The Dead Media Notebook

by Bruce Sterling

  THE ILLIAC PAPER TAPE FORMAT

  A computer programmer, looking at Baudot, is struck by how the letters and numbers are not ordered by their binary numeric representation.

  The engineers designing Illiac solved this problem by reassigning the digits, so they had a direct numeric representation on paper tape. This had several effects. First, the letters were scattered from hell to breakfast.

  Second, the mechanical teletywriter keyboard layout appeared, for all practical purposes, to be completely random. It was easy to rename the keycaps, but difficult to redesign the teletypewriter mechanism itself.

  Furthermore, the hexadecimal digits representing the values 10 through 15 were not the modern A through F but “K, S, N, J, F, L.”

  The five-channel paper tape has 2 symbol holes, a sprocket hole, and three symbol holes. Associated with each sprocket hole, reading across the width of the tape, is a 5 digit binary number. Three digital positions are to the right of the sprocket hole, and two are to the left. The weight assigned to each position is indicated by the numbers at the head of the table.

  The fifth, leftmost, digital position is regarded separately, and does not truly have a weight of 16, as the fifth binary position ordinarily would have.

  The fifth- hole position is used to identify some letters of the alphabet, special symbols, and certain printing operations such as “carriage return and line feed.”

  The printed digits are directly associated with their binary representation. This greatly simplified the paper tape reader program and Illiac programming. This simplicity was essential for a computer with only 1024 words of memory. The complete paper-tape code is given in Appendix 6 of Fosdick’s book (page 272).

  The motivation for the strange Illiac format becomes understandable when you combine the constraints of the paper tape format, the standard Baudot encoding, and the engineer’s need to have direct correspondence between the digits 0 through 9.

  For example, the ‘R’ is the letter- shift character for digit 4 in both encodings, even though they have different binary encodings.

  OTHER USES

  Baudot, or RTTY, has widely used by amateur radio operators. Surplus Baudot code teleprinters with built-in modems were also distributed to hearing-impared individuals who could then communicate independently. See the Disability Resources Page for more information on TTY communication. United States telephone corporations are still required by law to provide TTY communication services.

  Source: Encyclopedia Britannica, 11th Edition, volume 26, page 521; A Guide to Illiac Programming by L. D. Fosdick, Digital Computer Laboratory, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, 1961; personal experience

  Military Pigeoneers of World War Two: Qualifications for Pigeoneers, Pigeon Lofts; Loft Routines; Pigeon Banding Codes, Loft Equipment Pigeoneer Supplies, Message Holders, Pigeons by Parachute

  From Bruce Sterling

  [Bruce Sterling remarks: I have come into lucky possession of a vintage 82-page training manual for United States military pigeoneers. This section, excerpted from this manual, will reveal the inner workings of military pigeonry in unprecedented technical detail.]

  SECTION 1. GENERAL

  1. Purpose

  This manual provides instruction for proper breeding, care, and training of the homing pigeon, and for the selection and training of enlisted pigeoneers. With certain modifications this information can be used by all pigeon units serving field forces, both in theaters of operations and in the zone of the interior.

  32. Qualifications for Pigeoneers

  a. GENERAL. Minimum specifications required for a pigeoneer are:

  (1) Skill. That required for a basic private, plus the ability to care for, feed properly, catch, and hold pigeons; to attach messages; and to train birds for messenger service.

  (2) Knowledge. That required for a basic private, plus a thorough knowledge of capabilities, limitations, and habits of homing pigeons.

  (3) Personal traits. A pigeoneer who is boisterous and of a turbulent nature tends to frighten and upset pigeons and thus reduce their effectiveness. The successful pigeoneer should possess;

  (a) Dependability. To perform all his duties regularly and promptly.

  (b) Kindness. To obtain confidence of the pigeons.

  (c) Patience. To spend much time and repeated effort required for training pigeons.

  (d) Neatness. To maintain a sanitary and attractive loft for the pigeons.

  (e) Firmness. To enforce control over pigeons.

