Editing MIT Lincoln Laboratory (section)

===SAGE===
The [[Semi-Automatic Ground Environment]] (SAGE) Air Defense System is the beginning of MIT Lincoln Laboratory's history of developing innovative technology.<ref>T. P. Hughes, ''Rescuing Prometheus: Four Monumental Projects That Changed the Modern World'', New York: Pantheon Books, 1998, Chapter&nbsp;2, pp.&nbsp;15–67.</ref> The system was conceived to meet the challenge of providing air defense to the continental United States. SAGE was designed to collect, analyze, and finally relay data from a multitude of [[radar]]s, all quickly enough that defense responses could be initiated, if needed. The key to this system was a [[computer]] that could perform reliably in real time.

MIT's [[Whirlwind I|Whirlwind]] computer, built in the 1940s, looked to be a possible candidate for the system. However, the Whirlwind was not reliable or fast enough for the processing needed for analyzing data coming in from dozens of, perhaps even 100, radars. [[Jay Wright Forrester]], an MIT professor instrumental in the development of the Whirlwind, found the breakthrough to enable the computer to achieve outstanding reliability and doubled speed&nbsp;— the [[magnetic-core memory]]. The magnetic-core memory revolutionized computing. Computers became machines that were not just large and fast calculators; their uses for varying applications grew. Industry followed this development closely, adopting the magnetic-core memory that expanded the capabilities of computers.

The [[TX-0]] computer, in essence, a transistorized version of Whirlwind, was built in 1955 and made operational in 1956. It was smaller and slightly faster than Whirlwind.

Whirlwind II was not completed, but the [[AN/FSQ-7 Combat Direction Central]], based on elements of its design, became the [[command and control]] system for the SAGE air defense network<ref name=IYD>{{cite AV media |title=In Your Defense |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06drBN8nlWg  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/06drBN8nlWg |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|format=digitized movie |publisher=Western Electric |access-date=2012-04-03 |quote=The [[System Development Corporation]]&nbsp;... in the design of massive computer programs … Burroughs…electronic equipment&nbsp;... Western Electric&nbsp;... assist the Air Force in coordinating and managing the entire effort&nbsp;... and design of buildings.&nbsp;... SAGE project office&nbsp;... Air Material Command |time=5:15}}{{cbignore}}. Note: The film identifies "Direction Center" versus "Data Center".</ref><ref name="Dyson1997">{{cite book |author=Dyson, George |date=April 1997 |title=Darwin Among the Machines: The Evolution of Global Intelligence |page=[https://archive.org/details/darwinamongmachi00dyso/page/179 179] |edition=1st |publisher=Basic Books |isbn=0-7382-0030-1 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/darwinamongmachi00dyso/page/179}}</ref> and Lincoln Laboratory Division&nbsp;6 participated in this development.<ref name=LL1955>{{Cite report |author=((Division 6 Staff))<!--"(())" to suppress "numeric names" warning--> |title=Biweekly Report for 27 May 1955 |url=http://dome.mit.edu/bitstream/handle/1721.3/45987/MC665_r14_6M-3674.pdf?sequence=1 |format=Memorandum |publisher=MIT Lincoln Laboratory |number=6M–3674}}</ref>

Lincoln Laboratory quickly established a reputation for pioneering advanced electronics in air defense systems. Many of the technical developments that later evolved into improved systems for the airborne detection and tracking of aircraft and ground vehicles have formed the basis for current research.