On The Metal cover image

Ken Shirriff

On The Metal

00:00

Analog Computers and Mining Bitcoin in the 1960s

Exploring the capabilities of analog computers in the late 1960s and early 1970s, including their speed and accuracy in real-time applications like flight simulators. The chapter delves into the intricacies of an op amp circuit board from 1969, showcasing its chopper technique to process signals at 400 Hertz. Additionally, it discusses the manual mining of Bitcoin on historical computers like the IBM 1401, Xerox Alto, and Apollo guidance computer, highlighting the challenges and significance of these technologies.

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