Atanasoff: The Father Of The Computer

Atanasoff: The Father Of The Computer

Report this video

Atanasoff: The Father Of The Computer

SBS | May 24, 2015

History

Science

Digital technologies

Classification: General

We all know who invented the telephone, the light bulb and the airplane. But what about the computer? This is the story of John Atanasoff, and how in 1937 he unleashed the digital revolution. A story of deceit, greed, academic fraud and perhaps even murder as we try to piece together the origins of the computer and how its creator was denied his rightful place in history.

Overview

We all know who invented the telephone, the light bulb and the airplane. But what about the computer? This is the story of John Atanasoff, and how in 1937 he unleashed the digital revolution. A story of deceit, greed, academic fraud and perhaps even murder as we try to piece together the origins of the computer and how its creator was denied his rightful place in history.

Report this video

Latest History programs

View All

An epic medieval war classic about the iconic French heroin and religious martyr of the 15th century. The 13-year-old Joan of Arc receives a vision that inspires her to rid France of its oppressors.

Joan of Arc

Years 11-12 Media arts, Religious studies, History

An epic medieval war classic about the iconic French heroin and religious martyr of the 15th century. The 13-year-old Joan of Arc receives a vision that inspires her to rid France of its oppressors.

Kidnapped in Africa and enslaved in South Carolina, Aminata must navigate a revolution in New York, isolation in Nova Scotia and the jungles of Sierra Leone, in an attempt to secure her freedom.

The Book of Negroes

Years 11-12 Media arts, History

Kidnapped in Africa and enslaved in South Carolina, Aminata must navigate a revolution in New York, isolation in Nova Scotia and the jungles of Sierra Leone, in an attempt to secure her freedom.

It was perhaps the most spectacular flourishing of imagination and achievement in recorded history. In the fourth and fifth centuries BC, the Greeks built an empire that stretched across the Mediterranean from Asia to Spain. They laid the foundation of modern science, politics, warfare and philosophy, and produced some of the most breathtaking art and architecture the world has ever seen. The Greeks recounts the rise, glory, demise and legacy of the empire that marked the dawn of Western Civilisation. This episode, we recount the Greeks' heroic victory against the mighty Persian empire through the life of Themistocles, one of Athen's greatest generals. Greece, now master of the Mediterranean, undergoes one of the most startling intellectual and physical transformations in history. Pericles, the elected leader of Athens, oversees the building of the Parthenon and an extraordinary flourishing of the arts and sciences, laying the foundation for what we now call "Western Culture."

Empires: The Greeks - Crucible of Civilization: The Golden Age

Years 9-10, 11-12 Ancient history, History

It was perhaps the most spectacular flourishing of imagination and achievement in recorded history. In the fourth and fifth centuries BC, the Greeks built an empire that stretched across the Mediterranean from Asia to Spain. They laid the foundation of modern science, politics, warfare and philosophy, and produced some of the most breathtaking art and architecture the world has ever seen. The Greeks recounts the rise, glory, demise and legacy of the empire that marked the dawn of Western Civilisation. This episode, we recount the Greeks' heroic victory against the mighty Persian empire through the life of Themistocles, one of Athen's greatest generals. Greece, now master of the Mediterranean, undergoes one of the most startling intellectual and physical transformations in history. Pericles, the elected leader of Athens, oversees the building of the Parthenon and an extraordinary flourishing of the arts and sciences, laying the foundation for what we now call "Western Culture."

New light is shed on the early birth of Islamic extremism in Afghanistan, and America's complex, ongoing battle against this enemy without borders.

1989: The Year That Made Us: Enemy Without Borders

Years 9-10, 11-12 Modern history, History

New light is shed on the early birth of Islamic extremism in Afghanistan, and America's complex, ongoing battle against this enemy without borders.

Larry King, Connie Chung and Maury Povich give their firsthand perspectives on the rise of tabloid journalism in the late 1980s.

1989: The Year That Made Us: If It Bleeds, It Leads

Years 9-10, 11-12 Modern history, History

Larry King, Connie Chung and Maury Povich give their firsthand perspectives on the rise of tabloid journalism in the late 1980s.

In 2001 and 2003 SAS captures illegal shipping on the high seas. In 2003 it joins the invasion of Iraq before returning in 2006 to a new kind of warfare in Afghanistan. The series concludes with reflections on SAS veterans' long-term health, the global threat to food security, possible tasking of SAS against narcotics, and the possibility of SAS deploying across the entire strategic spectrum.

The Australian SAS: The Untold History: Fighting the Asymmetric War

Years 9-10, 11-12 Modern history, History

In 2001 and 2003 SAS captures illegal shipping on the high seas. In 2003 it joins the invasion of Iraq before returning in 2006 to a new kind of warfare in Afghanistan. The series concludes with reflections on SAS veterans' long-term health, the global threat to food security, possible tasking of SAS against narcotics, and the possibility of SAS deploying across the entire strategic spectrum.

