Lunduke
News • Science & Tech
A tour through computing in 1961... over 60 years ago
From the pages of the November, 1961 issue of Datamation magazine.
June 27, 2024
post photo preview

What was being a computer user or programmer like… in the early 1960s?

Let’s take a quick stroll back to November of 1961, by way of the oldest computer-specific magazine, “Datamation”.

The cover of the November, 1961 issue of Datamation.
 

John F Kennedy was President. “Big Bad John” by Jimmy Dean topped the music charts. “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” ruled the theatrical box office.

And computers were… big.

Remember when the various parts of a computer filled an entire room? Yeah. Those were fun times.

Though, not all computers filled an entire room. Take the Packard Bell 250…

That Packard Bell bad boy could hold 16,000 words (at 22 bits each) and run 40,000 calculations per second. And look at it! Only the size of a small bookshelf!

Cue manly grunting noise.

Note that there's no "monitor" or display on this computer.  The output was printed on paper via the Friden Flexowriter.

Friden Flexowriter - Photo Credit: Godfrey Manning

The Flexowriter (like many other consoles of the time) was, essentially, an electronic typewriter... which could be driven by both a connected computer, or via paper tape.  (In addition to an actual person typing on the keys, of course).

Oh!  And sending data to remote computers, in 1961, was becoming a thing!

1200 bps! Blistering speed!

But you don’t buy the “DATA-PHONE” (what Bell called a “Modem” back then)… you rented it, by the month, from Ma Bell.

Speaking of moving data around… just check out the state of the art in punch paper tape reading!

350 character per second read rate!

“Multi-colored tapes can be read interchangeably without the need of bias adjustments.”

 

“Specially designed light guide in the reading heat eliminate dirt collecting holes.”

No bias adjustments! No dirt collecting holes! The future is now!

And check out that advertisement for open positions at the top! Those early computer magazines are filled to the brim with companies practically begging people to apply for jobs. They needed programmers. Stat.

Check out this. A full page ad, near the front of the magazine, searching for applicants.

Back then you didn’t see companies looking for this language, or that framework… they were looking for simple things, like:

“Candidates must be strong technically, but primarily interested in systems applications, as the project areas involve a great deal more than just computers or hardware.”

This was code for “not just a hardware engineer… we want people who are interested in programming software.”

That was kind of a novel thing at that time.

Case in point:

 

“Software is a new and important addition to the jargon of computer users and builders. It refers to the automatic programming aids that simplify the task of telling the computer hardware how to do its job. The importance of software lies in the fact that programming a computer can be an arduous, time-consuming and costly operation and the quality of automatic programming aids ahs become virtually as important as equipment specifications in evaluating the total capability of a data processing system”

The idea of “ready to use” software was, truly, an amazing thing. Something that not every computer manufacturer or user really took advantage of.

Which… looking at it from the modern day seems wild and zany. But it’s how things were back in 1961.

I highly recommend reading the entire November, 1961 issue of Datamation. It is a wild trip into computing history.

community logo
Join the Lunduke Community
To read more articles like this, sign up and join my community today
6
What else you may like…
Videos
Podcasts
Posts
Articles
The Apache Software Foundation Drops the "Apache"

“As a non-Indigenous entity, we acknowledge that it is inappropriate for the Foundation to use Indigenous themes or language.”

And, yes. It says “1985” in the date. But, do not be fooled. For it is not actually 1985.

More from The Lunduke Journal:
https://lunduke.com/

00:09:38
September 14, 2025
Microsoft & Red Hat Employees Celebrating Charlie Kirk's Murder

At Microsoft & Red Hat -- and across Big Tech -- many employees are celebrating and encouraging murder. Microsoft has responded... but not Red Hat.

And, yes. The date on the video says 1985. But, no. It's not actually 1985.

More from The Lunduke Journal:
https://lunduke.com/

00:15:26
September 13, 2025
Open Source & Big Tech Leftists Lost Their Minds This Week

Open Source Leftists Celebrate Murder, Censor Conservatives, and say "Free Software is White Supremacy". It's been one of those weeks in the Tech world.

