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Author Archives: GilPress
The Science of Memorable Quotes
Memorable phrases contain generic pearls of wisdom expressed with unusual combinations of words in ordinary sentences.
Posted in Quotes, Textual Analysis
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The Dirty Lives of Robots, 1794-2012
1794: “Wonderful exhibition !!! Signor Gulielmo Pittachio, the sublime wonder of the world!!! condescends to inform the public at large, and his friends in particular, that he has now opened his grand hall of exhibitions at Westminster… In the course … Continue reading
Posted in Artificial Intelligence, Automation, Robots
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First U.S. Demonstration of TV
Today in 1927, a group of newspaper reporters and dignitaries gathered at the AT&T Bell Telephone Laboratories auditorium in New York City to see the first American demonstration of something new: television. Secretary of Commerce Herbert Hoover provided the “entertainment,” … Continue reading
Posted in Telephone, Television, This day in information
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The Rise and Rise of e-Books
Twenty years ago, Sony launched the Data Discman. Its purpose was to provide quick access to electronic reference information on a pre-recorded disc. Yesterday, the Pew Internet published a new report on e-reading: “One-fifth of American adults (21%) report that they have … Continue reading
Posted in Books, ebooks
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Genealogists Drown the 1940 Census
I blogged before (see A Calculating People, February 23, 2012) about the release yesterday of the 1940 census records. Today, the Web site of the National Archives and Records Administration displays an apology for the difficulties people had in accessing the web site, … Continue reading
Posted in Censuses, Social Networks
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Digital Tipping Point: Analog Vs. Online Movie Views/Transcations
eMarketer: This year, for the first time, US consumers will pay more for online movies than they will for DVDs and Blu-ray discs. IHS Screen Digest, a media-focused research and consulting company, projects online video views and transactions in 2012 … Continue reading
Posted in Analog, Digitization, Tipping points
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Back to the Future: Re-centralizing storage
IDC: “One of the major themes affecting the HDD forecast is the shift in demand for HDDs in client devices. While PCs will continue to represent the largest market for HDDs in terms of unit shipments, revenue derived from HDDs … Continue reading
15 Minutes of Fame 2 Centuries Ago: “At Least a Twelvemonth!”
“He came on the wings of disappointment, and with his head full of acting, for it had been a theatrical party; and the play in which he had borne a part was within two days of representation, when the sudden … Continue reading
Posted in Quotes, Reputation
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The WELL: Oldest continuing online community
Today in 1985, The Whole Earth ‘Lectronic Link (the WELL) opened for business, allowing customers to register on-line to use it for $8 per month plus $2 per hour. The Well was started by Stewart Brand and Larry Brilliant as a dial-up bulletin board system … Continue reading
Bell Labs’ Phototransistor
Today in 1950, the invention of the phototransistor was announced by Bell Telephone Laboratories. This was a transistor operated by light rather than electric current, invented by Dr. John Northrup Shive. A few weeks ago, Bob Metcalfe reviewed a new history of Bell … Continue reading
Posted in Bell Labs, Innovation, Transistor
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The Story of Information 