16min chapter

On The Metal cover image

Ken Shirriff

On The Metal

CHAPTER

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.

00:00

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode