[geeks] Fwd: [sun_alumni] IBM Stretch: The Forgotten Computer that Helped Spark a Revolution- Sept. 11

[Jonathan Katz]

This looks like it could be extremely interesting for those out west...


---------- Forwarded message ----------

           Please join us for a very special celebration of a
little-known, yet incredibly important, chapter in computing history.
IBM's STRETCH program for the Government's Los Alamos lab, later its
commercial offering as IBM 7030, was IBM's audacious gamble at
creating the world's most advanced computing system: "about 100 times
faster than the most advanced computer working today" according to
then IBM chairman Tom Watson, Jr.

           This is a story about one of the most remarkable computer
projects ever, one largely unknown to the general public, but which
shaped the lives of all of us by defining what computers could do.

           Design began in the summer of 1956, with a project team
that eventually grew to 300 by 1959. When introduced, the Stretch was
considered a failure within IBM as it did not meet advertised
expectations: it was indeed the fastest computer available, but was
only 30 to 40 times faster than other systems (not 100 times as
advertised).

           The Success of Stretch: Even though initial commercial
expectations were not fully met, the technical, manufacturing, and
managerial experience that came from creating Stretch fed directly
into other IBM projects, including its System/360 - the single most
successful family of computers (by revenue) of all time.

           Concepts pioneered for Stretch are now used in the world's
most advanced microprocessors. These include:

             a.. Multiprogramming, enabling a computer to juggle more
than one job at a time
             b.. Memory protection, preventing unauthorized memory access
             c.. Memory interleaving, breaking up memory into chunks
for much higher bandwidth
             d.. Pipelining, lining up instructions in a queue, so
that the computer doesn't have to wait between operations
           Join our moderator, Steve Lohr of The New York Times as he
discusses the project's challenges and successes with Stretch
pioneers.

           This event will review the technology landscape of the
mid-1950s, the computing needs that spawned the Stretch program and
the huge technical challenges that had to be overcome. It will also
examine the legacy of Stretch innovations, how they provided the
foundation of the world-changing System/360 mainframe and several
components are still part of the fabric of computing today, in
everything from laptops to iPods.

           Panelists:

             a.. Fran Allen, IBM, former Research Staff Member for Stretch
             b.. Fred Brooks, former Advisory System Planner for Stretch
             c.. Harwood Kolsky, former Member of the Stretch Product
Planning Department

           Where    Computer History Museum
           Hanh Auditorium
           1401 N. Shoreline Blvd.
           Mountain View, CA 94043
           Directions

           When    Thursday, September 11, 2008
           6 pm Member Reception
           7 pm Program
           Wine provided by The Mountain Winery


           Registration    Free. Members should register early, as
this event will sell out. Suggested donation of $10.00 at the door
from non-members. To register or for more information on the event,
please visit the Museum's website or call (650) 810-1005.