The Minuteman D-17b: From Missile Guidance to Desktop Computing
The origin of the ubiquitous desktop computer can be traced back to a surprising source – the Minuteman D-17b, the computer that powered the intercontinental ballistic missile of the same name in the early 1960s. While it may seem strange that a missile computer would have any connection to desktop computing, the story behind it is fascinating.
As the Minuteman 1 missiles were being phased out in favor of the newer Minuteman 2, the computers inside these missiles were given to universities and research institutions free of charge in the late 1960s. These computers were unlike the large, room-filling machines that were typical of the time. According to Alexander the ok, a YouTube channel, the Minuteman D-17b can be considered a “desktop” computer because it was a general-purpose machine small and light enough to be handled by a single person.
The guidance section of the missile, including the Minuteman D-17b computer, was sent to universities after decommissioning. This explains the cylindrical form factor seen in images of the computer. Originally, these machines were designed for guidance purposes, utilizing gyroscopes and accelerometers for inertial navigation. The D-17b calculated the necessary trajectories in real-time, making it a remarkable feat of computing for its time.
The Minuteman missile itself was smaller than expected, measuring only 17 meters in height and 170 cm in width. The guidance section containing the D-17b was 75 cm wide and 80 cm high, making it larger than a typical desktop PC but still suitable for a desk.
The D-17b computer weighed 28kg and featured a dodecagonal chassis. Unlike modern computers with integrated circuits, it utilized 75 individual circuit boards, each controlling different aspects of the computer’s functions. Its transistor count was notably low, around 1,500, due to reliability concerns at the time. In comparison, even a modest smartphone chip today contains billions of transistors.
The other major component of the D-17b was its magnetic hard drive. While the IBM 350, the first commercial hard drive, weighed a metric tonne, the D-17b’s drive was a remarkable achievement in miniaturization. Although the storage capacity is unknown, the data storage and recall capabilities of the drive contributed to the D-17b’s status as a general-purpose computer.
Although the D-17b had a high price tag of approximately $2 million, it paved the way for delivering computational performance in a compact package. Today, you can still see a D-17b at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California, and another is on display in a museum in Montana.
While the Minuteman D-17b may not resemble the computers we recognize today, it played a significant role in the miniaturization of computing technology. It is remarkable to think that something as destructive as a nuclear missile contributed to the wonders of modern computing.
Additional facts:
– The Minuteman D-17b was part of a series of intercontinental ballistic missile systems developed by the United States Air Force during the Cold War.
– The D-17b was considered a significant advancement in computer technology for its time, despite its limitations compared to modern computers.
– The Minuteman missile system was designed to be launched from underground silos and had the ability to carry multiple nuclear warheads.
– The guidance system, which included the D-17b computer, played a crucial role in ensuring the accuracy of the missile’s trajectory.
– The D-17b computer was not the only innovation from the Minuteman program. It also introduced other technological advancements, such as solid-fuel rocket motors and lightweight materials.
– The Minuteman D-17b was eventually replaced by more advanced missile systems as technology continued to evolve.
Key questions and answers:
1. What was the role of the Minuteman D-17b computer in the missile system?
The D-17b computer was responsible for calculating and controlling the missile’s trajectory in real-time using gyroscopes and accelerometers for inertial navigation.
2. How did the Minuteman D-17b contribute to the advancement of computing technology?
The D-17b played a significant role in the miniaturization of computer technology, exemplifying the concept of a compact and general-purpose machine that could be handled by a single person.
3. What was the significance of the Minuteman program in the context of the Cold War?
The Minuteman missile program was a key part of the United States’ nuclear deterrent strategy during the Cold War, providing the capability to launch intercontinental ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads.
Key challenges or controversies:
– The development and deployment of nuclear weapons and missile systems such as the Minuteman D-17b have always been surrounded by ethical and political controversies.
– The arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War led to a significant escalation in nuclear weapon capabilities, raising concerns about the potential for catastrophic destruction.
Advantages:
– The Minuteman D-17b represented a significant advancement in computer technology for its time, paving the way for the miniaturization of computing devices.
– The D-17b’s real-time calculation capabilities and compact design made it highly suitable for guidance purposes in the missile system.
Disadvantages:
– The D-17b computer had limitations compared to modern computers, such as its reliance on individual circuit boards and a low transistor count.
– The decommissioning and distribution of the Minuteman D-17b computers raised questions about potential security risks and the handling of sensitive military technology.
Suggested related links:
– Computer History Museum: The official website of the Computer History Museum, which houses the Minuteman D-17b and provides more information about its significance in computing history.
– United States Army Center of Military History: Provides historical resources and information about the development of missile systems like the Minuteman during the Cold War.
The source of the article is from the blog meltyfan.es