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    Using a 1930 Teletype as a Linux Terminal

    CuriousMarc

    4 HN recommenders · recommended in 8 months, 2020–2025

    YouTube

    16:33 · 1.6M views · Apr 13, 2020

    CuriousMarc connects a restored 1930 Model 15 Teletype to a Linux machine and uses it as a terminal, after commenters requested it. The video shows the challenges of linking a 5-bit mechanical device to a modern OS.

    HN commenters love it as a vivid demonstration of terminal history, explaining why tools like ed and the tty echo model work the way they do.

    Computing History & CultureDemoscene & retrocomputingHistory of computingLinux & open-source ecosystems
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    10 comments from Hacker News

    1. @NateEagJul 2020· in “How Did Vim Become So Popular?”

      Perhaps my favorite video on YouTube is this glorious footage of someone hooking a 1930s teletype up to a computer running Linux: this video Watching it for the first time is what finally made ed click for me. And yes, I was disappointed that the author clearly didn't understand why ed has the UI it does. It's about the teletype, not the computational cost of having a WYSIWIG UI.

      Strongly recommendsView on HN
    2. @NateEagOct 2020· in “Using a Piece of Paper as a Display Terminal – Ed vs. Vim”

      I've linked this before, but this video of hooking a 1930s teletype up to a Linux computer is what made ed click for me. this video It's one of the best things on the Internet, IMO.

      Strongly recommendsView on HN
    3. @WaffleIronMakerJul 2022· in “Ask HN: YouTube Channels for the Intellectually Curious”

      I can second CuriousMarc and Ben Eater for anyone interested in computer engineering. CuriousMarc has an amazing series on the Apollo Guidance Computer, as well as great one-off videos like running a linux terminal on a teletype ( this video ). Ben Eater does amazing videos on low level electronics, and has a great series on understanding how a computer really works.

      RecommendsView on HN
    4. @sbukApr 2020· in “Ask HN: What are some great posts or articles about history of computing?”

      Saw this on YouTube last night; this video A facinating video that is part of a series going into the restoration of a 1930 Model 15 Teletype. In this video, they use it as a terminal for Linux.

      RecommendsView on HN
    5. @emdashcommaFeb 2021· in “The VT-69 portable data terminal”

      If you haven't seen it before, you might enjoy this: this video (Using a 1930 Teletype as a Linux Terminal).

      RecommendsView on HN