mhoye2d ago
A picture of Margaret Hamilton, programmer for the Apollo space program, standing next to not one single microsoft error message or bluetooth problem.
Show threadMrAlanCooper2d ago

@mhoye

In 2017 Margaret Hamilton was inducted into the Computer History Museum's Hall of Fellows. On that occasion I was privileged to accompany her on a private, docent-guided tour of the Museum's public display.

She looked about the same as she does in these pictures from the 1960s, albeit a little grayer; a bright, diminutive grandma.

But she was very humble and human. At one point we rounded a corner into the Apollo section. Prominently in the front of the exhibit was a reproduction of your left-hand photo. Upon seeing it, Margaret stopped and exclaimed, "Oh my gosh! Is that me?"

Show threadDen of Earth1d ago
@mralancooper @mhoye
Might one ask: were you the docent?
Show threadMrAlanCooper1d ago
@DenOfEarth @mhoye
Thanks for asking. No. I was also inducted into the Hall of Fellows that evening.
Show threadDen of Earth8h ago

@mralancooper @mhoye
I incline myself in un-ironic reverence. I too am from the era of tractor feeds, paper terminals and (punch-)card readers, but I was more an assembler of things, whereas you are a maker of things. Respect.

Hey the banner photo on your profile, is that a railroad control panel? Heavy rail or scale model?

For what it's worth, I saw this recently: a behind-the-scenes visit of a Mini-World with their own train controls. Enjoy?
https://youtu.be/0XX2K0YNnDQ

France's Largest Indoor Miniature World (& How They Are Helping To Build London's)

YouTube
Show threadMrAlanCooper

@DenOfEarth RE: Lyon's giant model railroad.

That is something you find in countries that:

A) respect passenger trains.
2) own passenger-carrying railroads.

The USA foolishly believes only in private railroads and doesn't believe in passenger trains at all.

10:59pmWeb
Show threadDen of Earth6h ago

@mralancooper
Canada is only slightly ahead of the game in the government's current efforts to plan a high-speed rail link between some of the larger cities, though naturally the opposition is already calling for its demise.

The current train situation is difficult, as the rails are owned by freight companies, and the passenger trains must yield to them, often being delayed for hours.

I can only hope the above will somehow dodge all the slings and arrows, and come to pass.

Show threadDen of Earth6h ago

@mralancooper
You are correct in your observation of miniatures and train-loving countries, as the best of both can be found in the Netherlands.

The national train company, NS, not only has vast bicycle parking, but you can also use your train card to rent a bicycle from the company's own fleet to complete your journey.

And in the Hague there is Madurodam, a wonderful miniature world with quite a spread of Dutch houses, trains, working airport (with taxiing aircraft), canals, bridges, etc.

Show threadMrAlanCooper4h ago
@DenOfEarth Taras Grescoe is a good chronicler of high speed rail in Canada (and elsewhere).
Show threadDen of Earth4h ago
@mralancooper
Noted, thanks!