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Triumph of the Nerds

  • TV Mini Series
  • 1996
  • 2h 30m
IMDb RATING
8.4/10
1.4K
YOUR RATING
Triumph of the Nerds (1996)
Documentary

Three part documentary series that tells the story of the birth of the personal computer, with the candid recollections of PC pioneers, like Steve Wozniak, Steve Jobs and Bill Gates.Three part documentary series that tells the story of the birth of the personal computer, with the candid recollections of PC pioneers, like Steve Wozniak, Steve Jobs and Bill Gates.Three part documentary series that tells the story of the birth of the personal computer, with the candid recollections of PC pioneers, like Steve Wozniak, Steve Jobs and Bill Gates.

  • Stars
    • Robert X. Cringely
    • Steve Jobs
    • Douglas Adams
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.4/10
    1.4K
    YOUR RATING
    • Stars
      • Robert X. Cringely
      • Steve Jobs
      • Douglas Adams
    • 12User reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Episodes3

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    1 season1996

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    Top cast55

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    Robert X. Cringely
    Robert X. Cringely
    • Self - Host…
    • 1996
    Steve Jobs
    Steve Jobs
    • Self (co-founder, Apple Computer Worth $1 billion)
    • 1996
    Douglas Adams
    Douglas Adams
    • Self (Sci-fi Author)
    • 1996
    Bill Gates
    Bill Gates
    • Self (co-founder, Microsoft Worth $13 billion)
    • 1996
    Steve Wozniak
    Steve Wozniak
    • Self (co-founder, Apple Computer Worth $200 million)
    • 1996
    Steve Ballmer
    Steve Ballmer
    • Self (vice-president, Microsoft Worth $3 billion)
    • 1996
    Paul Allen
    Paul Allen
    • Self (co-founder, Microsoft)
    • 1996
    Graham Spencer
    • Self (Chief Programmer Architext Software)
    • 1996
    Mark Van Haren
    • Self (programmer, Architext Software)
    • 1996
    Edwin Chin
    • Self - 10 year old
    • 1996
    Christine Comaford
    • Self (CEO, Corporate Computing International)
    • 1996
    Mat Hostetter
    • Self (Programmer, ARDI)
    • 1996
    Larry Ellison
    Larry Ellison
    • Self (founder and president, Oracle)
    Ted Nelson
    • Self
    Gary Kildall
    • Self (founder, Digital Research)
    Andy Hertzfeld
    Andy Hertzfeld
    • Self (designer, Macintosh Development Team)
    Bill Murto
    Bill Murto
    • Self (co-founder, Compaq)
    Sparky Sparks
    • Self (former IBM executive)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews12

    8.41.4K
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    Featured reviews

    1comeherecat

    Is Sexist The Right Word?

    If you're a woman watching this, be prepared to be discounted. You will be repeatedly reminded that your gender disqualifies you from being interested in computing.
    Joe Eeee

    Sociopaths, egomaniacs and hippies.

    And we have THEM to thank for all of this.

    Your humble author can't help but wonder how Bob Cringely got the likes of Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Steve Wozniak, Paul Allen and others in front of the cameras for an honest look inside the slightly twisted minds that begat the personal computer.

    At 3 hours in length, "Triumph of the Nerds" isn't just a PBS miniseries. On home video, it becomes an epic. And why shouldn't it be? The personal computer has an impact on our lives equal to that of the light bulb and the automobile. But in the case of the PC, most of the people responsible for its creation and worldwide influence are still alive. These are flesh and blood humans, not fading historical sketches like Henry Ford and Thomas Edison.

    "Triumph of the Nerds" was originally produced as a 20-year retrospective on the personal computer. But the PC will be 25 years old in the year 2000. I can't wait to see Bob Cringely's follow up.
    8Miekje

    Great series with all the big names from the industry

    I found these clips on YouTube, it's a 3-part documentary about the rise of computers/internet from about 1976 to 1996. Definitely worth seeing if you're from this era and still want to know more about it. All the great names pass by, like Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, etc... The documentary is made by Robert Cringely, a sort of "insider" to the whole booming of silicon valley. He deliver's a lot of accurate information, in my opinion, with a bit of humor here and there. So it's also fun to watch as well. And seeing as computers and the internet are the best things to come along since sliced bread, this is a MUST SEE! ;-)
    10crash21

    This is where your PC or Tablet came from

    I call "The Triumph of the Nerds" the best PC history documentary ever made. They talk about everything from your first home built PC, up to the Internet. Along with the people explaining everything were the people who actually had a big part in creating some of this stuff; Bill Gates, Steve Wozniak, Steve Jobs, and even the founder of Oracle Larry Ellison.

    The only thing I don't like about this is that they still haven't made a decade later version that was promised in the documentary. I would have liked to see some of this compared to what's happening now. Something I would have liked to seen because several of Larry Ellison's comments are coming to life.

    No matter what anyone says, this is truly where a great amount your personal electronics did originate.
    7ebiros2

    From Back of the Garage to the Forefront of Technology

    This is a story of few very talented people working from their garage launching a mega billion dollar empire. The grass roots development of personal computers in the '70s and '80s are captured in this excellent program. From the development of Altair 8800, Apple II, and launching of Microsoft to the IBM PC, bringing about the change we know today as computer revolution, this program details the early history of personal computer development from an insider's view. All major historical events concerning the early computer revolution is treated fairly and in an unbiased way making this an excellent documentary on history of personal computer development, but it is also presented in a entertaining way that even an average couch potato can enjoy. The major players are all there and there are many good personal interviews which brings insights as to how the event really took place. A priceless piece of computer history in a three hour program.

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    6.9
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    7.0
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    Documentary

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Goofs
      Part 1 refers to the First West Coast Computer Faire where the Apple II was introduced. The Faire was in April 1977, not 1978.
    • Quotes

      Robert X. Cringely - Host: First, they dump the idea of 9 to 5. In this industry, you can work any 80 hours per week you like.

    • Connections
      Featured in De wereld draait door: Episode #7.46 (2011)

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    FAQ12

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 12, 1996 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Official site
      • PBS: Triumph of the Nerds
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • The Triumph of the Nerds
    • Production companies
      • John Gau Productions
      • Oregon Public Broadcasting
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 2h 30m(150 min)
    • Color
      • Color

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