Decoding Tech

How can you truly grasp what is happening in computing? One powerful answer has endured: “Read a book!” In this conversation with historian W. Patrick McCray, we learn how the most influential books in computing didn’t just explain technology but also ignited the computer revolution. CHM curator, David C. Brock, moderates.This conversation was recorded on January 20, 2026, at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California. To watch a video of this program, please visit the Computer History Museum's YouTube channel.To learn more about the Computer History Museum and our upcoming CHM Live events, visit our website at www.computerhistory.org

Today, autonomous vehicles are no longer a futuristic dream. But in 2019, industry leaders and researchers were still figuring how they work, the challenge of teaching AI to make life-and-death decisions, and the profound changes this technology could bring to our lives.This special panel from our archives featured Dmitri Dolgov from Waymo, Chris Gerdes from Stanford University, Jesse Levinson from Zoox, and Jack Weast of Mobileye. It was moderated by Talithia Williams of Harvey Mudd College and cohost of the PBS series NOVA Wonders.The program was recorded on October 18, 2019, at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California, as a part of a special screening of the NOVA documentary, Look Who's Driving. To watch a video of this program, please visit the Computer History Museum’s YouTube channel.To learn more about the Computer History Museum and our upcoming CHM Live events, visit our website at www.computerhistory.org.

In a fascinating discussion, Chaoyi Li from Booster Robotics, Victor Suen of Fourier, and Niv Sundaram from Machani delve into the transformative potential of humanoid robots in our daily lives. They explore the push for affordable, at-home robots, advancements in rehabilitation technologies, and the role of cognitive companions for seniors. The trio also discusses design challenges, societal impacts, and the ethical considerations of integrating humanoids into society, envisioning a future where robots enhance companionship, productivity, and well-being.

What happens when two tech visionaries sit down to talk? In this remarkable 2007 conversation, Dr. Morris Chang, the pioneering founder of TSMC, joins NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang to reflect on how his revolutionary silicon foundry model reshaped the semiconductor industry and powered the digital age.This conversation was recorded on October 17, 2007, at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California. To watch a video of this program, please visit the Computer History Museum's YouTube channel.To learn more about the Computer History Museum and our upcoming CHM Live events, visit our website at www.computerhistory.org

In November 1995, Steve Jobs pitched Wall Street on a company with no revenues and an unproven film. That company was Pixar, and against all odds, Toy Story became a smash hit, the stock soared, and the deal rewrote the rules for tech investing while cementing Jobs as a visionary. Hear the untold stories behind one of Silicon Valley's most improbable successes from Lawrence Levy (Former Pixar CFO), Mike McCaffery (Former Robertson Stephens CEO), and Cristina Morgan (Former Head of Technology Investment Banking for Hambrecht & Quist). This program was coproduced by Paul Noglows, formerly with Hambrecht & Quist, and JP Mark, formerly with Robertson Stephens. Both are coauthors of an upcoming book on these firms, and Paul moderated the discussion.It was made possible by the generous support of J.P. Morgan.This conversation was recorded on November 20, 2025 at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California, as a part of the CHM Live series. To watch a video of this program, please visit the Computer History Museum's YouTube channel.To learn more about the Computer History Museum and our upcoming CHM Live events, visit our website at www.computerhistory.org

How did Taiwan ascend to such great heights in high-tech manufacturing? Honghong Tinn, author of Island Tinkerers, shares the fascinating history of how hobbyists and enthusiasts in Taiwan helped transform the country through innovative and creative computer use. CHM Curator Hansen Hsu moderates.This conversation was recorded on November 4, 2025, at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California, as a part of the CHM Live series. To watch a video of this program, please visit the Computer History Museum's YouTube channel.To learn more about the Computer History Museum and our upcoming CHM Live events, visit our website at www.computerhistory.org

How could a machine that transformed the way people interact with computers also be a commercial flop? On January 31, 2023, CHM gathered key insiders to celebrate the Apple Lisa’s innovations, explore its ongoing impact, and learn lessons from its failure. The Program was divided into three segments:"Birth" with original Lisa Team members Bruce Daniels, Wayne Rosing and John Couch (via recording)"This is Your Life, Lisa" with Graphic Designer Annette Wagner, Developer Bill Atkinson (via recording), and CHM's then President and CEO, Dan'l Lewin, who was the Lisa's Market Development Manager."Death and Afterlife" with Steven Levy, Journalist and Wired Editor-at-LargeThe program was moderated by New York Times contributor and author Katie Hafner.This conversation was recorded at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California, as a part of the CHM Live series. To watch a video of this program, which includes a recorded Lisa demo and short film from The Verge, please visit the Computer History Museum's YouTube channel.To learn more about the Computer History Museum and our upcoming CHM Live events, visit our website at www.computerhistory.org

Despite the hype, AI is far from an overnight success. The story of AI is full of both booms and busts stretching back many decades. Jerry Kaplan, cofounder of Teknowledge, Adam Cheyer, cofounder of Siri, and Daniela Rus, cofounder of Liquid AI came together for a conversation about AI's evolution that was moderated by CHM's Director and Curator of the Internet History Program, Marc Weber.This CHM Live event was made possible by the generous support of Mark and Mary Stevens. It was recorded at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California on October 7, 2025.To watch a video of this program, please visit the Computer History Museum's YouTube channel.To learn more about the Computer History Museum and our upcoming CHM Live events, visit our website at www.computerhistory.org

Did you know that Bulgaria became an electronics powerhouse during the Cold War? In an illuminating lecture for CHM Live, historian Victor Petrov shared insights from his new book, Balkan Cyberia, a CHM Book Prize winner.This conversation was recorded on September 18, 2025 at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California. To watch a video of this program, including the visuals shown in the presentation, please visit the Computer History Museum's YouTube channel.To learn more about the Computer History Museum and our upcoming CHM Live events, visit our website at www.computerhistory.org

With the latest iPhone recently announced, we're sharing this conversation from 2017 about how the first iPhone came to be. In this episode, John Markoff interviews original iPhone Software Team Leader Scott Forstall.The previous episode was Part 1 of this conversation and featured members of the original iPhone Engineering team.This conversation was recorded on June 20, 2017 at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California, as a part of the CHM Live series. To watch a video of this program, please visit the Computer History Museum's YouTube channel.To learn more about the Computer History Museum and our upcoming CHM Live events, visit our website at www.computerhistory.org