Wonderful archive ARPAnet video - but can we use it?
Post categories: Programme one
| 11:26 UK time, Wednesday, 23 September 2009
Would you like to see a snapshot of the history of the internet? Our archive researcher, Briony Clark, has discovered this wonderful piece of film titled: Computer Networks - The Heralds Of Resource Sharing (Arpanet, 1972)
This film was made in 1972 by Steven King (not Stephen King). It includes interviews with lots of the key figures involved in the ARPAnet project at MIT and an explanation of how these computer were networked / linked together.
This film is important to the story of Digital Revolution as it is, as far as we are aware, one of the only contemporary films of the ARPAnet project. The film provides a rare insight into the environment and some of personalities which helped shape ARPAnet, and consequently the internet into what we know today. The film also includes some interesting predictions into the future of the internet and how it will develop. (Wikipedia has a page with a full list of contributors.)
We would very much like to include a short clip from this film within the final Digital Revolution series, but have so far been unable to track down a high resolution copy or the rights holder - Steven King.
If you have any information about this film, have a copy of it, or have any information about Steven King or how we might contact him, we would love to here from you - either here or via the contact us form. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Comment number 1.
At 01:13 24th Sep 2009, TaiwanChallenges wrote:So now's your chance to test the six steps theory and track this guy down.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Six_degrees_of_separation
Complain about this comment (Comment number 1)
Comment number 2.
At 01:47 24th Sep 2009, TaiwanChallenges wrote:Seeing this also reminded me of a speech given by Arthur C Clarke in the early 1970s. He pretty much described the internet as it would look thirty years later, incredibly prescient.
From memory, it was reproduced in 'The view from Serendip' but was originally delivered at The Smithsonian (?) on the 100th anniversary of bell's patent for the telephone.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 2)
Comment number 3.
At 10:00 24th Sep 2009, A_PERSON_NOT_A_BOT wrote:In socnet era, it's more likely to be twain degrees of separation. I'm connected to some CAL, SRI and ARPAnet aficionados so will ask them for help.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 3)
Comment number 4.
At 10:29 24th Sep 2009, Dan Biddle wrote:It is kind of a Six Degrees experiment, isn't it... Interesting. I wonder if we'll get there. If we do, we should report how many links there were in the chain.
Any help much appreciated.
(Will look up the Arthur C Clarke speech - he keeps cropping up, doesn't he? As you say - one prescient guy!)
Complain about this comment (Comment number 4)
Comment number 5.
At 15:27 25th Sep 2009, EnglishFolkfan wrote:Oh dear, this popped up on a playlist today, one to listen to while we work?
Arthur C Clarke's Mysterious World by The Divine Comedy album victory for the Comic Muse 2006
https://open.spotify.com/track/6qKOMrjxvDJEH8CkSEpSdg
Complain about this comment (Comment number 5)
Comment number 6.
At 11:49 26th Sep 2009, A_PERSON_NOT_A_BOT wrote:Ok, I sent an msg out on a forum and the first responder directed me to this blog post:
* https://confusedofcalcutta.com/2007/05/09/steven-kings-1972-film/
Briony commented on their threads back in July 2009, so surely Steven King who also posted there is aware of BBCDigRev's interest in his film?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 6)
Comment number 7.
At 15:22 26th Sep 2009, Dan Biddle wrote:@APNAB Re the * https://confusedofcalcutta.com/2007/05/09/steven-kings-1972-film/
Nothing has come of Briony's request or the follow up. Perhaps Steven doesn't wish to be found - but his comment on that blog would suggest otherwise... Maybe he hasn't been reachable again? Who knows? That's why we're trying other routes and options.
Your efforts to help are much appreciated!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 7)
Comment number 8.
At 02:42 27th Sep 2009, SheffTim wrote:I posted this on Digg; perhaps its a generational thing. It may be worth also entering on other aggregators such as Technorati etc. Not playing the game, just reaching out. Have you tried contacting MIT to trace his collaborators?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 8)