The Information Revolution Episode is a short film discussing the impact—good and bad—that advances in technology are having on society. The film opens with Texas Instruments micro tech scientist Glen Penniston, who discusses microcomputers. Microcomputers can be used to run facilities, calculate or store data, enhance communications, diagnose diseases, and more. Powered by microcomputers, satellites allow enhanced communication through telecommunications and television. The “Information Revolution” is changing the way people think and live. In 1962, the first global communications satellite, Telstar (01:51), is built and launched into space. Satellites enable the broadcasting of news events throughout the world, such as the first live televised event—President Kennedy’s visit to West Berlin (02:12). Tracking violent storms is also now possible with the use of satellites. Computers continue to shrink in size and cost, allowing all types of sectors to benefit from the technology. Law enforcement, with computer-based systems to identify fingerprints, and the ability to communicate between state troopers and federal law authorities, can provide improved safety for communities. Computers are a key piece in military development (04:08), such as the Automatic Digital Network. Comstar satellites (04:28) circle the earth and relay messages and signals to stations, drastically expanding what commercial and cable television can offer consumers, including coverage of the 1980 Winter Olympics at Lake Placid, NY (05:10). Glen Penniston then explains microprocessors (06:13) and the progress of the development of the “Information Revolution” in a number of industries, including air traffic control and medicine. In short, the “Information Revolution,” powered by microcomputers and processors, is changing what people do and how they do it.

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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com