One of the great achievements of the film 2001, A Space Odyssey is the computer HAL. Though we can see as we approach that date that thereÆs the usual mixture of over-optimism (in HALÆs easy conversational skills) and misguided extrapolation in assuming the mainframe would be the model for the computers of the future, HAL is quite a character. Much has been made of the way the initials HAL can be made from IBM by moving each letter one back in the alphabet. Clarke denies this stoutly. In 3001 he says that he has been embarrassed for many years by this totally unfounded "computer-age myth". In fact it seems that IBM is quite proud of the association, so Clarke has abandoned efforts to put the record straight. It probably was a coincidence. But then, itÆs likely that even back in the 1960s Clarke and Kubrick had heard of IBM. ItÆs amazing what the unconscious mind can come up withà | |
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