TX-2 explained

The MIT Lincoln Laboratory TX-2 computer was the successor to the Lincoln TX-0 and was known for its role in advancing both artificial intelligence and human–computer interaction. Wesley A. Clark was the chief architect of the TX-2.^[1]

Specifications

The TX-2 was a transistor-based computer using the then-huge amount of 64K 36-bit words of magnetic-core memory. The TX-2 became operational in 1958.^{[2] [3]} Because of its powerful capabilities, Ivan Sutherland's revolutionary Sketchpad program was developed for and ran on the TX-2.^{[4] [5]} One of its key features was the ability to directly interact with the computer through a graphical display.^[6]

The compiler was developed by Lawrence Roberts while he was studying at the MIT Lincoln Laboratory.^[7]

Relationship with DEC

Digital Equipment Corporation was a spin-off of the TX-0 and TX-2 projects. The TX-2 Tape System was a block addressable 1/2" tape developed for the TX-2 by Tom Stockebrand which evolved into LINCtape and DECtape.

Role in creating the Internet

Dr. Leonard Kleinrock developed the mathematical theory of packet networks which he successfully simulated on the TX-2 computer at Lincoln Lab.

External links

• TX-2 documentation at bitsavers.org
• Interview with UCLA's Dr. Leonard Kleinrock

Notes and References

1. Book: Biomedial Computing, Digitizing Life in the United States . Joseph November . The LINC Revolution . 144 . The Johns Hopkins University Press . 2012.
2. Book: Computers and People. 1961. Berkeley Enterprises. 312. en.
3. Book: Boast, Robin. The Machine in the Ghost: Digitality and Its Consequences. 2017-03-15. Reaktion Books. 9781780237879. 131–132. en.
4. Reilly, Edwin D. (2003) Milestones in Computer Science and Information Technology Greenwood Publishing Group pg 261
5. Kalay, Yehuda E. (2004) Architecture's New Media: Principles, Theories, and Methods of Computer-aided Design MIT Press pg 66
6. Naughton, John (1999): A brief history of the future: the origins of the internet, London, p. 71
7. Lawrence . Roberts G. . June 1963 . Machine perception of three dimensional solids . PhD Thesis . 82.