Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

To: Paisan
Connections (TV series), called “Faith in Numbers.”

As an old-time computer programmer (RPG, COBOL), I thoroughly enjoyed that one as he showed the progression from the Jacquard loom to the then-modern (1976) 80-column punch card. The bit he did showing how Hollerith's machine was used in the 1880 census was a gem.

The whole series was fascinating, and I got a kick out of how often serendipity played a hand in the inventions.

16 posted on 02/20/2015 1:57:14 PM PST by Oatka (This is America. Assimilate or evaporate.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies ]


To: Oatka

One other thing. I always marveled at Roman engineering, but how in the Hell did they do all those calculations using Roman Numerals. Ever try something like multiplying or dividing DXXIX x CIV, etc. ???? - and sometimes there were fractions to consider.


17 posted on 02/20/2015 2:07:17 PM PST by Oatka (This is America. Assimilate or evaporate.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson