In Pictures: 30 Famous Fictional Computers
In Pictures: 30 Famous Fictional Computers
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Tom's Top 30, In Chronological Order
It seems like Hollywood’s goal is to get as far as possible from the real computers that left their mark on our epoch, as seen in Iconic Machines from Computing History. And yet, many of these fictional works have influenced our culture by producing machines that are sometimes more famous than actual historical systems. We decided to take a look back at 30 imaginary computers that defined their genres and left an indelible stamp on popular culture.
Our definition of “computer” is broadened to include artificial intelligence and robots, and while the list is in chronological order of appearance, the illustrations are mostly anachronistic. Let’s kick this journey off in the world of comic books, way back in the 1960s…
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I wouldn't call it filler. I think enthusiasts often look at science fiction for inspiration and that inspiration drives innovation.
Would we have smartphones with the capabilities they have today if it weren't for the Star Trek communicator driving people's imaginations?
If it weren't for people asking themselves "what if?" I don't believe that we would have near the wonderful devices we do today.
Don't forget it also does fingerprints in CSI as well. And when the machine is down they have to do it "old school" and it will take awhile, and have have the fingerprints displayed on what is probably 2x 60+in screens in the background. Despite them showing the prints for no more than 1 second I could tell you they were not the same print, heck they weren't even the same type of finger print. I could go on with all the stupid things they do with computers in that show.
And remember kids if you don't like this post I watch CSI "I create a GUI interface using visual basic see if I can track an IP address."
How about the female humaniform robot Futura from the black and white movie 'Metropolis' from the 1920's, GORT from 'The Day The Earth Stood Still' (the original 1950's), or the Library computer 'Prime Radient' from Azimov's 'Foundation' series.
Still more: The Great Machine and Robby from 'Forbidden Planet', NDR-113 (Andrew) from 'Bicentennial Man', Zen and ORAC from 'Blakes 7', Twiki and Dr Theopolis from 'Buck Rogers...', Ziggy from 'Quantum Leap', Proteus IV from 'Demon Seed', Max (compliance!) from 'Flight of the Navigator', Huey, Louey and Dewey from 'Silent Running', Johnny-5 from 'Short Circuit', T-800 and T-1000 from 'Terminator' series, Sonny from 'I-Robot',
Also, C3PO? R2-D2 would have been a better choice...
Also, what no BORG?
1. R2D2 - You had C2P0 and not the other robot/computer...
2. Adjutant - From StarCraft (She is more of a talking computer than a robot)