Philomena Cunk on the history of computing

February 25, 2015 • 3:30 pm

I’m afraid there are only three episodes left of Philomena’s “Moments of Wonder” series, which will take us up to Friday. Today she enlightens us about the history of computing with the help of Computer Man Dr. Sean Holden of Cambridge University.

The pre-computer version of Pac Man is hilarious, but I am, as always, mesmerized by Philomena’s Boltonian accent.

Here’s my favorite sentence (rendered phonetically): “Unlike today’s computers, this early computer is made of transistors and pipes. And as you can see, it’s absolutely youje. And the mowse has gone missing, bot, it moost have been the size of a caw.”

Tomorrow Philomena will ponder the mysteries of Philosophy with the aid of Philosophy Lady.

54 thoughts on “Philomena Cunk on the history of computing”

  1. Who’s with me for a pilgrimage to see the Shroud of Turing?

    …and, of course, the big question there is whether or not it’s complete….

    b&

          5. 😉

            aww Freddie, you remind me of my lovely feline Freddie who died on Dec 27. not named after Mercury.

          7. Yes, like the tiny bit of furball barf I found in the bottom of my closet and the black hair on the backs of couches and armchairs:-(

    2. Wikipedia:
      Shroud usually refers to an item, such as a cloth, that covers or protects some other object.

      So the big question is “What did the Turing shroud shroud?”

      I never heard that the Turing shroud shrouded Turing.

          1. That’s not the important question. We have machines that can chuck wood these days, so the wood-chucking capabilities of woodchucks is of at most historical interest.

            Rather, woodchucks in captivity are much more likely to be some sort of a pet, in which the truly important question becomes…

            How much yuck would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck would upchuck?

            Are a couple paper towels enough for the cleanup, or are we talking bucket and mop — or maybe even professional steam cleaning?

            b&

    3. I heard the Shroud of Turing was fake, because radio dating found it to be BBC Radio 2, which is music, and the Turing shroud should at least be Radio 3 or 4.

    4. You mean “Turing Shroud”.
      You might think there’s no difference, but that’s only because you haven’t seen the philosophy video yet.

    1. oh, good boy, you got it right! Turing shroud. That’s what she said. She would have never have made the mistake of saying “Shroud of Turing”.

  8. Oh, no, the “Turing Shroud,” she didn’t say that, did she? But “encephelo-wah?” was hilarious! As the Brits say–Good Show!

    1. Oh, yes, another one who actually listens. She did say “Turing shroud”. And it’s “oh, yes” not “oh, no”.

      1. Oh, yes, Philomena Cunk is very, very funny. Thanks, Jerry, for bringing her onto your blog!

  10. Oh. At the end of the post, you announce philosophy lady will be next. But she’s already entertained us today. Maybe, just a typo?

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