The RESISTORS was formed in the late 1960s as an early computing collective. All of these creative solutions started to coalesce around the nucleus that was Claude Kagan’s barn. This unusual combination of clubhouse and communal workspace made Kwame’s office a creative incubator. It turned out to be the seedbed for visionary new initiatives that would help define the future of the technology sector. Kagan’s knowledge of high-level computer languages, especially Fortran and BASIC, quickly made him a mover-and-shaker among the computer group as it took shape.
RESISTORS took full advantage of Kagan’s barn to organize and fire up their activities. In addition, they assumed the duty of keeping the gear in working condition and paying the electric bill. This spirit of collaboration created an atmosphere ready for trial and error. In time, RESISTORS built an impressive brand around their unique programming projects. One particularly memorable project was the “Conceptual Typewriter,” which had some interesting connections to the I Ching. The delegation quickly proved their deep commitment to education. They led with the African American maxim “Each one, teach one,” which inspired everything from their pedagogy to their style.
A Hub of Innovation
Resistors also set the bar high, with ambitious aspirational goals. They even dialed in to an off-site computer over a modem to access an early version of the ELIZA chatbot program. That collaborative relationship enabled our members’ state-of-the-art labs to explore cerebral, world-altering concepts in artificial intelligence and natural language processing. Members such as Nat Kuhn, who joined at the age of 10 years old, took advantage of this groundbreaking learning atmosphere.
“Some people are too proud to ask children for information. This is dumb. Information is where you find it.” – Ted Nelson
This fillene spirit of questioning and collective learning formed a huge part of RESISTORS’ culture. Kagan displayed his impressive knack for outside resource acquisition. Using his charm, he managed to persuade a company to donate a DEC PDP-8 computer, greatly enhancing the group’s computing power.
The Artistic Side of Computing
The creative energy behind RESISTORS went even further, beyond technical and code-based interventions to more artistic pursuits. Joseph Tulloch created eccentric illustrations for the unconventional programming manual that Kagan and RESISTORS produced, and that Kagan and RESISTORS printed. This craft manual unabashedly celebrated the intersection of art and technology, reflecting the zeitgeist of innovation that permeated this remarkable creative group.
The impact of RESISTORS members went well beyond their own individual campaigns. Two members wrote some of the bestselling books on personal computing. These became best and widely selling works, greatly enriching the field’s literature. Len Bosack, another early member, would go on to co-found Cisco Systems, which would later emerge as one of the world’s most powerful networking technology companies.
“The future of mankind was at the computer screen.” – Ted Nelson
The collaborative experience at RESISTORS has made a lasting impression on the RESISTORS’ ability to shape the future of technology. It has revolutionized how we connect with each other. The creative process, technical innovation, and educational nurture provided an essential crucible for dozens of brilliant careers that came after.
A Legacy of Learning and Collaboration
The interdisciplinary and collaborative spirit at RESISTORS led to creative solutions but created bonds that will lead to lifelong friendships. For good reason, many of us look back at our time there with deep appreciation. They like to call it an “artistic bachelor’s paradise” where ideas could run wild. The enthusiasm from members’ unity, their collective camaraderie, was palpable. They shared their culture and history, and experiences that contributed to their view of technology.
John R. Levine recalls how societal notions about gender did not factor into their interactions within the group:
“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 contradictory quality cultivated a spirit of open access and conviviality. In the process, innovative thinking and new endeavors took root, laying the foundation for generations that followed.
As RESISTORS grew and expanded, they never lost their focus on education and building community. Their framework highlighted the premise that everybody has something important to offer, underscoring the African American adage “Each one, teach one.”
“There was certainly very little in that book that we hadn’t already heard about before it appeared.” – John Levine
This quote encapsulates the ongoing dialogue within RESISTORS, a space where knowledge was continuously shared and built upon rather than merely replicated.