Lunduke's Week in Tech - Sep 13, 2025:
https://lunduke.substack.com/p/lundukes-week-in-tech-sep-13-2025

More from The Lunduke Journal:
https://lunduke.com/

00:21:48
November 22, 2023
The futility of Ad-Blockers

Ads are filling the entirety of the Web -- websites, podcasts, YouTube videos, etc. -- at an increasing rate. Prices for those ad placements are plummeting. Consumers are desperate to use ad-blockers to make the web palatable. Google (and others) are desperate to break and block ad-blockers. All of which results in... more ads and lower pay for creators.

It's a fascinatingly annoying cycle. And there's only one viable way out of it.

Looking for the Podcast RSS feed or other links? Check here:
https://lunduke.locals.com/post/4619051/lunduke-journal-link-central-tm

Give the gift of The Lunduke Journal:
https://lunduke.locals.com/post/4898317/give-the-gift-of-the-lunduke-journal

The futility of Ad-Blockers
November 21, 2023
openSUSE says "No Lunduke allowed!"

Those in power with openSUSE make it clear they will not allow me anywhere near anything related to the openSUSE project. Ever. For any reason.

Well, that settles that, then! Guess I won't be contributing to openSUSE! 🤣

Looking for the Podcast RSS feed or other links?
https://lunduke.locals.com/post/4619051/lunduke-journal-link-central-tm

Give the gift of The Lunduke Journal:
https://lunduke.locals.com/post/4898317/give-the-gift-of-the-lunduke-journal

openSUSE says "No Lunduke allowed!"
September 13, 2023
"Andreas Kling creator of Serenity OS & Ladybird Web Browser" - Lunduke’s Big Tech Show - September 13th, 2023 - Ep 044

This episode is free for all to enjoy and share.

Be sure to subscribe here at Lunduke.Locals.com to get all shows & articles (including interviews with other amazing nerds).

"Andreas Kling creator of Serenity OS & Ladybird Web Browser" - Lunduke’s Big Tech Show - September 13th, 2023 - Ep 044
September 14, 2025
New Lunduke Journal Sub Perks, Lifetime Price Increase Next Week

A quick update: There are some new perks for Lunduke Journal subscribers, and an upcoming price increase for new Lifetime Subscriptions (if you want one of those at the lower price, you have a couple days).

All the details below.

Lifetime Subscription Price Increase

This coming Friday (September 19th), the price of a new Lifetime Subscription to The Lunduke Journal will be increasing from $200 to $300. I wanted to give all of you a few days notice so you could grab one at the lower rate.

If you want to pick up a Lifetime Subscription for the lower price, simply grab one (via Locals, Substack, or Bitcoin) by Thursday night (Sep 18th).

The prices for new Yearly and Monthly subscriptions will remain the same. No changes.

Reminder: The Lunduke Journal has phased out sales and discount promotions. The current price of a subscription is the best price.

New Perks for Lunduke Journal Subscribers

I am working on adding a few new perks for Lunduke Journal subscribers — a way of saying “Thank You” for making this work possible (while still keeping all of the articles and shows free for the world).

Here are the perks as of today.

Perks for all Subscribers (Monthly, Yearly, and Lifetime):

Note: The eBooks & Games are currently only available on Locals & Substack (due to platform features). Those perks will also become available to subscribers on X, YouTube, & Patreon next week. Stay tuned for access details.

Additional (Optional) Perks only for Lifetime Subscribers:

  • The Lunduke Journal will follow your account on X.

  • Your name (real, or internet handle) listed in a special thanks slide at the end of new Lunduke Journal videos.

Both of these perks are 100% optional.

If you are a Lifetime Subscriber, and would like to take advantage of either (or both), simply email “bryan at lunduke.com” with the subject line “Lifetime Perk” (that part is important, I get so many emails this will help me see yours) and include a link to your X profile and/or the way you want your name to appear at the end of videos.

One of the nice parts of having Lunduke Journal follow your X account… is it will make it far easier (and more likely) for me to see your comments.

Thank You

I am working to expand all of the regular perks (books, etc.) to subscribers across all platforms (which was a little tricky, considering the differences in each platform, but I managed to figure out how to do it) — while adding a few new ones as well.

Nothing crazy, just a way of saying “Thank You”.

