In central Hopewell Township, New Jersey, an eclectic band of creative young RESISTORS were formed. They announced an ambitious agenda for the gathering and picked an unexpected location to host the release. The barn was owned by Claude Kagan, an eccentric electrical engineer with equally ambitious ideas about the future of computing. That was their roundtable’s meeting place for these discussions. Kagan inspired the teens to use technology to explore further. He facilitated their remote access to a DEC PDP-8 machine via teletype and phone lines. This partnership provided an incredible intersection in their lives. It served an important function in computing’s early history.
Kagan graduated with his Master of Science degree from Cornell University in 1950. He then transitioned to a position at Western Electric, AT&T’s manufacturing arm. His disdain for traditional learning methods practiced in local classrooms motivated him to create an alternative space for young minds eager to learn. With fewer than 70 members during their 10-year career, the RESISTORS were all too happy to accept the invitation to dive into computer-land. They took on ambitious projects that fundamentally changed how they saw technology and their place within it.
The RESISTORS are perhaps best known for their unusual collaboration with Ted Nelson, the pioneering computer scientist and author. In the late 1960s, Nelson met the group and shared ideas that would later surface in his influential book, “Computer Lib/Dream Machines.” The teens embraced the technology available to them, including a PDP-8 machine that Kagan secured through a donation from Digital Equipment Corporation.
Claude Kagan’s Vision
Claude Kagan’s barn became the actual home, as well as the incubator, for a burst of creativity and innovation. Inside the barn, a veritable (although slightly rusty) treasure trove of used equipment greeted hungry technologists. These aspiring storytellers packed into the area, eager to discover its secret treasures. What attracted most of the RESISTORS was Kagan’s experimental orientation to learning that privileged real, lived experience over traditional education structures.
From 1958 onward, Kagan lived in Hopewell Township. Mohammed was bent on giving his students a playground where they could safely tinker, discover and create freely. He argued that formal education was a major killer of creativity and innovation. The members of the RESISTORS could personally resonate with this conviction. They cared about real-world application of tech over lecture hall any day.
Though he could have easily been intimidating given his professional pedigree, Kagan was disarming and down-to-earth with the teens. His passion for computing, electrical engineering, and a lively, curious mind inspired so many who came to him as a mentor. For the first time, they were greatly urged to ask questions and follow what intrigued them, without the possibility of being laughed at or failing altogether.
“Some people are too proud to ask children for information. This is dumb. Information is where you find it.” – Ted Nelson
Kagan’s passion for cultivating this truly special and transformative learning space had an immeasurable impact on all of us lucky enough to experience it firsthand. His guidance and resources helped shape a generation of young minds ready to tackle the challenges of an increasingly digital world.
The RESISTORS’ Journey
More than just technical training, the RESISTORS fostered a badass, colorful, creative community. They created lifelong connections and developed critical skills that would serve them in the years to come. From this new way of working, members rediscovered the delights of cocreation, and creativity expressed itself. It was particularly rewarding to work on projects like “Labyrinth” with the great Ted Nelson. This project gave them great, holistic experience and introduced them to some of the most innovative ideas in computing.
One of those founding members was Nat Kuhn, who became a member of the club at the age of only ten years. His experience serves as an example of just how accessible Kagan’s initiative was to young people from all walks of life. The RESISTORS created a space where creativity allowed intuition to mix with inquiry, and inspiration could blossom.
Their labor alongside Nelson opened their eyes to ideas that would go on to transform computing and digital culture as we know it. Nelson’s philosophy focused on democratizing technology, making it easier and more inviting to use. He encouraged the RESISTORS to always consider the broader social and political repercussions that come with new technology.
“The future of mankind was at the computer screen,” – Ted Nelson
Fellows such as John R. Levine share their experience with the RESISTORS. A part of that conversation was about making sure inclusivity is fundamental to the technology we’re developing.
“We were so nerdy that it didn’t occur to us that girls [would] be any different in terms of what they could do.” – John R. Levine
This willingness to be open with each other invited unique viewpoints to the table, which paradoxically led to the deepest discussions and the most creative projects.
Lasting Impact
The RESISTORS changed the fabric of computing in their short-lived, but 10-year long-duration. While they were few in number, their impact was felt well beyond their local community. Their influence served as the precursor to many exciting computing initiatives today which further the hands-on, collaborative approach of learning alongside your peers.
These partnerships between Kagan and the RESISTORS are a great example of mentorship fostering the next generation of creators, influencers, and innovators. Their work inspired many to pursue careers in technology, fostering an enduring legacy that continues to impact aspiring engineers and computer scientists today.
Even though they encountered struggles that are always part of innovating in a more rigid system, the RESISTORS did not falter. They learned not only about technology but about teamwork, resilience, and creativity — skills that would prove invaluable as they transitioned into adulthood and professional life.
“There was certainly very little in that book that we hadn’t already heard about before it appeared,” – John Levine
In subsequent years, members looked back on what they experienced. They knew just how formative their time with Kagan had been to their personal and professional growth.