CDC 924 console in 'The Terminator'

From: Grigoni <msg_at_computerpro.com>
Date: Mon Oct 11 22:11:02 1999

Greetings again!

Having not seen the film 'The Terminator' until a few days ago (on The
SciFi Channel)... I know, I live in a cave, I was very surprised to
see a CDC 924 (or 924A ?) console, complete with Ferranti photo tape
reader evidently hooked-up in some fashion to illuminate the rear-
projection register and status displays. The scene is in the factory
populated with assembly robots towards the film's climax.

I have only seen one other 924 console (in person) in about 1975 at
an electronics surplus salvage yard in the San Fernando Valley, where it
was being used as a workbench!

IIRC, there were only about two dozen 924s made. It was a 24bit version
of the 48bit 1604, CDC's debut commercial product in 1957-58.

Does anyone have a handle on film industry computer archaeology, perhaps
contacts at studios or property shops? For years I've been meaning to
pursue this venue but alas...

I've been compiling lists of film and television shows which showcase
important computer artifacts (one would be surprised at the variety of
significant hardware in 1950-60's TV, especially sci-fi anthology
series. Any additions to these lists would be appreciated.

In addition, we seek newsreel, scholastic and training films which
highlight important information technology (I wish I had followed
school district auctions in the early 1980's when all those 16mm
films of MIT Whirlwind, AN-FSQ/17 Sage, Bendix G-15 Redstone
launch control and the like were discarded.

Michael Grigoni
Cybertheque Museum
Received on Mon Oct 11 1999 - 22:11:02 BST