TX-2
Circuit module from the TX-2
DeveloperMIT Lincoln Laboratory
Product familyTX
Release date1958 (1958)
PredecessorTX-0

The MIT Lincoln Laboratory TX-2 computer was the successor to the Lincoln TX-0 and was known for its role in advancing both artificial intelligence and human–computer interaction. Wesley A. Clark was the chief architect of the TX-2.[1]

Specifications

The TX-2 was a transistor-based computer using the then-huge amount of 64K 36-bit words of magnetic-core memory. The TX-2 became operational in 1958.[2][3] Because of its powerful capabilities, Ivan Sutherland's revolutionary Sketchpad program was developed for and ran on the TX-2.[4][5] One of its key features was the ability to directly interact with the computer through a graphical display.[6]

The compiler was developed by Lawrence Roberts while he was studying at the MIT Lincoln Laboratory.[7]

Relationship with DEC

Digital Equipment Corporation was a spin-off of the TX-0 and TX-2 projects. The TX-2 Tape System was a block addressable 1/2" tape developed for the TX-2 by Tom Stockebrand which evolved into LINCtape and DECtape.

Role in creating the Internet

Dr. Leonard Kleinrock developed the mathematical theory of packet networks which he successfully simulated on the TX-2 computer at Lincoln Lab.

References

  1. ^ Joseph November (2012). "The LINC Revolution". Biomedial Computing, Digitizing Life in the United States. The Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 144.
  2. ^ Computers and People. Berkeley Enterprises. 1961. p. 312.
  3. ^ Boast, Robin (2017-03-15). The Machine in the Ghost: Digitality and Its Consequences. Reaktion Books. pp. 131–132. ISBN 9781780237879.
  4. ^ Reilly, Edwin D. (2003) Milestones in Computer Science and Information Technology Greenwood Publishing Group ISBN 9781573565219 pg 261
  5. ^ Kalay, Yehuda E. (2004) Architecture's New Media: Principles, Theories, and Methods of Computer-aided Design MIT Press ISBN 9780262112840 pg 66
  6. ^ Naughton, John (1999): A brief history of the future: the origins of the internet, London, p. 71
  7. ^ Lawrence, Roberts G. (June 1963). "Machine perception of three dimensional solids". PhD Thesis: 82.

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