Two new IEEE SV Tech History meetings at the Keypoint Credit Union in Santa Clara:

• October 9: Origins & History of the Computer History Museum. Panelists: Len Shustek and John Hollar; moderator: Alan J Weissberger

• Nov 5: Early History of Silicon Valley: Panelists: Ted Hoff and Norm Pond; Moderator and topic introductions by Paul Wesling 

Oct 9th meeting: Origins & History of the Computer History Museum- celebrating its 35th birthday in 2014

Abstract:

Given the importance of computers to our civilization, why are there so few museums dedicated to preserving and celebrating the history of the Information Age?  The Computer History Museum  (CHM) is the world’s leading institution exploring the history of computing and its ongoing impact on society.

In 2014 the museum celebrates its 35th anniversary, dated from its roots as The Computer Museum in Boston in 1979. Come hear its two leaders, the Chairman of the Board and the President/CEO, describe the joys, frustrations, and ultimate success of that odyssey.

There are several interesting CHM stories that will be told for the first time, which will surely captivate the audience.   You’ll also get to learn about the professional lives of Len and John along with their passion and motivation for the history of computing.  That should be very interesting, informative and entertaining.

Bio’s of the Panelists:

Len Shustek, PhD is co-founder and chairman of the board of trustees of the Computer History Museum.

In 1979, he co-founded Nestar Systems, an early developer of networks for personal computers. In 1986, he co-founded Network General, a manufacturer of network analysis tools including The SnifferT. The company became Network Associates after merging with McAfee Associates and PGP. He has taught Computer Science at Carnegie-Mellon and Stanford Universities, and was a founder of the “angel financing” firm VenCraft. He has served on various boards, including Polytechnic Institute of New York University.  Shustek has a BS and MS in Physics from Polytechnic Institute, and an MS and PhD in Computer Science from Stanford University.

John C. Hollar, JD is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Computer History Museum.

Since 2008 he has directed the Museum’s strategic planning and is responsible for all aspects of its operations, including collections, exhibitions, education, fundraising, and public programs.  Hollar’s career spans global media production, law and public policy. Before joining the Museum, he was President of Penguin Television Ltd. and Pearson Broadband Ltd. in London. Before that he served as Executive Vice President of the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), where he founded and launched the award-winning PBS.org, PBSKids.org and a wide array of national education services. He has been the executive producer of more than 200 hours of documentary and children’s television. His productions teams have won BAFTA, Webby, Codie and Milia d’Or awards in digital content among many other awards.  He is a voting member of BAFTA, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. He serves as a Fellow of the Royal Society for the Arts and is a past member of the selection committee for the Fulbright Awards conferred by the US/UK Fulbright Commission in London. He is also a Senior Fellow of the American Leadership Forum-Silicon Valley.  Hollar holds bachelor’s degrees in journalism and political science from Southern Methodist University and a juris doctor from Harvard Law School.

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The Oct 9, 2014 event was video recorded and is available here.

The CHM presentation by Len Shustek, PhD and John Hollar, JD may be accessed here

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Nov 5th  meeting:  Early History of Silicon Valley (1907-1970)

Note: The early history of Silicon Valley meeting was originally scheduled for June, but was postponed till Sept and then again till early Nov. which is the first time we could get all three participants together for the meeting.

Four time period’s will be examined during this History of Silicon Valley session:

a] 1907-1932 Early tech history of Santa Clara County: 10 minutes- slide presentation by Paul with Norm and/or Ted commenting afterwards if they have anything else to add.

b] 1933-1947 Vaccum tube development & applications (radio, telecommunications, etc); Stanford University co-operation with industry, Charles Litton’s role in shaping Silicon Valley, WW II technology (code breaking?) developed here, etc 30 minutes

c] 1948-1959 Pushing limits of vacuum tubes & new applications e.g. FM radio & TV; microwave communications for long distance telephony, manufacturing process development, new materials, etc 15 minutes

d] 1960-1970 Start of IC era, Stanford Univ (Ted), Shockley Labs–>Fairchild–>new semiconductor companies (Intel, AMD, National, Intersil, many others); MOS process development; MOS LSI memories, calculator, micro-controllers; magnetic media (disc, tape, etc); bipolar ICs/SSI and MSI circuits change system design methodology; process equipment development, environment/atmosphere in Santa Clara county vs today (what’s changed?).

Venue:  Keypoint Credit Union   2805 Bowers Ave.    Santa Clara, CA 95051

Time-line (for all our meetings):

6pm-6:30pm  Networking and light dinner ($5 donation requested)

6:30pm-6:35pm  Opening Remarks & Introduction

6:35pm-8pm    Presentations & Panel Discussion

8pm-8:15pm    Audience Q & A

8:15pm              Appreciation & Adjournment

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