Edutronics Computer Data Processing Principles & File Concepts 54124 (1969)

Synopsis

This historic computer and information technology film by Edutronics, Inc. presents “Data Processing Principles Basic File Concepts,” a 1969 film focusing on the “exciting things … happening today in the world of data processing.” From business to scientific research, the “science of information” is said to be changing the world around us. Machines are being used to represent, store, manipulate, transmit, and display information, we’re told starting at mark 01:05. As we see an electronic calendar click through the 1970s the narrator predicts using such technology will be a major challenge for that decade, as we see illustrations of massive computer terminals linked to each other that promises great changes in creative engineering “by allowing man and machine to work together and people to communicate with each other more effectively.” The film explains how computers already are being used as “tools of management” (mark 02:20 ) and less as clerical devices, in addition to a variety of uses in scientific research, engineering, government, and business. Near mark 03:00 the narrator explains how data is selected, collected, data, and maintained before being processed, transmitted, and displayed to yield useful information. Basic file concepts are explained in detail starting at mark 03:38 aided by animated scenes, and later we’re told how such files can also be stored on a medium such as magnetic tape ( 06:13 ) or merged to create a composite file. See something interesting?…

Uploader's description on archive.org

Details

Running time

8 minutes

Language

English

Collection

Ephemeral Films

Subjects on the Internet Archive

• Stock Footage