"WHAT IS A COMPUTER?" 1970 ANIMATED EDUCATIONAL FILM BASIC PRINCIPLES OF COMPUTING SM10455
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Year Published: 1970
Creator: argo-record-company-distributed-by-encyclopedia-brittanica-films
Description: "What is a Computer?" is a 1970 animated film by the Argo Record Company which was distributed by Encyclopedia Brittanica Films. It explains the evolution and basic principles of computing, using the metaphor of counting sheep to illustrate how repetitive tasks led to the development of computational systems. It starts with simple methods like using fingers or stones (unitary system) to count, progressing to the decimal system and the abacus for better efficiency. The narrative then introduces the binary system—using ones and zeros (bits)—as the foundation of modern computing, showing how these bits can represent on/off states in devices like switches, lamps, or punched cards. It describes how early computers process data through input (e.g., punched cards), storage (e.g., magnetic fields), and output (e.g., typewriters), with programs controlling operations via switches. The text covers flowcharts for logical problem-solving, binary logic circuits ("and," "not," "or"), and the computer’s strengths: fast calculations, complex switching, and vast storage. It highlights applications like automation, information retrieval, and space travel, where computers simulate conditions using alphanumeric data. Finally, it speculates on future possibilities—coding emotions like love or courage—while humorously suggesting counting sheep if the concept overwhelms, tying back to the opening metaphor. 1:00 - Counting sheep is boring and repetitive, ideal for machines to handle. 1:08 - A machine to count sheep could improve on the unitary system of one finger or stone per sheep, using stones as memory. 1:37 - Many sheep need many stones; the decimal system improves this by counting in tens with columns. 2:02 - Framing stones creates an abacus, a quick way to store and register numbers. 2:17 - Lamps replace stones, and switches let sheep count themselves, forming a simple computer with input, control, and output. 2:52 - In decimal, each leftward number multiplies by ten; in binary, by two, using only one and zero. 3:27 - Binary digits (bits) represent on/off states like lamps, current, switches, or magnetic fields. 4:03 - Bits also show as holes in punched cards, enabling number input into computers. 5:03 - Punched cards convert to pulses via electric rollers, storing numbers in magnets as memory. 5:54 - Pulses release stored numbers to a register or operate switches for instructions. 6:27 - Instruction pulses form a program, stored separately from input data. 7:06 - Program and data are stored, then a pulse triggers calculation, printing results via typewriter. 7:55 - Programs remain reusable, unlike consumed data; reference tables in backup stores like tapes aid routine tasks. 8:52 - Input can be alphabetical too, forming alphanumeric data separated by codes. 10:00 - Programs and data are punched into tape, processed, and output clearly via typewriter. 10:28 - Problems need logical flowcharts, like juggling steps with yes/no checks. 11:25 - Logical statements (true=1, false=0) form switching circuits, e.g., "elephants have big ears" (1) vs. "can fly" (0). 12:26 - "And" circuits combine conditions (e.g., tide in, weather good) for true/false results. 13:18 - "Not" circuits (e.g., "not John Smith") and "or" circuits (e.g., raincoat or umbrella) expand logic. 14:16 - Computers excel at fast calculations, complex switches, and vast storage. 15:03 - Calculation-focused computers have large processors; automation needs specialized ones; retrieval favors big backup stores. 15:59 - Space travel uses complex computers to simulate rocket conditions, integrating diverse expert inputs. 17:15 - Every possibility is checked before rocket production. 17:33 - One and zero can describe pictures, music, and more, but not yet emotions like love or courage—though it’s possible someday. 18:17 - If this keeps you awake, count sheep.
