Historical topics and questions

The AGC project relates to a number of important themes in the history of American science and technology in the twentieth century. These include the history of computing, Cold War technology, the cultural history of the space age, and numerous others. To begin, we have chosen to focus on three areas: (note that the documents section is organized according to these themes)

1) Human-machine interface. Throughout the Apollo program, questions came up about whether landing on the moon required human beings to operate the machines. NASA's goal, dictated by public and political considerations, was manned spaceflight, so human presence was a foregone conclusion. How did the need for astronauts-as-pilots shape the guidance and navigation system? What issues arose between the engineers designing the computer and the users (i.e. astronauts) about how to allocate tasks between human and machine? How did the innovative "user interface" of the AGC evolve? What issues arose surrounding the human interface in flight? How were astronauts trained to use the machine? How were the in-flight maintenance issues resolved? How did this experience shape human-machine issues in the fly-by-wire systems that followed Apollo?

2) Manufacturing. Designing a successful computer was not enough to make the Apollo program a success. The machines had to fit inside a cramped space, with tight environmental and weight constraints. They had to be rugged and reliable to survive the shock of launching and the astronaut's effluents. To accomplish these goals, Draper engineers innovated in packaging, design, and assembly. For example, the AGC incorporated integrated circuits, at the time a new and unproven technology. How was the decision to use IC's made? What resistance did it face? How did the AGC project affect the US semiconductor industry? 

AGCs were assembled by manufacturing companies in New England. This work shared drew on earlier industries. Wiring the magnetic core ropes, for example, had much in common with textile work, because it required threading wires through very small components. How did the companies that built the AGC make use of the industrial infrastructure and labor force of New England (or other regions)? What effect did the AGC project have on the electronics industry of those areas? How did the need for ultra-reliability affect work practices in those companies?

3) Software. Writing the AGC software necessitated a programming project of unusually large scale for the time, and one that would produce essentially zero bugs in flight. How was the project organized and managed? How did it compare to other large programming projects of the time (e.g. the IBM System/360)? Where did the programmers go to work after this project? Did they carry lessons from the AGC to other arenas? 

We are also interested in the following topics (among others):

• Institutional context surrounding the AGC; the selection of the MIT Instrumentation lab to carry out the project; its rivals, competitors, and critics

• Role and influence of American images of heroic steersman, and influence of images of Astronauts as computer operators. 

• Influence of the AGC project on fly-by-wire projects that followed, and on fly-by-wire technology used today.

• Engineering cultures at various institutions: MIT Instrumentation Lab, NASA, IBM, Raytheon, GE AC Sparkplug, etc.

• Negotiation and arguments surrounding major engineering decisions.

• Operational experiences with the AGC; subsequent hardware and software modifications.

site last updated 12-08-2002 by Alexander Brown