  (f) Power of accurate observation. To note and learn characteristics of individual pigeons in the loft by observing details readily and accurately.

  b. BASIC TRAINING. Only qualified basic privates are selected for pigeoneer training. Skill and knowledge to be attained in this course may be based on this manual.”

  SECTION III

  CARE

  17. Loft

  Pigeons are housed in lofts which may be buildings or vehicles designed and equipped for that purpose. The loft includes all the equipment, accessories and utilities necessary for the care of pigeons. Perches are placed on the sides of loft walls. When a pigeon is ‘settled’ to a loft, that loft becomes its home.

  a. An aviary is the part of the loft where pigeons can be given sunlight. It is usually built with wire netting on the sides and roof.

  b. The trap is a specially constructed opening which permits the pigeon to enter but not to leave the loft. When the pigeon enters the loft this way, is is said to have ‘trapped.’ A trap which permits the pigeons to open and leave at will is called an ‘open trap.’ A landing board is placed in front of the trap upon which pigeons alight when about to enter the loft.

  c. A settling cage of wire which is built to fit over the roof and landing board of the loft, is used to aid in settling and training pigeons to trap.”

  19. Receipt of Pigeons at Loft

  To receive pigeons at a loft, proceed as follows:

  a. Immediately upon their arrival transfer the birds to the loft from the crates or baskets in which they were transported. The pigeons may have completed a lengthy trip and be in comparatively poor condition because of delays in travel or lack of proper care and attention.

  b. Immediately after the birds have been transferred to the loft, carefully examine and handle each pigeon, separating the healthy from the sickly. Place the healthy birds in a compartment where they can obtain plenty of fresh drinking water, and feed them sparingly. Isolate the birds which appear sick until they are fully recovered.

  c. It is imperative that the pigeons be vaccinated against pigeon pox if they were not vaccinated prior to shipment...”

  SECTION IV

  LOFT MANAGEMENT AND RECORDS

  25. Routine

  A pigeoneer in charge of a loft can best care for his pigeons by observing the following daily routine in loft management:

  a. Upon entering the loft, make a general inspection to see that everything is in order.

  b. Sweep or scrape all sand and droppings and sift through a fine screen. Add new sand and spread in a thin layer.

  c. Provide fresh drinking water.

  d. Provide bath water.

  e. Conduct prescribed exercise and other training for pigeons according to schedule. This may include all types of flights.

  f. Post loft records.

  g. Prepare daily quantity of feed and give prescribed portions.

  h. Inspect all pigeons as to condition, health, mating, breeding, etc., whenever required.

  i. Carry out any special instructions given for the day.”

  27. Records and Reports

  The records and reports required for each pigeon unit are Breeding Card, Pigeon Breeding Record, Pigeon Flight Record, Pigeon Pedigree, and Monthly Pigeon Loft Report.”

  28. Banding

  a. Each breeding loft is furnished with identifying metal leg bands to be used in the banding of all youngsters. These bands, PG-16, are manufactured in
pairs. Each pair bears the pigeon’s serial number.

  (1) One of the pair of bands bears a marking which includes US, the last two figures of the calendar year the bird was hatched, the letters SC or AAF, and a serial number. This band is placed on the left leg and indicates that the pigeon was bred by the United States Army. It should not be removed as it serves to identify the pigeon with its breeding record.

  (2) The other band of the pair bears marking identical to that in (1) above except that in place of the ‘US’ it bears the letters ‘USA.’ This band is placed on the right leg, and it means that the pigeon was bred and is the property of the United States Army. This band is removed whenever the pigeon ceases to remain the property of the United States Army.

  (3) Characteristic markings of leg bands now used are as follows:

  (a) Right leg, USA 44 SC 15. Left leg, US 44 SC 15

  (b) Right leg, US 44 AAF 407. Left leg, US 44 AAF407.

