1. In computer folklore, an ill-defined period from ENIAC (ca. 1943)
to the mid-1950s; the great age of electromechanical {dinosaur}s.
Sometimes used for the entire period up to 1960--61 (see {Iron Age});
however, it is funnier and more descriptive to characterize the
latter period in terms of a `Bronze Age' era of transistor-logic,
pre-ferrite-{core} machines with drum or CRT mass storage (as opposed
to just mercury delay lines and/or relays). See also {Iron Age}.
How things weren't in the {Stone Age}.
(The next cartoon in the Crunchly saga is 76-07-18. The previous
cartoon was 76-03-14:5-8.)
2. More generally, a pejorative for any crufty, ancient piece of
hardware or software technology. Note that this is used even by
people who were there for the {Stone Age} (sense 1).
[glossary]
[Reference(s) to this entry by made by: {Iron Age}{mainframe}{punched card}{Stone Age}]