Then, in 1968, a handful of teens across the country—the very first members of the Troublemakers Club—banded together. Together, they created an unprecedented collective known as the RESISTORS. This cohort, led by proto activist Claude Kagan, were key in ensuring that formative computing experiences were equitable. Through their innovative spirit and collaboration, they explored the nascent world of computers, discovering new programming languages and technologies that would later influence the development of modern computing.
The RESISTORS responded immediately, linking together in support of Claude Kagan. He paved the way not just to computers but resources and tools that young budding geniuses could only fantasize about back then. The four founding members began as a bunch of teenagers “mucking around” with computers. This hobby soon grew into a revolutionary experimentation with technology. In early February 1968, Nat Kuhn arrived at an open house event at the Princeton Junior Museum. Since then, he’s been an enthusiastic member of the RESISTORS troupe. At 15 years old, he was accepted into this trailblazing class.
Kagan’s access to his employer’s DEC PDP-8 machine led to opportunities for the RESISTORS. They did all of this really by remote control, connecting to this computer via teletype over phone lines. This arrangement provided them a robust, creative playground for their exploration and study. They started developing their own programs, programming in TRAC (Text Reckoning And Compiling) language. This outlandish decision allowed them to blaze a trail in the trenches of the nascent world of computer programming.
The Influence of Ted Nelson
The connection between the RESISTORS and computer pioneer Ted Nelson fueled their path into the world of computing. Nelson first ran into the group in the late 60s while incubating his vision of hypertext and interlinked networks for publishing. His vision struck a chord with their countercultural, experimental approach to technology.
Nelson was “big” on helping everyone learn from each other. He once stated, “Some people are too proud to ask children for information. This is dumb. Information is where you find it.” This take featured the can-do spirit of the RESISTORS, who were energized by sharing their skills and new ideas with one another.
As they opened themselves up to Nelson’s concepts, the RESISTORS started to get a sense for what computers could be – beyond just programming. Nelson noted, “The future of mankind was at the computer screen,” highlighting his belief in the transformative power of technology. This vision fueled the young coders, who came to realize that they were trailblazers in a new and unfolding digital world.
A Creative Hub of Innovation
Claude Kagan’s barn, home to creative Headquarters of the RESISTORS. It gave them a home to an incredible collection of old gear to play with. Central to these resources was access to Kagan’s DEC PDP-8 machine, which afforded them the opportunity to develop a richer understanding of computing.
One of the most evocative pieces of their experimentation had to do with connecting to an off-site computer to dial into Joseph Weizenbaum’s ELIZA chatbot program. Experiencing ELIZA created a whole new world of understanding AI. Most importantly, it sparked users’ imaginations and inspired them to think creatively about user interaction.
Member of the RESISTORS, Joseph Tulloch, made their projects real with his wonderfully whacky illustrations. His whimsical artwork, Dr. Seuss-like, brought to life a guide to programming that Kagan and the teens created and published. This guide is more than just a technical manual. Even more than that, though, it provides a glimpse into their youthful creativity and enthusiasm for computing.
Legacy and Impact
The power of the RESISTORS goes beyond their disruptive activity. Members like John R. Levine have been bestselling computing authors. One of those best-selling titles, “The Internet for Dummies,” went on to sell millions of copies! Levine reflects on their early days with nostalgia and humor, stating, “We were so nerdy that it didn’t occur to us that girls [would] be any different in terms of what they could do.”
While pursuing their own futures in tech, hundreds of these ambitious members came to understand that the act of teaching others and spreading knowledge was essential to everyone’s growth. A common sentiment among them was captured by an uncredited motto: “Each one, teach one.” This principle emerged as a grounding north star for the caucus.