The family embrace the 80s, where TV and shopping dominated our leisure time. It is also the decade where technology arrives in our homes in a significant way.

Back in Time for the Weekend: The '80s

Years 9-10, 11-12 History, Design and technologies

The family embrace the 80s, where TV and shopping dominated our leisure time. It is also the decade where technology arrives in our homes in a significant way.

Australia, 1830. Edward Waterman (Phillip Hinton) and his family arrive in a remote part of Tasmania (known at the time as Van Diemen's Land). Waterman is pressured into helping British colonial forces carry out the Black Line - enforced removal of Aborigines from land near white settlements. Aboriginal woman Manganinnie survives a Black Line raid which claims the life of her husband, Meenopeekameena. During an innocent family outing in the wilderness, Waterman's young daughter Joanna becomes separated from her family leaving Manganinnie, who has been hiding in the area, to take Joanna into her care. Overcoming her initial mistrust of Manganinnie, Joanna joins her on a long journey in search of Manganinnie's people. Manganinnie is exquisitely photographed by Gary Hansen, capturing the raw beauty of Tasmania's untouched wilderness. Manganinnie explores a dark chapter in Australian history and delivers a richly textured tale of isolation and survival.

Manganinnie

Years 11-12 Media arts, Indigenous Australians, History

Australia, 1830. Edward Waterman (Phillip Hinton) and his family arrive in a remote part of Tasmania (known at the time as Van Diemen's Land). Waterman is pressured into helping British colonial forces carry out the Black Line - enforced removal of Aborigines from land near white settlements. Aboriginal woman Manganinnie survives a Black Line raid which claims the life of her husband, Meenopeekameena. During an innocent family outing in the wilderness, Waterman's young daughter Joanna becomes separated from her family leaving Manganinnie, who has been hiding in the area, to take Joanna into her care. Overcoming her initial mistrust of Manganinnie, Joanna joins her on a long journey in search of Manganinnie's people. Manganinnie is exquisitely photographed by Gary Hansen, capturing the raw beauty of Tasmania's untouched wilderness. Manganinnie explores a dark chapter in Australian history and delivers a richly textured tale of isolation and survival.

Kidnapped in Africa and enslaved in South Carolina, Aminata must navigate a revolution in New York, isolation in Nova Scotia and the jungles of Sierra Leone, in an attempt to secure her freedom.

The Book of Negroes

Years 11-12 Media arts, History

Kidnapped in Africa and enslaved in South Carolina, Aminata must navigate a revolution in New York, isolation in Nova Scotia and the jungles of Sierra Leone, in an attempt to secure her freedom.

It was perhaps the most spectacular flourishing of imagination and achievement in recorded history. In the fourth and fifth centuries BC, the Greeks built an empire that stretched across the Mediterranean from Asia to Spain. They laid the foundation of modern science, politics, warfare and philosophy, and produced some of the most breathtaking art and architecture the world has ever seen. The Greeks recounts the rise, glory, demise and legacy of the empire that marked the dawn of Western Civilisation. In the season premiere, The Revolution tells the story of the troubled birth of the world's first democracy, Ancient Athens, through the life of an Athenian nobleman, Cleisthenes. In the brutal world of the fifth century BC, the Athenians struggle against a series of tyrants and their greatest rival, Sparta, to create a new "society of equals." The program closes on the eve of the new society's first great test: invasion by the mighty empire of Persia.

Empires: The Greeks - Crucible of Civilization: The Revolution

Years 9-10, 11-12 Ancient history, History

It was perhaps the most spectacular flourishing of imagination and achievement in recorded history. In the fourth and fifth centuries BC, the Greeks built an empire that stretched across the Mediterranean from Asia to Spain. They laid the foundation of modern science, politics, warfare and philosophy, and produced some of the most breathtaking art and architecture the world has ever seen. The Greeks recounts the rise, glory, demise and legacy of the empire that marked the dawn of Western Civilisation. In the season premiere, The Revolution tells the story of the troubled birth of the world's first democracy, Ancient Athens, through the life of an Athenian nobleman, Cleisthenes. In the brutal world of the fifth century BC, the Athenians struggle against a series of tyrants and their greatest rival, Sparta, to create a new "society of equals." The program closes on the eve of the new society's first great test: invasion by the mighty empire of Persia.

To celebrate the web's 50th birthday, we take a fun, nostalgic romp down the cyber memory lane, from the early days through today.

Inside the Internet: 50 Years Later

Years 9-10, 11-12 Digital technologies, History

To celebrate the web's 50th birthday, we take a fun, nostalgic romp down the cyber memory lane, from the early days through today.

