PICTURE THIS—In late 1960s Princeton, New Jersey, an unusual new species was arising, the RESISTOR. This collective of teenage computer enthusiasts emerged from a desire for community and creativity in the burgeoning world of computing. RESISTORS Engineer Claude Kagan spearheaded the transformation of a once dilapidated barn into an art and entrepreneurship incubator. From there, they dived into the amazing intersection of technology and the arts. Their contributions will help create the ideal future that they want. They have already started to make a lasting impact on the computing field.
The genesis of the RESISTORS can be traced back to late 1966 when Chuck Ehrlich and a few like-minded peers sought a clubhouse to gather and collaborate. They were labeled as such “brainy social outcasts,” fueled by their love for all things computer. Kagan rolled out the welcome mat to his barn, creating the collaborative, creative environment where these young visionaries could go wild with their ideas. This personal informal environment grew into a haven of craft, collaboration, and fellowship.
As the cohort began to grow, they dove head first into ownership over their turf, tools and technology. They even paid for electric to power it all. This self-sufficiency was the hallmark of their operation. By 1969, they were bringing in computer pioneer Ted Nelson—whose influence would further fuel their activities.
Technological Innovations and Collaborations
The RESISTORS were particularly renowned for their ambitious projects, most famously the development of “Labyrinth,” a first-of-its-kind hypertext system that Nelson briefly collaborated with the programmer Ned Woodman, who co-created this important, pioneering work with Nelson. They executed it on a DEC PDP-8 computer, demonstrating the magic of hypertext years before the term was even widely used.
“Some people are too proud to ask children for information. This is dumb. Information is where you find it.” – Ted Nelson
Using teletype machines, the RESISTORS connected to the PDP-8 via telephone lines and wrote programs in TRAC (Text Reckoning And Compiling). This early, hands-on approach to programming paved the way for many major breakthroughs in the field of computer science. Their creativity didn’t stop at code though, they explored the world of interactive art and experience.
Then in February 1968, after being introduced to the group by his wife, Nat recorded with the RESISTORS following an open house reception held at the Montclair Junior Museum. As we all know, this meeting opened up everyone’s minds to what computing and interactive art could be. The RESISTORS developed a strong enough name and presence that began to create opportunities. They even showed up in a cutting-edge ‘art’ exhibition orchestrated by Jack Burnham, showcasing their marvelous talent at melding technology with artistry.
Artistic Ventures and Community Impact
The traveling art show wasn’t just cool, it was revolutionary when it came to how people interacted with computers. Attendees used light pens to manipulate images on screens, illustrating how technology could be an integral part of artistic expression. The RESISTORS collaborated with conceptual artist Agnes Denes to produce “Trigonal Ballet.” Their coding engine skills were put on full display by this animation colored with dozens of LED light programming.
Denes collaborated with the group to put triangles in motion on-screen, revealing the creative potential of the intersection of art and technology. Otherwise, another outstanding project was “Conceptual Typewriter,” created in collaboration with Carl Fernbach-Flarsheim. This piece even used the I Ching for computer programming, exhibiting the experimental charm of their work.
“The future of mankind was at the computer screen.” – Ted Nelson
Despite the dreary weather or perhaps because of it, the spirit of experimentation was evident among the RESISTORS. They embraced the ethos that computers “could be whatever it was programmed to be,” allowing them to explore uncharted territories in both art and technology.
Lasting Influence and Personal Growth
The influence of the RESISTORS doesn’t stop with their own projects. Byron and Howard became major authors of influence in the computing world. Chuck Ehrlich was one such man (amongst other), writing sensational books that flew off the shelves, selling millions of copies nationwide. Their experiences and interactions within the RESISTORS informed their general conception of technology as well as its cultural importance.
John R. Levine reflected on this formative period, noting that “We were so nerdy that it didn’t occur to us that girls [would] be any different in terms of what they could do.” This thinking is reflective of the innocence of our young, naive innovators. Their unabashed exuberance for their craft was both inspiring and infectious, unencumbered by a world’s prejudices.
Yet for all their DIY spirit, the RESISTORS defied the aspirations of punks everywhere by upending art and tech as we knew them. They flourished in an environment that fostered experimentation. This creative freedom cultivated revolutionary concepts that excited both the scientific and artistic world.