Episode 178 - The Programma 101

Advent of Computing by Sean S Haas

Mar 22, 202601:02:46Society & Culture

The Olivetti Programma 101 isn't quite like any other machine. On first glance it looks like a big desktop calculator. Inside, it's a purebred computer... but strange one. It uses twisted spring steel for memory, has no...

Related Episodes

Continue listening to more episodes from Advent of Computing.

Episode 188 - Training and Teaching with the Bi-Tran Six

Sep 1, 2026 - 52:55

How did you learn about computers? And how in depth was your education? For some the answer is the Bi-Tra...

Episode 187 - What's Better Than Binary?

Aug 17, 2026 - 01:05:10

Binary is synonymous with digital computing. But is it the only way to crunch numbers? The short answer i...

LIVE from VCF West - Wait, Is That Really UNIX?

Aug 3, 2026 - 48:08

It's no secret that I've been fascinated by odd UNIX clones for a while. When I got invited back to speak...

Episode 186 - MADDIDA

Jul 19, 2026 - 01:07:11

In 1950 Northrup unveiled their MAgnetic Drum DIgital Differential Analyser. The machine is a wild piece...

Episode 185 - Is EMUL-8ion a Form of Flattery?

Jul 6, 2026 - 01:01:24

EMUL-8 is a fascinating programming language. It's described in just one paper from 1977. It's a mix of f...

Episode 184 - What Is A Programming Language?

Jun 21, 2026 - 01:09:34

I mean that both in the specific and the abstract. This episode we are looking at APL, which stands for A...

Dale Biagio - Hello, World!

Jun 14, 2026 - 31:44

Dale Biagio(author of Hello, World!) got in touch with me recently. He said he had a book full of short h...

Episode 183 - A Digital Gap?

May 31, 2026 - 54:58

I've been browsing old compur surveys and trying to build up a comprehensive data set. What I've found is...