Bigger, Faster, Better (and Cheaper!)
Let’s take a second to look back some 50 years to the world of 1972, and the technology and telecommunications environment at that time. The world of 1972 was one populated by a relatively small collection of massive (and eye-wateringly expensive) mainframe computers that were tended by a set of computer operators working around the clock and directed by specialised programmers, trained in the obscure symbol set used by the job control systems on these computers. In the average household of that time, the most complex item of consumer technology was the television set. And it was an analogue device. Our clocks still ran on clockwork. Yet, changes were underway. The enthralling technology achievements of manned space flight had captured not only the imagination of an entire generation but given us a glimpse into the power and utility of technology. Collectively we became obsessed with technology.
