I am a Massachusetts-based writer who is researching a piece about the Apollo Guidance Computers for the 40th anniversary of the Moon Landings. I am currently looking for people who were involved with building and programming these computers. In particular I am trying to track down any of the textile workers - possibly employed by Raytheon - who helped build the rope core memory for the computers. If you or one of your relatives were involved with this program, or you know of anyone who was, I'd be delighted to hear from you.

Please reply to this message if you can help.

Many thanks

Fiddler

I can't help, but that sounds like a fascinating subject (textile workers -- rope core memory?) and I hope you find what you need and get your article published.

Nick

__________________
--
Nick Theodorakis

Thanks Nick. You can see a picture of the workers here:

http://authors.library.caltech.edu/5.../histintro.htm

They were employed to weave the memory of the landing and guidance computers. Supposedly, NASA used to occasionally take the astronauts to visit the factory to impress on the workers that their work was life critical.

I'm fascinated by the whole story. I'm hoping to find one of the women to record her memories for my piece.

I'll post it here if anything comes of this!

Cheers

Fiddler

Good luck with your search. For anyone interested, here's info on early computer systems for manned spacecraft. Rope memory is discussed on this page.

A good person to ask is Frank O'Brien. Frank helps me in the compilation of the Apollo Flight Journal. He is very knowledgeable about the AGC. His public email addy can be found of the Apollo 15 FJ index page near the bottom:

http://history.nasa.gov/ap15fj/

Moon Machines: The Navigation Computer is a really fascinating in my opinion documentary that is available (probably illegally admittedly) on youtube here.

__________________

Fantastic - thank you for the suggestions guys
F