Complete Record: "What is a Computer?" is a 1970 animated film by the Argo Record Company which was distributed by Encyclopedia Brittanica Films. It explains the evolution and basic principles of computing, using the metaphor of counting sheep to illustrate how repetitive tasks led to the development of computational systems. It starts with simple methods like using fingers or stones (unitary system) to count, progressing to the decimal system and the abacus for better efficiency. The narrative then introduces the binary system—using ones and zeros (bits)—as the foundation of modern computing, showing how these bits can represent on/off states in devices like switches, lamps, or punched cards. It describes how early computers process data through input (e.g., punched cards), storage (e.g., magnetic fields), and output (e.g., typewriters), with programs controlling operations via switches. The text covers flowcharts for logical problem-solving, binary logic circuits ("and," "not," "or"), and the computer’s strengths: fast calculations, complex switching, and vast storage. It highlights applications like automation, information retrieval, and space travel, where computers simulate conditions using alphanumeric data. Finally, it speculates on future possibilities—coding emotions like love or courage—while humorously suggesting counting sheep if the concept overwhelms, tying back to the opening metaphor. 1:00 - Counting sheep is boring and repetitive, ideal for machines to handle. 1:08 - A machine to count sheep could improve on the unitary system of one finger or stone per sheep, using stones as memory. 1:37 - Many sheep need many stones; the decimal system improves this by counting in tens with columns. 2:02 - Framing stones creates an abacus, a quick way to store and register numbers. 2:17 - Lamps replace stones, and switches let sheep count themselves, forming a simple computer with input, control, and output. 2:52 - In decimal, each leftward number multiplies by ten; in binary, by two, using only one and zero. 3:27 - Binary digits (bits) represent on/off states like lamps, current, switches, or magnetic fields. 4:03 - Bits also show as holes in punched cards, enabling number input into computers. 5:03 - Punched cards convert to pulses via electric rollers, storing numbers in magnets as memory. 5:54 - Pulses release stored numbers to a register or operate switches for instructions. 6:27 - Instruction pulses form a program, stored separately from input data. 7:06 - Program and data are stored, then a pulse triggers calculation, printing results via typewriter. 7:55 - Programs remain reusable, unlike consumed data; reference tables in backup stores like tapes aid routine tasks. 8:52 - Input can be alphabetical too, forming alphanumeric data separated by codes. 10:00 - Programs and data are punched into tape, processed, and output clearly via typewriter. 10:28 - Problems need logical flowcharts, like juggling steps with yes/no checks. 11:25 - Logical statements (true=1, false=0) form switching circuits, e.g., "elephants have big ears" (1) vs. "can fly" (0). 12:26 - "And" circuits combine conditions (e.g., tide in, weather good) for true/false results. 13:18 - "Not" circuits (e.g., "not John Smith") and "or" circuits (e.g., raincoat or umbrella) expand logic. 14:16 - Computers excel at fast calculations, complex switches, and vast storage. 15:03 - Calculation-focused computers have large processors; automation needs specialized ones; retrieval favors big backup stores. 15:59 - Space travel uses complex computers to simulate rocket conditions, integrating diverse expert inputs. 17:15 - Every possibility is checked before rocket production. 17:33 - One and zero can describe pictures, music, and more, but not yet emotions like love or courage—though it’s possible someday. 18:17 - If this keeps you awake, count sheep.
