Interview with Albert Cory, author of “Inventing the Future” about the Xerox Star

Welcome to Floppy Days episode 108 for October, 2021.  I am Randy Kindig, your host.

This month is a special episode based on an interview I was able to get with Albert Cory, author of the recently published book, “Inventing the Future”.  This book is a semi-fictional account of what it was like to work at Xerox in the late 70’s and early 80’s, while the company was working on the concept of the “Office of the Future” and the amazing computer known as the Xerox Star.

For me, this interview and book finally pushed me into researching this incredible part of computer history; of which I had a cursory knowledge, but had never gone into any detailed research.  The Xerox Star was ahead of its time and the technology that went into this computer set the stage for our modern computers in many ways.

While Xerox didn’t truly take advantage of all this amazing technology, as the Star was considered a commercial failure, many other companies took the mantle from Xerox and successfully utilized much of its technology.

Albert sits down with me and talks about what it was like to work at Xerox in those days, what prompted him to write the book, and many other topics.

I think you’ll find it interesting.  I know I did!

Before getting into the interview, I do want to talk about some vintage computer shows I was recently able to attend and, of course, some vintage hardware or modern upgrades I was able to acquire.

Finally, while I usually eschew talking about monetary support for this podcast, I do want to mention that I have a way for you to help if you have the  inclination.  I have a page set up at https://www.patreon.com/FloppyDays where you can donate.  Any funds will be used to defray the cost of managing the podcast as well as acquiring new hardware to  talk about.  Thank you so much everyone who has contributed and continues to contribute!

Links:

New Acquisitions

• VCF Midwest - http://www.vcfmw.org 
• ZX80/81/TS1000 ZXpand Super Serial + wireless module - https://www.sellmyretro.com/offer/details/zxpand%2B-super-serial-card-40640 
• ZX80/81/TS1000 ZX-Key: The ZX81 Mechanical Keyboard and Interface Card (Gateron Black Switches) - https://www.sellmyretro.com/offer/details/45028 
• ZX80/81/TS1000 ZX-Key main Web site -  ZX81 Keyboard Adventure 
• Apple IIGS RGB-to-SCART cable - Cocoman - https://cocoman.onlineweb.shop/Apple_IIgs_SCART_Cable/p7004829_21371801.aspx 
• Microsoft BASIC I for Atari - https://atariwiki.org/wiki/Wiki.jsp?page=Microsoft%20Basic%20I 
• Tandy Assembly - http://www.tandyassembly.com 
• MCX32SD for Tandy MC-10 - https://thezippsterzone.com/mc-10-items-for-sale/ 
• REX# for M100/T102 - Steve Adolph - https://bitchin100.com/wiki/index.php?title=Ordering_Information 
• Backpack Drive for M100/T102 - Jeffrey Birt - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3es0NLJmd2c 

Upcoming Shows

• CocoFest November 6-7 Elk Grove Village, IL  https://www.glensideccc.com/cocofest/ 
• Commodore Los Angeles Super Show (CLASS) November 6-7, Burbank, CA, http://www.portcommodore.com/class 
• VCF East April 22-24, 2022: Vintage Computer Festival East , Wall NJ 
• VCF West August 6-7: Vintage Computer Festival West , The Computer History Museum, Mountain View, CA 

Interview Links

• Albert Web site - https://www.albertcory.io/ 
• Bitsavers documents - http://bitsavers.org/pdf/xerox/sdd/ 
• “Inventing the Future” by Albert Cory - https://amzn.to/3EtBOO1 
• “Dealers of Lightning” by Michael Hiltzik - https://amzn.to/3w7xVM0 
• Read the reviews from the participants - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57138737-inventing-the-future