Cards Quote by Kurt Vonnegut
“When I worked with General Electric, again this was soon after the Second World War, you know, I was keeping up with new developments and they showed me a milling machine and this thing worked by punch cards - that's where computers were at that time, and everybody was sort of sheepish about how well this thing worked because in those days machinists were treated as though they were great musicians because they were virtuosos on these machines.”
About This Quote
Source Memoir: Working at General Electric, post‑World War II, 1950s
He recounts early computing as punch‑card machines, noting the reverence for machinists as virtuosos.
In simple terms: Early computers were manual, and operators were highly respected craftsmen.
Key Takeaway
Value skill and craftsmanship in emerging technologies.
Themes
technology history
workplace culture
skill appreciation
innovation
Mood
nostalgic
informative
Type
historical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- industrial training
- tech museums
- historical retrospectives
Key Concepts
craftsmanship
automation
technological transition
Questions to Reflect On
- How have roles in tech changed since then?
- What skills are now prized in tech?
A Different Perspective
The anecdote romanticizes past tech, ignoring modern collaborative development.
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