Difference between revisions of "Semi-Automatic Ground Environment"
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(MITRE was also a spinoff of SAGE) |
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The '''Semi-Automatic Ground Environment''' (usually referred to by the acronym, '''SAGE''') of the USA was the earliest computerised air defense system; it used the [[Whirlwind]] machine (suitably augmented) as a prototype. | The '''Semi-Automatic Ground Environment''' (usually referred to by the acronym, '''SAGE''') of the USA was the earliest computerised air defense system; it used the [[Whirlwind]] machine (suitably augmented) as a prototype. | ||
| − | The hardware, the [[AN/FSQ-7]], was | + | The hardware, the [[AN/FSQ-7]], was designed by [[International Business Machines|IBM]], in cooperation with [[Lincoln Laboratory]], and built by IBM (and was a significant factor in their growth in expertise in computers). The software was begun by Lincoln, but the effort was taken over by the [[Rand Corporation]], whose [[System Development Division]] (where the work was done) grew so large that in November, 1956, it was spun off as the non-profit [[System Development Corporation]]. [[MITRE]] was also created by the SAGE effort, in July, 1958, as a spin-off of Lincoln, to help take the system to completion. |
| − | Whether | + | Whether SAGE would have actually worked, if called upon to do so, is unclear; but the side-effects, in improvements to computers, were immense. |
==Further reading== | ==Further reading== | ||
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* [https://www.ll.mit.edu/about/history/sage-semi-automatic-ground-environment-air-defense-system SAGE: Semi-Automatic Ground Environment Air Defense System] - good, fairly detailed history | * [https://www.ll.mit.edu/about/history/sage-semi-automatic-ground-environment-air-defense-system SAGE: Semi-Automatic Ground Environment Air Defense System] - good, fairly detailed history | ||
* [https://ed-thelen.org/sage-1.html Stories about SAGE] | * [https://ed-thelen.org/sage-1.html Stories about SAGE] | ||
| + | * [https://www.smithsonianmag.com/air-space-magazine/this-is-only-a-test-3119878/ “This Is Only a Test”] - interesting description of full-scale tests of SAGE | ||
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130217134853/http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2013/01/the-never-before-told-story-of-the-worlds-first-computer-art-its-a-sexy-dame/267439/ The Never-Before-Told Story of the World's First Computer Art (It's a Sexy Dame)] | * [https://web.archive.org/web/20130217134853/http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2013/01/the-never-before-told-story-of-the-worlds-first-computer-art-its-a-sexy-dame/267439/ The Never-Before-Told Story of the World's First Computer Art (It's a Sexy Dame)] | ||
[[Category: Early Computers]] | [[Category: Early Computers]] | ||
Revision as of 03:06, 15 February 2024
The Semi-Automatic Ground Environment (usually referred to by the acronym, SAGE) of the USA was the earliest computerised air defense system; it used the Whirlwind machine (suitably augmented) as a prototype.
The hardware, the AN/FSQ-7, was designed by IBM, in cooperation with Lincoln Laboratory, and built by IBM (and was a significant factor in their growth in expertise in computers). The software was begun by Lincoln, but the effort was taken over by the Rand Corporation, whose System Development Division (where the work was done) grew so large that in November, 1956, it was spun off as the non-profit System Development Corporation. MITRE was also created by the SAGE effort, in July, 1958, as a spin-off of Lincoln, to help take the system to completion.
Whether SAGE would have actually worked, if called upon to do so, is unclear; but the side-effects, in improvements to computers, were immense.
Further reading
- Kent C. Redmond, Thomas M. Smith, From Whirlwind to MITRE: The R&D Story of the SAGE Air Defense Computer, MIT Press, Cambridge, 2000
- John F. Jacobs, The SAGE Air Defense System: A Personal History, MITRE Corporation, Bedford, 1986
External links
- SAGE: Semi-Automatic Ground Environment Air Defense System - good, fairly detailed history
- Stories about SAGE
- “This Is Only a Test” - interesting description of full-scale tests of SAGE
- The Never-Before-Told Story of the World's First Computer Art (It's a Sexy Dame)
