# Advent of Computing Welcome to Advent of Computing, the show that talks about the shocking, intriguing, and all too often relevant history of computing. A lot of little things we take for granted today have rich stories behind their creation, in each episode we will learn how older tech has lead to our modern world. Page: Feed: --- ## [Episode 187 - What's Better Than Binary?](https://adventofcomputing.libsyn.com/episode-187-whats-better-than-binary) _2026-08-17_ Binary is synonymous with digital computing. But is it the only way to crunch numbers? The short answer is no. The long answer, well, that's today's topic. Today we are talking about ternary, aka base 3. From it's early uses in the 19th century, to actual computers, and even theoretical designs; ternary proves to be a difficult topic to track down... and a very unique one. Selected sources:… [Listen](https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/adventofcomputing/ep187_ternary.mp3?dest-id=1206722) ## [LIVE from VCF West - Wait, Is That Really UNIX?](https://adventofcomputing.libsyn.com/live-from-vcf-west-wait-is-that-really-unix) _2026-08-03_ It's no secret that I've been fascinated by odd UNIX clones for a while. When I got invited back to speak at VCF West this year I decided to share that fascination with a captive audience. In this talk we look at Idris and CROMIX, and ask the simple question: why would you want UNIX free UNIX? VCFed will be posting the video version of this presentation in the coming weeks. I'll add a link here… [Listen](https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/adventofcomputing/vcf_ewst_2026.mp3?dest-id=1206722) ## [Episode 186 - MADDIDA](https://adventofcomputing.libsyn.com/episode-186-maddida) _2026-07-19_ In 1950 Northrup unveiled their MAgnetic Drum DIgital Differential Analyser. The machine is a wild piece of technology; a rendering of an analog computer in digital encoding. But how did we get here? How did a project to guide a missile lead to a mass produced computer? And what does it have to do with suspiciously dry martinis? Selected Sources: https://sci-hub.st/10.1109/MAHC.2003.1179869 - 2003… [Listen](https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/adventofcomputing/ep186_maddida.mp3?dest-id=1206722) ## [Episode 185 - Is EMUL-8ion a Form of Flattery?](https://adventofcomputing.libsyn.com/episode-185-is-emul-8ion-a-form-of-flattery) _2026-07-06_ EMUL-8 is a fascinating programming language. It's described in just one paper from 1977. It's a mix of features from APL, LISP, ALGOL, and SNOBOL. And, I think, it's a wonderful window into how counterculture and home computing collided. [Listen](https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/adventofcomputing/ep185_emul_8.mp3?dest-id=1206722) ## [Episode 184 - What Is A Programming Language?](https://adventofcomputing.libsyn.com/episode-184-what-is-a-programming-language) _2026-06-21_ I mean that both in the specific and the abstract. This episode we are looking at APL, which stands for A Programming Language. APL was developed in the mid 50s, but didn't see a working implementation until 1965. It's a language that truly looks like no others, but has some odd parallels to everything from BASIC to LISP to linear algebra. Learn APL at: tryapl.org… [Listen](https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/adventofcomputing/ep184_apl.mp3?dest-id=1206722) ## [Dale Biagio - Hello, World!](https://adventofcomputing.libsyn.com/dale-biagio-hello-world) _2026-06-14_ Dale Biagio(author of Hello, World!) got in touch with me recently. He said he had a book full of short histories of programming languages. Better still, it has sources! How could I resist! In this episode I sit down with Dale to talk about the intersection of technical and human histories. You can find more about Hello, World! at Dale's website: https://helloworldthebook.com/ [Listen](https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/adventofcomputing/dale_interview.mp3?dest-id=1206722) ## [Episode 183 - A Digital Gap?](https://adventofcomputing.libsyn.com/episode-183-a-digital-gap) _2026-05-31_ I've been browsing old compur surveys and trying to build up a comprehensive data set. What I've found is a little surprising: between late 1945 and 1949 only 10 new computers entered service. Once we get to the 50s that number explodes. What's going on here? What caused the gap between the first digital machines and the explosion of computers in the 50s? In this episode I try to answer that… [Listen](https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/adventofcomputing/ep183_digital_gap.mp3?dest-id=1206722) ## [Episode 182 - Spinning Memories](https://adventofcomputing.libsyn.com/episode-182-spinning-memories) _2026-05-18_ What connects IBM, the NSA, the Third Reich, and high fidelity recordings of symphonies? The answer is: magnetic drum memory. Join me as I lose all track of scope and plot to discovery just how and why magnetic drum memory was invented. Like Advent of Computing? Then check out the after show! Adjunct of Computing is now LIVE: YouTube Spotify Apple Podcasts [Listen](https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/adventofcomputing/ep182_spinning_memories.mp3?dest-id=1206722) ## [Episode 181 - RAYDAC](https://adventofcomputing.libsyn.com/episode-181-raydac) _2026-05-03_ In 1947 Raytheon signed a contract to make their first computer. It would be their last... at least for many many years. The fruits of this contract was RAYDAC. Early digital computers were odd, to say the least. And RAYDAC distinguishes itself. From zig-zag delay lines to hunting tapes to freon cooling, it truly is a unique machine. Selected Sources: https://ed-thelen.org/McGee\_Book-4.2.2.pdf -… [Listen](https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/adventofcomputing/ep181_raydac.mp3?dest-id=1206722) ## [Home Internet From Space (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/hFxYWt1IsNtF) _2026-05-03 · **Sponsored**_ Residential satellite internet that brings connectivity to homes beyond conventional networks ## [Episode 180 - You Wouldn't Magnetize a Tape!](https://adventofcomputing.libsyn.com/episode-180-you-wouldnt-magnetize-a-tape) _2026-04-19_ The image of a mainframe is almost always accompanied by it's companion: the magnetic tape drive. For decades magnetic tape served as the medium of choice for computing. It was faster than punch cards, and more available than hard drives. But where did it come from? Is it a borrowed technology like the vacuum tube? Like Advent of Computing? Then check out the after show! Adjunct of Computing is… [Listen](https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/adventofcomputing/ep180_tape.mp3?dest-id=1206722)