Boudica is revered as one of the greatest female warriors in history. Tony Robinson traces her story and follows a major excavation in Norfolk that may hold the key to uncovering what happened to Boudica's tribe after they were defeated by the Roman army. Boudica's tribe, the Iceni, used to make exquisite torcs: jewellery that required metalworking skills more advanced than anywhere else in the world; and they left behind some of the greatest treasures of prehistory. When the Romans threatened their way of life, the tribe dared to take on the full might of the Roman Empire. But the tribe's revolt failed and as Boudica disappeared from history so did the Iceni. This Time Team Special asks whether the town was built on top of a tribal centre in order to punish the Iceni rebels, and considers whether imperial Rome simply crushed the Iceni or if Boudica led her tribe to destruction.

Time Team: Boudica's Lost Tribe: A Time Team Special

Years 9-10, 11-12 History

Boudica is revered as one of the greatest female warriors in history. Tony Robinson traces her story and follows a major excavation in Norfolk that may hold the key to uncovering what happened to Boudica's tribe after they were defeated by the Roman army. Boudica's tribe, the Iceni, used to make exquisite torcs: jewellery that required metalworking skills more advanced than anywhere else in the world; and they left behind some of the greatest treasures of prehistory. When the Romans threatened their way of life, the tribe dared to take on the full might of the Roman Empire. But the tribe's revolt failed and as Boudica disappeared from history so did the Iceni. This Time Team Special asks whether the town was built on top of a tribal centre in order to punish the Iceni rebels, and considers whether imperial Rome simply crushed the Iceni or if Boudica led her tribe to destruction.

The Ashby-Hawkins family strut into the 1970s and discover there were some unexpected upsides to the economic and political turmoil the decade is often remembered for.

Back in Time for the Weekend: The '70s

Years 9-10, 11-12 History, Design and technologies

The Ashby-Hawkins family strut into the 1970s and discover there were some unexpected upsides to the economic and political turmoil the decade is often remembered for.

The effectiveness of SAS teams is demonstrated in the assault on bin Laden's forces in the formidable Shah-i-Kot valley. SAS wins a Unit Citation for the fierce 12-day attrition battle, Operation Anaconda.

The Australian SAS: The Untold History: A War of Attrition

Years 9-10, 11-12 Modern history, History

The effectiveness of SAS teams is demonstrated in the assault on bin Laden's forces in the formidable Shah-i-Kot valley. SAS wins a Unit Citation for the fierce 12-day attrition battle, Operation Anaconda.

Pope John Paul II is the world's first 'famous' Pope. He comes into power during the height of the Cold War and serves for nearly three decades, the second longest term in papal history. Having come of age during the Nazi invasion of his native Poland, and keenly aware of the shortcomings of the Vatican during World War II, John Paul II immerses the religious office into global affairs.

Pope: The Most Powerful Man in History: Courage, Change and The Modern Papacy

Years 11-12 History, Religious studies

Pope John Paul II is the world's first 'famous' Pope. He comes into power during the height of the Cold War and serves for nearly three decades, the second longest term in papal history. Having come of age during the Nazi invasion of his native Poland, and keenly aware of the shortcomings of the Vatican during World War II, John Paul II immerses the religious office into global affairs.

In July 2016, Pope Francis makes an emotional visit to Auschwitz, the former Nazi death camp where more than 1.1 million Jews were executed. In the dark shadows of the Holocaust, the Pope prays for the forgiveness of mankind, and immerses himself in the controversial legacy of his predecessor, Pope Pius XII.

Pope: The Most Powerful Man in History: The Wartime Popes

Years 11-12 History, Religious studies

In July 2016, Pope Francis makes an emotional visit to Auschwitz, the former Nazi death camp where more than 1.1 million Jews were executed. In the dark shadows of the Holocaust, the Pope prays for the forgiveness of mankind, and immerses himself in the controversial legacy of his predecessor, Pope Pius XII.

Host and photographer Jeff Hutchens travels the length of the historical Grand Canal, taking up the challenges and customs of living on the canal.

China's Grand Canal

Years 9-10, 11-12 Geography, History

Host and photographer Jeff Hutchens travels the length of the historical Grand Canal, taking up the challenges and customs of living on the canal.

Kidnapped in Africa and enslaved in South Carolina, Aminata must navigate a revolution in New York, isolation in Nova Scotia and the jungles of Sierra Leone, in an attempt to secure her freedom.

The Book of Negroes

Years 11-12 Media arts, History

Kidnapped in Africa and enslaved in South Carolina, Aminata must navigate a revolution in New York, isolation in Nova Scotia and the jungles of Sierra Leone, in an attempt to secure her freedom.

Explores the historic relationship between the desert and Afghani immigrants in Aboriginal Australia.

Afghan Cameleers in Australia

Years 9-10, 11-12 Modern history, History

Explores the historic relationship between the desert and Afghani immigrants in Aboriginal Australia.

