Nick Martel

Now, when we say Don, Bill, and Paul are getting ready to build a computer game together, you're probably picturing a cute little desktop computer, right? Wrong. Because this is 1971. They're using a machine called a teletype. This isn't technically a computer.

Now, when we say Don, Bill, and Paul are getting ready to build a computer game together, you're probably picturing a cute little desktop computer, right? Wrong. Because this is 1971. They're using a machine called a teletype. This isn't technically a computer.

Now, when we say Don, Bill, and Paul are getting ready to build a computer game together, you're probably picturing a cute little desktop computer, right? Wrong. Because this is 1971. They're using a machine called a teletype. This isn't technically a computer.

It's more like a fancy typewriter with a printer attached, but it communicates via phone line with a huge computer mainframe the size of a Manhattan studio apartment. So the computer itself is off in some building somewhere, and the teletype is how you interact with the computer. It's kind of like a prehistoric internet.

It's more like a fancy typewriter with a printer attached, but it communicates via phone line with a huge computer mainframe the size of a Manhattan studio apartment. So the computer itself is off in some building somewhere, and the teletype is how you interact with the computer. It's kind of like a prehistoric internet.

It's more like a fancy typewriter with a printer attached, but it communicates via phone line with a huge computer mainframe the size of a Manhattan studio apartment. So the computer itself is off in some building somewhere, and the teletype is how you interact with the computer. It's kind of like a prehistoric internet.

Yeah, if Mark Twain was Googling something, he would use this teletype machine, Jack. But as old-fashioned as all that sounds, in 1971, this is like using an Apple Vision Pro. This machine is expensive, it's cutting-edge, and it's rare. In the school where Don teaches, there's only one teletype machine.

Yeah, if Mark Twain was Googling something, he would use this teletype machine, Jack. But as old-fashioned as all that sounds, in 1971, this is like using an Apple Vision Pro. This machine is expensive, it's cutting-edge, and it's rare. In the school where Don teaches, there's only one teletype machine.

Yeah, if Mark Twain was Googling something, he would use this teletype machine, Jack. But as old-fashioned as all that sounds, in 1971, this is like using an Apple Vision Pro. This machine is expensive, it's cutting-edge, and it's rare. In the school where Don teaches, there's only one teletype machine.

So the trio used the one at Bill and Paul's school instead, housed in the janitor's closet, barely big enough for the teletype and a chair. But still, they're excited they have access to this huge cutting-edge computer. And what do they do, Jack? Bill handwrites the code, then gives the code to Paul to type into the computer. Don gives input on the history and the gameplay.

So the trio used the one at Bill and Paul's school instead, housed in the janitor's closet, barely big enough for the teletype and a chair. But still, they're excited they have access to this huge cutting-edge computer. And what do they do, Jack? Bill handwrites the code, then gives the code to Paul to type into the computer. Don gives input on the history and the gameplay.

So the trio used the one at Bill and Paul's school instead, housed in the janitor's closet, barely big enough for the teletype and a chair. But still, they're excited they have access to this huge cutting-edge computer. And what do they do, Jack? Bill handwrites the code, then gives the code to Paul to type into the computer. Don gives input on the history and the gameplay.

And together, they start coming up with the rules of the Oregon Trail. And here they are. This game will begin when you load up an imaginary covered wagon with imaginary supplies for your imaginarily scary journey west. We're talking food, oxen, extra clothes, and of course, you gotta bring ammunition. Because partner, you are gonna be hunting your own food.

And together, they start coming up with the rules of the Oregon Trail. And here they are. This game will begin when you load up an imaginary covered wagon with imaginary supplies for your imaginarily scary journey west. We're talking food, oxen, extra clothes, and of course, you gotta bring ammunition. Because partner, you are gonna be hunting your own food.

And together, they start coming up with the rules of the Oregon Trail. And here they are. This game will begin when you load up an imaginary covered wagon with imaginary supplies for your imaginarily scary journey west. We're talking food, oxen, extra clothes, and of course, you gotta bring ammunition. Because partner, you are gonna be hunting your own food.

Oh, and if you're wondering how they hunt game on a teletype with no graphics, Well, you type the word bang into the machine, and the game tells you whether you'll be feasting on venison tonight or not. With the supply squared away, it's your mission to make it from Independence, Missouri to Oregon City, Oregon. You'll answer a series of prompts spit out by the teletyped printer.

Oh, and if you're wondering how they hunt game on a teletype with no graphics, Well, you type the word bang into the machine, and the game tells you whether you'll be feasting on venison tonight or not. With the supply squared away, it's your mission to make it from Independence, Missouri to Oregon City, Oregon. You'll answer a series of prompts spit out by the teletyped printer.

Oh, and if you're wondering how they hunt game on a teletype with no graphics, Well, you type the word bang into the machine, and the game tells you whether you'll be feasting on venison tonight or not. With the supply squared away, it's your mission to make it from Independence, Missouri to Oregon City, Oregon. You'll answer a series of prompts spit out by the teletyped printer.

How fast do you want to travel? How much do you want to spend on oxen? Do you want to eat A, poorly, B, moderately, or C, well? But yeah, this is a teaching game. So it gives tips on what effect each choice will have on your future. So eat too heartily and you're gonna exhaust all your supplies, man. But if you ration too harshly, then your party might starve. And don't forget those chance cards.

How fast do you want to travel? How much do you want to spend on oxen? Do you want to eat A, poorly, B, moderately, or C, well? But yeah, this is a teaching game. So it gives tips on what effect each choice will have on your future. So eat too heartily and you're gonna exhaust all your supplies, man. But if you ration too harshly, then your party might starve. And don't forget those chance cards.