Rebirth in America

In early 1956, Big Blue IBM finally emerged from its failure to develop a "defense computer." Watson got off to a bad start and failed to develop a "defense computer" before Carpenter Electronics launched the world's first transistor computer.

Their machine fell behind during the development process and was eventually ruthlessly abandoned by the Ministry of Defense. Fortunately, Watson Jr. had signed a contract for this order. Even if this computer lagged behind, the Ministry of Defense had to order a few more. This amount of money is enough to make up for the money lost by IBM.

However, the time and manpower lost by IBM cannot be compensated. This is a huge failure for Watson. He was determined to compete with Carpenter Electronics in the computer market. In the past few years, he led IBM's technical staff to thoroughly research the "first generation" transistor computer.

The key is that they have a weapon: "disk storage!"

This is after Watson Jr. failed to develop a "defense computer" and quickly asked his trusted engineer Reno Johnson to set up a new laboratory and factory. Renault, a former middle school teacher, is a self-taught inventor. He led more than 30 young engineers to develop an eye-catching technological achievement for IBM in less than three years. That's disk storage.

Now, Watson Jr. believes it's time to take revenge. He asked IBM to announce a plan: "IBM is going to invest $12 million in the development of the IBM 360 computer, which will use IBM's latest storage technology, disk storage!"

Once the news came out, it shocked all companies and researchers in the computer industry. They all asked about the details of the IBM360 plan and found that once this computer was developed, it would be the fastest computing computer in the world.

After learning the news, Alex couldn't sit still. After seeing IBM's disk storage, he shouted: "These abominable thieves! Thieves!"

It turns out that IBM's disk storage was borrowed from the disks on the "first generation" computers. However, Alex was determined to develop a large hard drive for later generations, but found that the technology at that time did not meet the requirements. So standards were lowered and large disks in the style of record players were used to record computer data. It's just that this thing, which is barely called a disk, can only be written and cannot support repeated reading and writing.

This was very close to the disk later developed by IBM, and Alex also asked his people to study real disk storage. Unexpectedly, after IBM saw this idea from the "first generation" computer, it immediately joined the research and development in this area. As a result, IBM obtained the patent for this technology first.

In terms of patent law, IBM had traces of suspected plagiarism. Alex immediately asked his lawyer to organize materials and prepare to file a lawsuit over this thing.

When Alex was cursing others, he never thought that he was also a habitual thief. Many of his songs and inventions were taken from later generations. At first, he was a little uneasy about this kind of behavior, but after doing it a lot, it became natural. He feels unhappy when others imitate him.

"We have to put some pressure on those guys!" Alex decided to see how Seymour Clay's research and development work was going.

Under the escort of bodyguards, Alex came to the research laboratory of Carpenter Electronics Company. Bart has always led the work here, and the specific research and development work is carried out by people from various groups. After he arrived, he found that Bart was already in a meeting with the group that developed disk storage. After listening to the content briefly, they were discussing IBM's research and development plan.

Everyone had different opinions, and the scene felt like a mess. After reading this, Alex felt that his father Bart might only be suitable for managing the technology application team, but not capable of leading R\u0026D work. He was thinking about whether to find time to talk to Bart, ask Bart to step aside and find a capable person to take the lead. He was very optimistic about Moses Clay, but it was a pity that this guy had the ability, but he didn't want to take care of so many people.

Alex's arrival was quickly discovered. Bart also felt a little strange. He knew that Alex didn't like doing scientific research very much. After just a brief thought, I understood the purpose of Alex's visit.

"Are you worried about IBM's 360 plan?" Bart asked seriously.

Alex nodded, looked around and said, "Where is the 'disk storage' you developed? I want to see where your current research and development progress is."

"Our research and development work is almost completed, but IBM has taken a step ahead."

"Stop talking nonsense and take me to see it quickly."

The person in charge of this research and development work immediately took him to a prototype of a disk storage machine. This machine seemed to be only the size of a 16-karat book, much smaller than the disk storage released by IBM.

"We can only do this at a young age, and we can't do it when we are young," the person in charge said.

When Alex saw it, he understood why Carpenter Electronics was slower than IBM. It turned out that the researchers developed the hard drive based on the hard drive standards Alex had mentioned. This has much higher technical requirements in all aspects, especially the manufacturing process. The one they have developed now is already the technological limit of this era.

"How much information can be stored? How long is the life of the disk?" Alex asked.

"It can store 10M of information, and the disk has a lifespan of 10 years." The person in charge replied.

The capacity of the original disk storage was very small, as large as 10M, which was already an amazing capacity. IBM's disk storage was only 6M in size. As for the 10-year lifespan, that is enough for ordinary computers. However, Alex wants to develop a longer-life disk, but the current manufacturing process has not yet reached that level.

"When can it be researched and announced to the outside world?"

