Abstract
Twenty-five years ago computers were a collection of boxes in a room, with input, output, memory, and central processor. Programs could be stored and manipulated just like data. Although computers in those days were used mostly for numerical calculations, it was clear that the sorting functions could be used for non-numerical applications. The notion of higher-level languages was around. Some of the hardware utilized transistors (although perhaps point contact germanium); and punched cards and drums were common. Magnetic core memeory and magnetic tape were being developed. The boxes in the computer room had lots of switches and lights, and the people manipulating these were clearly of an elite (if not yet quite professional) class.
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