The Cold War and Consumerism: Crash Course Computer Science

The video explores the evolution of computing from the mid-1940s to the 1970s, highlighting key developments such as the impact of the Cold War, the space race, and the rise of consumer electronics. It discusses the role of government funding in advancing computing technology and the emergence of home computing. The video also examines the global competition in the electronics industry, particularly between the US and Japan, and how these factors set the stage for modern computing innovations.

What period does the video describe as the formative era of computing?

• Mid-1940s to mid-1970s

• Mid-1950s to mid-1980s

• Mid-1960s to mid-1990s

• Mid-1970s to mid-2000s

Which computer was the first commercially successful model?

• WHIRLWIND

• ATLAS

• UNIVAC I

• ENIAC

What was the Memex envisioned by Vannevar Bush?

• A type of early computer game

• A hypothetical computing device to store and access information

• A government-funded research project

• A device to augment human physical abilities

Which country launched the first human into space?

• United States

• China

• Soviet Union

• Japan

What technology did NASA use for the Apollo Guidance Computer?

• Mechanical relays

• Discrete transistors

• Vacuum tubes

• Integrated circuits

What was a major factor in the Japanese dominance of the semiconductor industry?

• Economies of scale and automation

• Government contracts

• High profit margins

• Exclusive technology patents

Which product marked the breakout of computing in the 1970s?

• Desktop computers

• Handheld electronic calculators

• Supercomputers

• Mainframe computers

What was the significance of the Altair 8800?

• First supercomputer

• First home computer

• First gaming console

• First integrated circuit

What role did government funding play in the evolution of computing?

• It enabled early adoption of new technologies

• It was irrelevant to computing progress

• It hindered technological advancements

• It focused solely on consumer electronics

What was a key outcome of the Cold War on computing technology?

• Reduced international collaboration

• Decreased government spending

• Increased consumer demand

• Accelerated technological advancements