Notion Podcast Pioneers: Ted Nelson explores what computers could’ve become
Feb 1, 2019
Ted Nelson, the founding designer of Xanadu, discusses his expansive vision for digital technology. He explores the concept of hypertext and its influence on the Internet. Topics include Xanadu Classic, transcopyright, transclusion, and missed opportunities of the web
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Ted's Path to Computing
- Ted Nelson's diverse interests included film, theater, and philosophy.
- He stumbled into computing and realized its potential for interactive documents.
Engelbart's Influence
- Ted recounts meeting Douglas Engelbart, whose 1968 demo showcased groundbreaking computer technologies.
- Engelbart's work at Stanford Research Institute pioneered word processing, multiple windows, and collaborative features.
Bush's Vision
- Vannevar Bush's article, describing researchers annotating microfilm and creating trails, influenced Nelson and Engelbart.
- The true intent of an idea can get lost when the originator dies, leading to varied interpretations.