o nconsole tracking operaters quickly identify alram sounds senior directer size up scope basic information assigened to ..immedtanly intercep have been scrambled tracking is good one two a vector symbol rl15 code number thus have the information he need speed towards target eletronic impules now comes the test calcualtion correct slighest free to ...concsole display and joined .....lock..... one important task to gudie back .....

[@marklandrebe3521]

No need to BS for 4 1/2 minutes.

[@danielyoung6630]

SO WHAT HAPPEN WHEN 911 KICKED IN SAGE COMMAND TOOK A OWDER?