Even if you aren’t a Disney fan, you probably know about EPCOT — Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow — a Disney attraction that promised a glimpse of the future. [ErnieTech] takes a glimpse at the UNIVAC computer that ran the operation in the 1980s. A lot of schools had UNIVAC 1100-series computers back in those days, so while you don’t hear as much about them as, say, IBM 360s, there are hordes of people who have used the 1100s, even if they don’t remember it.
EPCOT opened in 1982, and the UNIVAC not only ran the attraction but was also visible as part of the exhibit’s ambiance. They even used the Pepper’s Ghost illusion to superimpose a little man on top of the equipment.
Sperry used the relationship with Disney for promotional purposes. We’ve never found a good emulator for the 1100s. The UNIVAC had a 36-bit word and 6-bit characters. We’d love to see something like Hercules that could support Exec 8.
The UNIVAC originated with the Remington Rand company, which had bought Eckert-Mauchly Computer Corporation. Remington Rand later merged with the Sperry Corporation to become Sperry Rand. Eventually, the company reverted to the Sperry name before merging with Burroughs in 1986 to form UNISYS — a company that still exists today.
Brings back memories. My wife and I were at EPCOT back in the late 80s and saw the computer area. It was really ‘cool’ to see at the time for me, as a newly ‘fresh’ CS major working with real-time systems for a day job… Thought it would be a neat place to work.
Data General machines in the title photo, front right. 6053 terminals and a row of DG racks behind them.
Yep, my father installed those
in the 1980’s the only place you could get decent beer in the USA (there was a British pub).
“Sperry used the relationship with Disney for promotional purposes. We’ve never found a good emulator for the 1100s. The UNIVAC had a 36-bit word and 6-bit characters. We’d love to see something like Hercules that could support Exec 8.”
What even is that paragraph supposed to be?
Helps to watch the video. Sperry -> company that made the computer. UNIVAC -> computer under discussion. Exec 8 -> OS that ran the same computer. Hercules -> Popular IBM mainframe emulator.
Free the EXEC-8!
Thanks for showing this 🙂