Random conversation in Matt McGrath’s office a couple years ago after reading Nick Chrisman’s book we all knew

Norman Ramsey develops the Atomic Clock

• Norman Ramsey develops the Atomic Clock

• Based upon Isidor Rabi’s (Columbia – quantum physicist) research between 1938-1940 on measuring the natural resonate frequencies of atoms
• Atoms pass twice through an oscillating magnetic field – the oscillating field becomes a metronome to generate time pulses

Development began on the USAF’s SAGE (Semi Automatic Ground Environment) air defense system

• Development began on the USAF’s SAGE (Semi Automatic Ground Environment) air defense system

• The first graphic system
• Outgrowth of MIT's Lincoln Laboratory WHIRLWIND 1
• Developed by IBM, Western Electric, RAND, and Burroughs
• Used CRT displays to show computer-processed radar data and other information
• 22 SAGE command centers
• IBM built the AN/FSQ-7
• 250 ton computer
• 49,000 vacuum tubes
• 3,000,000 watts of power