Notion Podcast Pamela Hardt‑English on how she gave computer access to hippies
Aug 25, 2020
Pamela Hardt-English, the driving force behind the first computerized bulletin board system in the 1970s, provides a resource network for counterculture centers. She shares the challenges of bringing computer access to individuals and discusses the unique culture within the warehouse community.
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Career Choice
- Pamela Hardt-English chose computer science because it was a growing field welcoming women.
- She wanted a career and financial independence, uncommon for women in the 1950s and 1960s.
Resource One's Vision
- Resource One aimed to use technology for social good, driven by the anti-war sentiment and a desire to empower individuals.
- The goal was to create a resource-sharing network, similar to Google, addressing the limitations of phone books and institutional mediation.
Acquiring the Mainframe
- Resource One secured funding and a decommissioned SDS 940 mainframe through a network of business people and philanthropists.
- This network, facilitated by Mr. Clausen of Bank of America and Pacific Change, provided guidance and resources to the young team.