After 9/11, SAS joins the American-led coalition invading Afghanistan in search of Osama bin Laden, aiming to destroy his terrorist support base. In the Taliban, the SAS faces its toughest enemy ever in the shooting war in Afghanistan.

The Australian SAS: The Untold History: The Strategic Soldier

Years 9-10, 11-12 Modern history, History

After 9/11, SAS joins the American-led coalition invading Afghanistan in search of Osama bin Laden, aiming to destroy his terrorist support base. In the Taliban, the SAS faces its toughest enemy ever in the shooting war in Afghanistan.

On the July 21, 1969, Neil Armstrong became the first human being to set foot on another world. His historic first step onto the Moon not only signalled a change in human history, but in his own life as well. This is the untold story of Neil Armstrong, by those who loved, lived and worked with 'the first man on the Moon'.

Neil Armstrong: First Man on the Moon

Years 7-8, 9-10 Modern history, History

On the July 21, 1969, Neil Armstrong became the first human being to set foot on another world. His historic first step onto the Moon not only signalled a change in human history, but in his own life as well. This is the untold story of Neil Armstrong, by those who loved, lived and worked with 'the first man on the Moon'.

Following the excess and scandal of the Renaissance era, the papacy looks to reclaim its sense of morality and leadership. Men like Martin Luther and Henry VIII begin to question the previously absolute power of the papacy and initiate a splintering of what was once a universal church. Rome responds by making deep reforms and launching spiritual movements. Ignatius Loyola founds the Jesuits, a new sect of Catholicism focused on universal education for all. Pope Francis comes to power as the first Jesuit pope in history.

Pope: The Most Powerful Man in History: Revolution: A Church Divided

Years 11-12 History, Religious studies

Following the excess and scandal of the Renaissance era, the papacy looks to reclaim its sense of morality and leadership. Men like Martin Luther and Henry VIII begin to question the previously absolute power of the papacy and initiate a splintering of what was once a universal church. Rome responds by making deep reforms and launching spiritual movements. Ignatius Loyola founds the Jesuits, a new sect of Catholicism focused on universal education for all. Pope Francis comes to power as the first Jesuit pope in history.

$The Renaissance marks the end of a fractured church and the emergence of the papacy as a chief patron of art, architecture, music and literature. But cultural advancement is accompanied by increasing corruption and ambition, as popes acquire temporal power and political influence. With Rodrigo Borgia on the throne of Peter, the papacy reaches a nadir, scandalising people inside and outside the church and planting the seeds of reform.$

Pope: The Most Powerful Man in History: The Price of Progress

Years 11-12 History, Religious studies

The Renaissance marks the end of a fractured church and the emergence of the papacy as a chief patron of art, architecture, music and literature. But cultural advancement is accompanied by increasing corruption and ambition, as popes acquire temporal power and political influence. With Rodrigo Borgia on the throne of Peter, the papacy reaches a nadir, scandalising people inside and outside the church and planting the seeds of reform.

This documentary utilises CSI archaeology to sift through concrete evidence and remains - reconstructing pirate life on land and at sea. Some of the 2000 artefacts found on Blackbeard's original ship come under investigation, as well as the remains of the village where he lived. High-tech ballistics and CGI fight simulation show the tactics and realities of sea battle. What is reputedly Blackbeard's actual skull is used for CAD facial reconstruction. This evolves into a complete reconstruction of the terrifying warrior image he created for himself: his infamous beard, the ribbons with which he twined it together and the fuses tucked into them to which he would set fire as he leapt aboard an enemy ship.

Blackbeard: Real Pirate of the Caribbean

Years 9-10, 11-12 History

This documentary utilises CSI archaeology to sift through concrete evidence and remains - reconstructing pirate life on land and at sea. Some of the 2000 artefacts found on Blackbeard's original ship come under investigation, as well as the remains of the village where he lived. High-tech ballistics and CGI fight simulation show the tactics and realities of sea battle. What is reputedly Blackbeard's actual skull is used for CAD facial reconstruction. This evolves into a complete reconstruction of the terrifying warrior image he created for himself: his infamous beard, the ribbons with which he twined it together and the fuses tucked into them to which he would set fire as he leapt aboard an enemy ship.

Simon Schama begins Civilisations with this premise: that it is in art - the play of the creative imagination - that humanity expresses its most essential self: the power to break the tyranny of the humdrum, the grind of everyday.

Civilisations: The Vital Spark

Years 9-10, 11-12 Visual arts, History

Simon Schama begins Civilisations with this premise: that it is in art - the play of the creative imagination - that humanity expresses its most essential self: the power to break the tyranny of the humdrum, the grind of everyday.

Teaching resources for the Australian Curriculum

help@enhancetv.com.au

Screenrights

Loading...