Radio-Electronics: January 1959
YEAR: 1959
ITEM: Periodical
COMPANY: Gernsback Publication Inc.
COUNTRY: USA
IN OUR COLLECTION: Yes
This early 1959 cover article was entitled "Computers Speed Aircraft Design". If only they had any idea how quickly computers would speed our lives...it is right around this time that Marshall McLuhan is noting the impact of technology on our lives. Our collection includes a Heathkit ES-420 like the one that is pictured on the cover...as far as we know there are only 3 or 4 of these computers still in existence and ours is the only functioning one.
This type of analogy computer wasn't just used in the design of airplanes, it was used in the testing of airplanes too. The EAI TR-48s (also on display in our collection) were used by Boeing to test the structural strength of their planes, the flexibility and strength of the wings and the Load Alleviation and Mode Stabilization during test flights.
It was not unusual in 1950s to see a lovely young woman on the cover of an electronics magazine for what looked to be decorative purposes. Times change and now we might see Rear Admiral Grace Hopper who, in 1959, was working with others to break new ground in computing. The cover is marred by a small tear in the middle of the computer.
Documents
Documents for this item have not yet been scanned or not yet posted. There are a lot of pages...contact us if you have an immediate need. (Although there are not a lot of "immediate needs" for a 70+ year old computer!)
OUR DEFINITIONS OF RARITY
One of a Kind: Only known existing item.
Exceedingly Rare: Only 2 to 10 known to exist.
Very Rare: Only 11 to 25 are known to exist.
Rare: Only 26 to 50 are known to exist.
Difficult: Difficult to find.
Available:Can be commonly be purchased.
Unknown: We cannot make a determination.
(For comparison: Many people consider the Apple-1 computer to be rare. As of 2025 there are 92 confirmed and probable Apple-1 computers.)
We are still building. This feature will be ready by the end of December 2025.
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