...with the hair pulled back, revealing a rack of cheap networked PCs, circa 1999.
Each level has a couple of PC boards slammed in there, partially overlapping. This approach reflects a presumption of rapid obsolescence of cheap hardware, which would not need to be repaired. Several of the PCs never worked, and the system design optimized around multiple computer failures.
Larry and Sergey told me long ago that the beta system used Duplo blocks for the chassis because generic brand plastic blocks were not rigid enough.
We held an event at the Computer History Museum yesterday, and I noticed this new item in the collection. It pre-dates the Google Master Plan.
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Shapeways: 23 months ago | reply
Sweet, love that they used Duplo bricks to hold it together...
tjames221 22 months ago | reply
That is incredible! It's amazing how far we've come since then. I get the same feeling when I look at an Apple II-c. Can I use this photo in my post Social Media Club? Thanks!
AlexTurton 18 months ago | reply
shot. well done

jurvetson 4 months ago | reply
Some interesting historical detail from amitp about the racks: