Register for E-mail alerts. Comment on articles. Sign up today, it's easy.
Close
The Washington Times Online Edition

Obama misspeaks on computer inventor

THE WASHINGTON TIMES

First Al Gore, now Barack Obama.

The Democrats appear to need another refresher course in the history of technology.

At Tuesday night’s presidential debate at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn., Mr. Obama, in talking about environmental innovation, incorrectly described the invention of the computer as a government project.

“The same way the computer was originally invented by a bunch of government scientists who were trying to figure out, for defense purposes, how to communicate,” he said.

The mistake was reminiscent of Mr. Gore’s comments about the Internet. When running for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1999, he told a CNN interviewer: “During my service in the United States Congress, I took the initiative in creating the Internet.”

The first computers were created by teams of professors and graduate students. The two teams with the strongest claim to the invention were from Iowa State University and the University of Pennsylvania, where the research originally was funded by the Army during World War II.

Mr. Obama’s error was not the first time technology tripped up the 2008 campaign.

In September, an aide talking about Sen. John McCain’s support for telecommunications legislation held up a BlackBerry and told reporters: “You’re looking at the miracle that John McCain helped create.”

Comments
blog comments powered by Disqus
You Might Also Like
  • An Army carry team moves a transfer case containing the remains of Staff Sgt. Israel P. Nuanes after arrival at Dover Air Force Base, Del. Nuanes died in Afghanistan supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. (Associated Press)

    Military diligent in quest to locate its missing

  • Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney speaks to reporters on a campaign charter flight between New York and Washington on Wednesday, May 23, 2012. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

    Romney sees D.C. school vouchers as model for U.S.

  • A snapshot posted on an internal GSA website shows attendees at the four-day, $823,000 2010 Western Regions conference in Las Vegas participating in a poolside activity.

    High-level officials partied with GSA in Vegas

  • Celebrities In The News
  • Viola Davis (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

    Viola Davis: Actress addresses R.I. high school alma mater

  • Singer Kanye West, left, and television personality Kim Kardashian arrive for the screening of Cruel Summer at the 65th international film festival, in Cannes, southern France, Wednesday, May 23, 2012. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)

    Kanye and Kim Kardashian: Cuddles in Cannes

  • American pop singer and songwriter Lady Gaga poses May 19, 2012, before the media upon her arrival in a hotel in Manila's financial district of Makati, Philippines. (Associated Press)

    Lady Gaga: Singer angers Thai fans with fake Rolex comment

  • Happening Now

        Independent voices from the TWT Communities

        Travel the World

        It's a big world to play in, and learn from. Join us as we travel it's boundaries and beyond.

        Medicine and Politics in America

        Health care reform, organized medicine, physician practice management, and patient care--a real time look at the challenges facing doctors and patients in America today.

        Political Potpourri

        A collection of reader guest articles, thoughts and opinions by Communities writers and breaking news and information.

        Premium Cable

        Distilling the best that television has to offer with news, reviews, previews and insights into premium cable programs and award winning series