The computer behind the memo?

Scientists from the RAND Corporation have created this model to illustrate how a "home computer" could look like in the year 2004. However the needed technology will not be economically feasible for the average home. Also the scientists readily admit that the computer will require not yet invented technology to actually work, but 50 years from now scientific progress is expected to solve these problems. With teletype interface and the Fortran language, the computer will be easy to use...

Could this be the kind of computer used to write that recent, infamous memo regarding George Bush's National Guard duty?

Sorry CBS, no proof here. Why? Check out the maneuvering mechanism - that's a US Navy-issued submarine steering wheel.

Or maybe the National Guard memo was written on this personal computer (with Windows 59):


[Via quonsar at MetaFilter]

Let the truth be revealed: The "RAND home computer" image is from a FARK.com contest, submitted by Smilin Jay Andrews of Olympia, WA. He got my vote! Check out the other submissions on the FARK thread. You'll see even wilder versions.

Read this excellent overview of the real history of the computer.