JeromeSvigals

When I started with computers they were very primitive, they could only add and subtract ten digit numbers and had no storage programming. We had to propose our questions in terms that the computer could execute. My biggest surprise, I suppose, is how sophisticated they have become.

My biggest disappointment was that I wasn't smart enough to invest more money in the beginning!

With the magnetic stripe, there were six different techniques we could choose from, ranging from optical techniques, embedded metal particles, and of course the magnetics, which also came in several variations.

We chose magnetic stripes because IBM had so much experience in magnetics, which ended up being a great decision.

Yes, I do. While working at RCA on a database machine, which was being developed for the Army to inventory weapons and vehicles, we saw the potential. As nearly every industry had database problems, we realized we had a potential solution.

I did a lot of programming early until people began developing computer programs like FORETRAN which took over a lot of the menial work.

I am an Electrical Engineer and studied at the City College of New York, but not much that I studied was useful as none of the electronics I came to use existed while in college. What I did learn was the skills on how to approach a problem and solve it. The technology changed, but those skills always were relevant. However, in 2009 I was the Alumnus of the Year.

The word "bug" originated because someone found bugs in an ENIAC. We had to fumigate it to get rid of them!

It was almost impossible. They couldn't even say the name, they kept calling them compooters.