Prophets, Seers, and Pioneers: Reflections on historical prognostications for the future.

EVANS, Chris; PINKERTON, John; BURKS, Arthur W.; ATANASOFF, John V. (John Vincent)

The article discusses the 1970s interviews conducted by Chris Evans, British psychologist and computer scientist, of first-generation computing professionals. the set of 20 recordings “The Pioneers of Computing” were released by the Science Museum of London, England. It focuses particularly on his last question dealing with predictions of the field 10 or twenty years in the future. Comments by computer scientist considered include John M.M. Pinkerton on the decrease in the cost of computers and cost of communications, Arthur W. Burks comparing developments in computers and computer theory, while John V. Atanasoff on the reduced size and energy requirements of future computers.