Transcription
e [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] counting sheep sends you to sleep why because like all boring jobs it's simple and repetitious it would be good if machines could do all the boring and repetitious jobs let's make one that will count our sheep for us one finger to one sheep is the unitary system to improve on fingers we use Stones if we forget how many sheep have passed the stone act as a record they are a memory store lots of sheep need lots of stones an improvement on the unitary system of one sheep to one stone is the decimal [Music] system by putting stones into columns and counting in tens 36 Stones can represent 10,000 put a frame around them and they become an abacus the number can be seen at a glance the Abacus both stores and registers the number the abicus can be improved upon by making the stones into lamps then by adding a switch the sheep can count themselves the Sheep switch and register can be thought of as input control and output this is a simple Computing device in the decimal system each number to the left is multiplied by 10 in the binary system each number to the left is multiplied by two but the numbers are added to get the result in this system any number can be expressed with the digits one and zero they are called binary digits or bits they can represent the onoff state of the lamps a current flowing or not flowing [Music] a switch open or closed a positive or negative wave form a positive or negative magnetic field a positive or negative spot on a magnetic tape disc or drum the presence or absence of a hole in a punched [Music] card by combining these devices in different ways numbers can be put into a computer processed and the result shown first a number is put into a punched card then this is passed over an electric roller wire brushes touch the roller where there was a hole in the card and the number on the card is converted to pulses positive and negative pulses create positive and negative fields in sets of magnets the magnets act as a memory store these numbers can be later released and shown on a register a pulse can operate a switch in this way instructions can be sent to different parts of the [Music] computer these instruction pulses can be stored in the memory and later released to operate the correct switches the switching instruction is called the program this is stored first then the numbers to be calculated are stored and they are called the input data first the program is put in and stored in the processor then the input data is put in and stored separately when both the program and the input data are stored the computer is ready to begin a pulse will release the program and the numbers are [Music] calculated when the calculation is finished the result goes to an electric typewriter and the answer printed out the input data has been used up by the program remains to be used as often as required if you had lots of routine calculations to do you would use reference tables computers keep reference tables in a permanent memory called a backup store the reference tables are kept on punched card magnetic tapes discs and drums they are switched to whenever [Music] needed so far all the input data has been numerical but it can also be alphabetical the combination of words and numbers is called alpha numeric numbers are put in one block and separated from words by a code signal the next block of information is words and so on the punch tape is passed over a recording head and the words and numbers are stored until [Music] needed to sum up the program and input data are typed out and automatically transcribed into punch tape this is fed into the computer and [Music] processed the answer is punched into tape and this tape is fed into the output typewriter where the answer is clearly shown before a problem can be put into a computer it must be broken down into a series of simple and logical steps this is called a flowchart imagine a man learning to juggle the sequence of steps would be pickup clubs toss them in the air catch them did you catch them no start again pick up clubs toss them in the air catch them did you catch them yes finish a better flow chart would have a fix number of clubs and work progressively towards [Music] it logical statements are either true or false these can be shown by one and zero elephants have big ears is true and equals one elephants can fly is false and equals zero elephants have big ears and can fly is false and equals zero this is the and switching [Music] circuit statements can be set out as switching circuits to show all possibilities supposing a ship wants to put to Sea first the tide must be in and the weather must be [Music] good and the captain must be sober and the Harbor Master informed a series of and switches will show the result [Music] [Applause] [Music] another logic circuit is the not relation this is John Smith this is not John Smith it is raining it is not raining then the or relation can also be shown as a switching [Music] circuit John Smith is wearing a raincoat or carrying an umbrella he may be doing both the statement is true whether he is doing one or both at the same [Music] time a simple combination of switches would show that this is John Smith it is raining and he is car a raincoat if it were not John Smith then the statement would have been false the computer can do three things extremely well calculate very fast operate complex sequences of switches store vast quantities of information computers used mainly for calculating have a large processor and a small backup store automation requires continual checking and surveillance of a process a computer used here would have several small but highly specialized processors each dealing with its own task a computer used for information retrieval requires a large backup store but a relatively small [Music] processor this type of computer may be used in a large company with thousands of files relating to sales organization accounts stock Control Management decisions and so on time money and effort is saved by having all this information instantly available the most complex use of the computer is in space travel before a rocket can be sent to the Moon all the conditions it's likely to meet must be simulated Engineers doctors chemists weathermen physicists Communications experts Must ALL translate their work in terms that a computer can understand when this has been done all the alternatives are [Applause] compared only when every possibility has been considered and checked will the rocket go into production [Music] there seems to be no limits to what can be described by one and zero pictures movement music and color can all be processed stored and retrieved can the computer handle any form of information so far no one is used one and zero to describe love or hate fear or courage courage generosity or greed goodness or evil but it's quite possible these two will find ways of being computerized it may be a long way off but if the thought of it makes you lose your sleep you can always try counting sheep [Applause] a [Music] [Applause] a [Applause] [Music]
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