STRATEGIC AIR COMMAND COMPUTER CONTROL SYSTEM 29364

About

The Strategic Air Command, a WWII agency dedicated to organizing the U.S. nuclear defense systems, released this video around 1960 in order to inform the American Congress about a new communications system that cut down on reaction time to potential threats. The documentary describes the development and utility of the 465L computer system and why the effort is necessary for the Cold War effort.

The 465L was one of the largest, most advanced computer systems developed during the time period, and is a landmark of both technological development and US military history.

0:26 discusses the purpose of SAC and shows several clips of historic planes and missiles, including the Thor and Atlas IRBMs, and the B-52 and B-47 bombers on strategic alert.

1:53 introduces the 465L Command System (SACCS), and several models and animated visuals explaining how the systems work

3:20 describes the process of creating the 465L system. ITT, or International Telephone and Telegram, was a US company that created specialty equipment for aerospace, communications, transportation and other markets, and the main developer of the 465L Command System.

4:30 describes the timeline of setup for the system: FOCI to IOC to COC phases.

5:07 describes the capabilities of SACCS and the ways in which the system can effectively communicate information. Several models of the computer are shown and schematics showing the logistical setups of the machines are provided.

5:40 introduces the first of three subsystems of the network: data transmission. Visuals are limited to animated schematics.

8:15 introduces the second subsystem: data processing. 9:15 contains an interesting model created with string and labels.

10:04 introduces the third subsystem: data presentation. The visuals show the actual display room and examples of the maps and numerical outputs, including images of missile launch summaries at 11:05.

12:30 shows workers building launch sites and organizing missile launches, as well as some of the technologies SAC was in charge of developing.

15:15 discusses the role of control personnel in the process, noting deviations of and transmitting orders based on the information from the system. 16:40 explains some of the symbols that appear on maps released by the SAC.

Human-made No record of this work says a model made it. What this means.

Archive

Internet Archive, in Ephemeral films

Licence or status

The Internet Archive states none for this item.

Language

English

Who can watch

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