Believe it or not, computer technology was first introduced 43 years ago to match boys and girls who attended a fun-filled dance jointly organized by Andrew Warde and Roger Ludlowe highs schools. The "computer dating" service was a big hit with the students, according to a newspaper story which appeared Sunday, February 19, 1967.
The teens from both high schools filled out cards stating whether they thought they were beautiful or handsome, whether they most admired an all-American football player or a prize-winning novelist, or whether they preferred quiet or talkative dates.
The cards were processed by a computer in Boston, and teenagers were matched at the dance. According to the article, "The computer dance is the latest craze which is sweeping the country. American teenagers are using the computer to pick their ideal dates for a high school dance."
In addition to providing a high school dating service, Betty Tyler, author of the article in the Bridgeport Sunday Post, wrote, "Computers in the area are doing everything from preparing payrolls to printing report cards. Within a year, a bank teller will insert a card at her window and record the customer's acquired interest instantly. A computer in a hospital will schedule medication for a patient and ring a bell if it is not given at the proper time."
In fact, the author wrote that "within the very near future, every housewife and every office in the Bridgeport area will have access to a computer. The day is close at hand when the housewife will be able to insert a card in her telephone to order an item from a department store and the charge will be taken directly from her bank account."
Fast-forward 43 years. Betty Tyler's words were, indeed, prophetic. Now, we use computers for everything, including dating. In fact, you're reading this on the computer. But it must have been exciting for the Andrew Warde and Roger Ludlowe high school students who first used the computer to get matched with their dates in 1967. I'm sure they haven't forgotten about it, either.
Paul
Danbury's remarkable 23-year reign as the king of FCIAC wrestling came to a dramatic end on Saturday night as Fairfield Warde High School edged the Hatters by eight points to claim the title. The last time Danbury didn't capture the FCIAC title was when Greenwich won in 1986 -- several years before any of the wrestlers in the New Canaan High gym Friday night were even born.
For the Danbury wrestlers, meanwhile, the magnitude of the defeat was written all over their faces. Tears fell and heads hung low under the weight of the Hatters' dynasty.
Ventura -- a senior and a first-year varsity wrestler who is pictured above being congratulated by his coaches -- was awarded the Most Valuable Wrestler award for his efforts.