"It should be fine in a few weeks."

This is good news. Looking at the huge disk storage on the table, Alex really wants it to be produced as soon as possible. Facing the approach of the blue giant IBM, Alex also felt a little panicked. He knew that he had taken the lead, but IBM's reputation was no joke. Originally, at this time in history, IBM had a lot of talents, produced countless patented inventions, and occupied 70% of the market, leaving others to stare.

If IBM were to turn things around this time, it would probably take more than ten years for Carpenter and the others to have a chance to gain the upper hand again. This is why Alex is so nervous. He does not want IBM to continue to develop. Watson and the others have connections in the government and the military. Once they are caught up by the other party, even if they seem to be caught up, the Carpenters will be suppressed.

Alex pulled Bart into the office to discuss disk storage-related issues. Both parties felt the pressure brought by IBM. Alex took the opportunity to mention: "Father, the research work is so heavy now, why don't you find a way to find someone to take over your job. You spend more time in the factory than at home, and it's not good to continue like this. Bar."

Bart thought for a while, and he felt that Alex's words made sense, but he felt a little reluctant to part with his current job. "Let's wait a few weeks until the disk storage is released," he said.

Alex didn't push him anymore, nodded and agreed. He said, "Where's Seymour Clay? I'm going to see him!"

Seymour Clay had no idea Alex was at the factory, and he and his team were completely isolated from the rest of the group. Carpenter Electronics Company is now a place protected by the military. Here, the world's most advanced computers are produced, and the next generation of fastest computers are also being researched.

When Alex saw Seymour, he was busy testing computer components and had no time to care about anything else. Even Alex stood beside him for a long time without noticing this.

"Ahem!" Alex didn't want others to disturb Seymour's research, but he didn't have that much time to spend here. He coughed several times on purpose, interrupting Seymour's work.

"Alex! Why are you here?" After Seymour reacted, he immediately recognized who the handsome young man in front of him was. After all, Alex made a very deep impression on Seymour, and sometimes he could not help but think of this strange boy in his mind.

In Seymour's eyes, Alex seemed to know everything and know everything. Sometimes, he even wonders if the other party has the ability to read minds, and why everything he thinks is known.

"Seymour! Do you know IBM's computer research and development statement?"

"IBM? I don't know. Do they have any new plans?"

Seymour was a little strange, thinking that Alex was making too much fuss. IBM is indeed powerful, but the "defense computer" they invested heavily in research and development is far inferior to the "first generation" computer. In terms of technology, Seymour believes that his side has an absolute advantage. Besides, they have been ahead for so many years, so why would they care about the pursuers behind them.

Alex couldn't help but worry about this. In later generations, IBM would simply be a giant in the computer field. No one does not live under its shadow, especially in the last thirty years of this century, IBM simply covered the sky with one hand. If it hadn't missed the personal computer era, perhaps IBM would have been able to continue to dominate the computer market into the next century.

Alex believes that enemies like IBM must not be taken lightly. He handed a document to Seymour, which was the performance parameters of the IBM 360 computer. A small part was announced by IBM itself, and the majority was speculated.

After taking the file, Seymour looked through it carefully. He compared the IBM 360 computer with the computer he designed and found that the performance of the two was about the same. In other words, whoever develops it first will win the market.

After closing the document, Seymour said with emotion: "They are quite ambitious!"

"Yes! Now you understand why I'm looking for you. I just want to know when it will take our computer to be developed."

"There are still some problems to be solved for the Cray I. If you want an exact time, I estimate it will take 2 years at the earliest."

"Two years? It can't be faster. UU Reading www.uukanshu.net" Alex was a little anxious. He was worried that IBM had already started research and development work. Now announcing the R\u0026D plan is just a matter of publicity to the market. Once IBM achieves this victory, with Old Watson's connections, it will soon be able to completely swallow up their market.

"How fast? That won't work. I already work overtime every day, and my work arrangements are taking my time."

"I'll add more people for you!"

"Any more people would be a waste. You can't expect 10 women to give birth to children within one month."

Seymour's words made everyone present chuckle. Alex also laughed. He had heard similar jokes in his previous life. It is usually used by programmers to mock their bosses or project managers for not understanding R\u0026D work when they want to meet deadlines.

However, Alex is not someone who doesn’t understand research and development. In other words, he doesn't understand now, but he will understand when needed.

"Then let me join in your research and development work!"

Alex's words surprised many people, even Seymour.

"Very good, I just have some questions that I want to ask you about." After Seymour talked to Alex last time, he was greatly inspired and had many new ideas. The current dilemma in R\u0026D work is also caused by the things Alex proposed, otherwise he would have developed it long ago

"Let's start now. Seymour, we have to hurry!"

"Then welcome to join our team!" Seymour reached out and took Alex's hand.