  (4) The following designations were used prior to 1944:

  FtM. Fort Monmouth

  4CA 4th Corps Area

  4th SC 4th Service Command

  7th SC 7th Service Command

  8CA 8th Corps Area

  8th SC 8th Service Command

  9th SC 9th Service Command

  CZ Canal Zone

  HT Territory of Hawaii

  PI Philippine Islands

  ML Mobile Loft

  C Combat

  PR Puerto Rico

  SC Signal Corps

  TH Territory of Hawaii

  b. In addition to the banded pigeons bred and owned by the United States Army, there are those of the United States Navy, and two large national associations of civilian pigeon fanciers, the American Racing Pigeon Union and the International Federation of American Homing Pigeon Fanciers, as well as those of numerous smaller organizations.”

  29. Loft Equipment

  a. T/O and E 11-39 prescribes the authorized allowances of nonexpendable pigeon equipment for signal pigeon companies and is the basis for requisition.

  b. Army Service Forces Catalog SIG 4-1, Signal Supply Catalog, Allowances of Expendable Supplies, prescribes the authorized allowances of expendable items for signal pigeon companies and is the basis for requisition.”

  Leg bands “PG-15,” in assorted colors, light blue, black, dark blue, green, pink, red, yellow, “pigeon, leg, marking, celluloid.”

  Leg bands “PG-16,” “pigeon leg, identifying, aluminum; 1 pair to each pigeon.”

  Blow gun, disinfectant, 1-qt. capacity.”

  Pigeon’s water bowl “PG-75”.

  “Pigeon, pressed wood pulp. Supersedes Bowl PG-29.”

  Loft-cleaning brush.

  “Pigeon loft, counter duster.”

  Cage. “10-bird, training.”

  Multivitamin capsules.

  Quassia chips. Used to create a disinfectant rinse for bathing the pigeons.

  Two-bird collapsible pigeon carry case, made of fiberboard.

  “Container, assembled 11 ½ x 6 x 6 in.; dismantled (folded flat) 15 x 12 x ½ in.; net weight, 1 lb.”

  Half-pint pigeon drinking cup with attachment hooks.

  Pigeon transport crate. “20-bird, transportation.”

  Dummy pigeon egg. “Pigeon nest, white glass.”

  Message holders, of transparent plastic.

  Pigeon bathing pan.

  Parachute equipment for pigeons “PG-100/CB.” “Pigeon; a collapsible cylinder type container; 4-bird capacity; attached to a 6-ft parachute with quick release clip.”

  Parachute equipment for pigeons “PG-101/CB.” “8-bird capacity; attached to a 9-ft. parachute”

  Pigeon field equipment set including 2-bird parachute, twelve bird-mountable message holders, map overlay pad, a message book and two black pencils.

  Jumbo field equipment set with 4-bird parachute, 24 message holders, message book, map overlay pad and two pencils.

  Pigeon vest “PG-106/CB” “Shaped to form a pigeon’s body permitting neck, wing tips, tail and feet to protrude, made of porous fabric and has strap for carrying pigeon on paratrooper’s or scout’s chest, adjustable to any size pigeon.”

  Cedar shavings.

  Scraper. “Similar in shape to a putty knife except blade is 3 in. wide. Supersedes scraper PG-34, Stock No. 9A2034.” [presumably used for scraping pigeon dung]

  Sieve for pigeon feed.

  Tobacco stems [favored nesting material.]

  Disinfectant. “Black Flag (liquid), 1 qt. or equal.”

  Plus paperwork: Pigeon Breeding Records, Pigeon Pedigree forms both short and long, map overlays, Pigeon Breeding Cards, Monthly Pigeon Report, and a Pigeon Flight Record.

  The Army also issued six different mixtures of pigeon feed, for breeding, molting, training and conditioning, and for tropical climates, as well as two kinds of pigeon grit.

  30. Message Holders

  Message Holder PG-67 consists of a body, cap, leg clamp, strap, and fastener. The body, cap, and leg clamp are made of transparent plastic material.”

  [This ingenious device looks like a small three-ribbed drug vial. It is weatherproof. The cap, which is labelled “PG-67,” comes off (unscrews?) from the top of the message holder. The bottom end of the vial has a semicircular leg-holder attached. The bird’s leg is fitted into this semicircle, and a wide strap of sturdy fabric wraps both the leg and the vial. The fabric strap then snaps neatly onto the body of the vial with a common metal fabric-snap.]

  a. To attach message holder to pigeon, place leg clamp of holder around the aluminum identification band on the pigeon’s leg and secure strap by means of the fastener. The message holder must always be attached with the cap pointing in the direction of the pigeon’s body. If attached with the cap pointing down it will interfere with the bird’s walking. The aluminum bands must be loose enough on the pigeon’s leg to allow the message holder to adjust itself to positions that will not interfere with the bird’s flying. In emergencies, a message holder may be placed on each leg.

  b. Pigeons to be used for signal communication should be trained with the message holder attached to the leg to accustom them to carrying it. Pigeons should be distributed to combat troops, with message holders attached if it is known that the receiving troops have not had training or experience in handling the birds. (...)

  c. To remove a message from a pigeon, catch the bird after it has trapped; hold it in one hand, extend its leg, and remove the message holder with the other hand. Release pigeon in loft.

  d. When it is necessary for a pigeon to carry a message and a message holder is not available, fold message blank, attach it by looping it around the leg band and tie its two ends together with a piece of thread or light weight string.

  Caution: NEVER WIND a string or rubber band around a pigeon’s leg because it will stop the circulation and may cause the pigeon to lose its leg.”

  36. Delivering Pigeons by Parachute

  a. EQUIPMENT. Parachute equipment PG-100/CB consists of a collapsible, cylinder-type, 4-bird container and a 6- foot hemispherical baseball-type parachute with a quick release clip. Parachute equipment PG-101/CB is of similar design except that the container has an 8-bird capacity and is attached to a 9-foot parachute. This equipment is specifically designed to supply initially or to resupply pigeons to infantry parachute troops, infantry glider troops, or any isolated forces requiring delivery of pigeons by air.

  b. INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE. To insure safe delivery of the pigeons, caution must be observed when attaching containers to the parachutes. The instructions printed on each parachute pack should be strictly adhered to.

  c. RESULTS. Best results will be obtained when pigeons are launched between the altitudes of 200 and 1,000 feet with air speed not exceeding 125 miles an hour. Pigeons launched within these general limits are less likely to become lost because of excessive drift. The possibility of injury to the birds from high speed air rushing through the container, or from shock when the
parachute opens, will be reduced to a minimum.”

  Source: War Department Technical Manual TM-11-410, The Homing Pigeon. War Department, U. S. Government Printing Office, January 1945

  Bibliocadavers

  From Jim Thompson

  “A Kentucky bookbinder and printer, Timothy Hawley Books, offers a line of what it calls bibliocadavers, handsomely bound volumes whose blank or printed pages are created from a pulp containing the ashes of a loved one.”

  Source: Atlantic Monthly, September 1998, page 24 in Notes and Comment by Cullen Murphey

  the Prague Pneumatic Post

  From Bruce Sterling

  “About two dozen brass and black-steel tubes are lined up along one wall of a large, airy room. Indicator lights are mounted on the front of the tubes; at the end of each tube is a receptacle made of dark polished wood. Also below each tube is a separate hatch neatly labeled with an engraved and painted brass plaque.

  “A red indicator light on one of the tubes turns on. A low-level hum gradually builds over several minutes to a high-pitched whir. It all ends with a dull plunk as a metal cylinder drops from the tube and into the basket. An operator retrieves the canister, reads the label that denotes its intended destination, then deposits it into one of the lower hatches.

  “A green indicator light comes on, signifying that the canister is on its way to its final destination.

  “For about 25 businesses in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, m-commerce (that’s ‘m’ as in ‘mechanical’) is still the quickest, safest,and cheapest way to get things done. In a matter of minutes, an important document can make its way from point A to point B on the potrubni posti, Prague’s underground pneumatic tube network, at a cost of about 11 U.S. cents per transmission.

  “The network, comprised of some 60 kilometers of underground tubes, has been in operation since the 1920s, when it was considered the state of the art for high-speed document transfer. Other citywide pneumatic networks have long since been shut down or retooled for other purposes, but the Prague network continues to handle about 9,000 transmissions per month (in its heyday in the 1960s and ‘70s, the system carried more than a million messages per month).”