Pioneers: Pamela Hardt-English

Summary

In this episode of 'Tools and Craft', host Devin Zugel interviews Pamela Hart English, a pioneer in personal network computing. In the early 1970s, Pamela was instrumental in establishing Resource One, a people's computing center in San Francisco. The center, set amidst the counterculture era, aimed to democratize access to computing resources for groups like social workers and hippies. They operated a mainframe computer, anticipating the internet's rise. The discussion delves into Pamela's motivations, the commune's collaborative culture, and the innovative spirit that led to Resource One's creation. It highlights the challenges and triumphs of this grassroots tech movement that sought to use technology for social good, well before personal computing became mainstream.

Takeaways

• 👩‍💻 Pamela Hart English was a pioneer in making computing accessible to the public through Resource One, a people's computing center in San Francisco during the early 1970s.
• 💼 In the 1950s and 1960s, women were typically expected to be housewives, but Pamela chose computer science as a career to be self-sufficient and contribute positively to society.
• 🌱 Resource One was born out of a desire to use technology for the betterment of people's lives, particularly during a time of social unrest and the Vietnam War.
• 🤝 Pamela, along with Chris Macy and Chris Newstrup, envisioned a computing center that would share resources and information, similar to modern search engines like Google.
• 🏭 The center was located in an abandoned candy factory, which they transformed into a communal and technological hub, reflecting the DIY spirit of the era.
• 🛠️ The Resource One community was diverse, including misfits and individuals with various skills, all working together by consensus to build and maintain the center.
• 💡 The idea of a shared network to connect people to the services they needed was ahead of its time, similar to the concept of the internet that emerged decades later.
• 🚀 Pamela's vision for technology extended beyond Resource One, as she also considered the potential of satellites for communication in post-war Vietnam.
• 🔗 After leaving Resource One, Pamela continued to pursue technology for social good, contributing to projects like Community Memory, which evolved from the foundation laid by Resource One.
• 🛑 The limitations of the technology at the time, such as the use of teletype terminals and the lack of interactivity, hindered the full realization of Pamela's vision for a connected community.
• 🚀 The script highlights the broader impact of Resource One, showing how the project inspired and prepared its members for future endeavors in technology and social change.

Q & A

Why did Pamela Hart English choose to study computer science in the 1950s and 1960s?

Pamela Hart English chose to study computer science because it was a field that was just starting and where women were welcome. She was good at math and saw it as a good opportunity for herself, as an alternative to the traditional role of women as housewives at that time.

What was the context that led to the creation of Resource One?

The context for creating Resource One was the social and political climate of the time, including the Vietnam War and the desire to use technology for the benefit of people rather than for harmful purposes. Pamela and her colleagues wanted to create something useful to improve lives, not for destructive ends.

What was the original vision for Resource One and how did it relate to the counterculture of the time?

The original vision for Resource One was to create a computing center that could share resources and information, similar to modern search engines like Google. It was at the epicenter of the counterculture, aiming to make computers accessible to groups who didn't traditionally see themselves as computer users, such as social workers and hippies.

How did Pamela Hart English and her team approach the idea of having a mainframe computer in a commune?

Pamela Hart English and her team approached the idea by wanting to create a shared network where people could easily access the services they needed. They envisioned a system where individuals could directly connect to resources and services, which was a departure from the top-down approach of the time.

What was the significance of the SDS-940 mainframe computer in the context of Resource One?

The SDS-940 was significant because it was a powerful mainframe computer that was decommissioned and donated to Resource One. It was a central piece of technology that allowed the commune to establish a shared computing resource, which was a part of their vision for community access to technology.

How did the environment of the abandoned candy factory contribute to the culture of Project One and Resource One?

The environment of the abandoned candy factory contributed to the culture by providing a blank canvas where the community could build and shape their own spaces. It fostered a sense of communal effort and creativity, as everyone had to work together to build walls, install air conditioning, and create a dust-free environment for the computer.

What was the decision-making process like within the commune and Resource One?

The decision-making process within the commune and Resource One was done by consensus, which meant that all members had a say in the decisions. This led to very long meetings but also ensured that everyone's voice was heard and that decisions were made collectively.

How did the commune and Resource One manage to attract the right people with the necessary skills?

The commune and Resource One attracted the right people through word of mouth and the shared vision of creating a community-centered technology project. People with various skills, from programming to cleaning, were drawn to the project because they believed in its mission and wanted to contribute.

What were some of the challenges faced by Resource One in terms of technology limitations?

Some of the challenges faced by Resource One included the limitations of the teletype terminals, which were not as interactive as desired. The technology at the time did not allow for the ease of access and updating of information that would be common in later years with the advent of the internet and more advanced computing.

How did Pamela Hart English's experience with Resource One influence her future career path?

Pamela Hart English's experience with Resource One gave her the confidence to pursue a career that combined her interests in technology and helping people. After leaving Resource One, she went on to get a double master's in engineering and food science, which allowed her to work globally on solving problems related to food production and technology.

What was the role of Community Memory in the evolution of Resource One?

Community Memory was a project that built upon the foundation created by Resource One. It involved creating a resource directory that people could subscribe to and update easily using the computer. This project continued the mission of making technology accessible and useful for community members.