Seriously.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your support. The Lunduke Journal is only possible thanks to each and every one of you.

-Lunduke

Read full Article
September 13, 2025
post photo preview
Lunduke's Week in Tech - Sep 13, 2025
Open Source Leftists Celebrate Murder, Censor Conservatives, and say "Free Software is White Supremacy".

So many stories this week about Leftist Activists, within Open Source and Big Tech, going absolutely insane.

From celebrating the murder of Charlie Kirk to censoring Conservatives and even equating Free and Open Source Software with White Supremacy. And there’s more.

What’s truly crazy to me, is that most of these cases of Leftist insanity are from leaders within Open Source. These are the people running projects and representing companies.

Seriously. It’s wild.

Here are the stories of the week, presented in reverse chronological order.

All of these links are to Substack (where you can watch the video or listen to the audio podcast) — but all of these stories are available for free on every platform which The Lunduke Journal publishes to. Use whichever platform works for you.

Only The Lunduke Journal Told These Stories

This week I am reminded why The Lunduke Journal is important.

Over the last 7 days, we published 13 stories.

Of those 13 stories only 2 were covered by any other Tech News outlet. Two.

And, in both of those 2 stories, The Lunduke Journal is the only Tech News outlet that covered them accurately — and without a pro-Big-Tech, Left Wing bias.

If we didn’t exist, the other 11 stories wouldn’t get told at all. How crazy is that?

Thankfully the stories are spreading — with people seeing them over 9 million times last month alone.

If you want to be part of making The Lunduke Journal possible, consider becoming a subscriber. Lots of options, big and small. And all go directly towards daily operations.

Might I make a suggestion?

The Lifetime Subscription (which counts towards both Substack and Locals — and last for life) is a marvelous, one time, way to show support. And it comes with all of the perks (access to the Locals community as well as the official Lunduke Journal forum, & DRM-free eBooks).

You can snag a Lifetime Subscription via Locals, Substack, or with Bitcoin.

But, heck, any type of subscription (via any platform) is appreciated! Choose whichever works best for you!

Then be sure to go to Lunduke.com and choose the platforms which are the most convenient for you to use — The Lunduke Journal publishes all over the Inter-Tubes!

And, once again, thank you to every subscriber. This work is only possible because of you. You rule.

-Lunduke

Read full Article
September 11, 2025
Keep The Lunduke Journal Free!

So far, in 2025, The Lunduke Journal has published 246 shows — being the only Tech News outlet covering the vast majority of those stories.

All without even the slightest influence from Big Tech. No sponsorships, no ad reads, not a penny taken from any company.

And every single story — every article, podcast, & video — is free to share far and wide.

In order for The Lunduke Journal to continue doing this unique work — to keep the lights on well into the future — we need your help.

If you haven’t yet become a subscriber to The Lunduke Journal, doing so today makes a big impact. Pick one of the options below. Big or small. Monthly, Yearly, or Lifetime subscriptions — or even simply one-time donations — all make a huge difference.

Support The Lunduke Journal

Monthly or Yearly Subscriptions:
Locals, Substack, X, YouTube, or Patreon

Lifetime Subscriptions:
Pay Once, For Life (Locals & Substack)

One-Time Donations:
Locals or Bitcoin

You Make The Lunduke Journal Possible

Seriously. This is all possible because of you.

We are able to make all of this free to share with the world because of you.

Might I make a suggestion?

The Lifetime Subscription (which counts towards both Substack and Locals) is a marvelous, one time, way to show support. And it comes with all of the perks (access to the Locals community as well as the official Lunduke Journal forum, & DRM-free eBooks).

You can snag a Lifetime Subscription via Locals, Substack, or with Bitcoin. Lots of options.

But, heck, any type of subscription (via any platform) is appreciated! Choose whichever works best for you!

Then be sure to go to Lunduke.com and choose the platforms which are the most convenient for you to use — The Lunduke Journal publishes all over!

And, once again, thank you for making The Lunduke Journal possible.

-Lunduke

Read full Article
See More
Available on mobile and TV devices
google store google store app store app store
google store google store app tv store app tv store amazon store amazon store roku store roku store
Powered by Locals