Whirlwind: Difference between revisions
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'''Whirlwind''' was one of the very first computers; it was enormously influential, for several reasons. It was the first [[Real-time system|real-time]] computer, unlike all the other first-generation computers, which were intended only for numerical | '''Whirlwind''' was one of the very first computers; it was enormously influential, for several reasons. It was the first [[Real-time system|real-time]] computer, unlike all the other first-generation computers, which were intended only for large-scale computations for numerical [[application]]s. It was also the first computer with [[core memory]], which was invented for it. | ||
It was built out of [[vacuum tube]]s, and used a predecessor to [[microcode]] for internal control [[logic]]. | It was built out of [[vacuum tube]]s, and used a predecessor to [[microcode]] for internal control [[logic]]. | ||
Revision as of 17:45, 16 September 2018
Whirlwind was one of the very first computers; it was enormously influential, for several reasons. It was the first real-time computer, unlike all the other first-generation computers, which were intended only for large-scale computations for numerical applications. It was also the first computer with core memory, which was invented for it.
It was built out of vacuum tubes, and used a predecessor to microcode for internal control logic.
Whirlwind was orginally built for use in a flight simulator, but wound up being used to prototype the SAGE air defence system.
