The 1968 Honeywell Briefcase Computer was a visionary concept that foreshadowed the modern laptop. Commissioned by Stanley Kubrick for his film 2001: A Space Odyssey, the briefcase was designed to be a portable computing solution for the character Heywood Floyd. It included a range of advanced features for its time, such as a computer, modem, telephone, TV camera, and microfilmed documents, all integrated into a compact and stylish briefcase. The design was not only a prop for the film but also a forward-looking prediction of future technology, suggesting that such devices would be commercially available within 15 years. While the briefcase was a concept piece and not a functional device, it accurately anticipated the miniaturization and portability of computing technology that would become commonplace in the decades to follow.
One of the most striking aspects of the Honeywell Briefcase Computer was its innovative design. The briefcase featured a CRT screen that was surprisingly thin for its time, though it was still a conceptual representation rather than a functional display. The screen was rounded and fitted into the lid of the briefcase, which was an early attempt to create a portable and user-friendly interface. The device also included a red-handled wand for direct screen input, as touch screens had not yet been developed. This wand was a precursor to modern stylus technology, which is still used in various forms today. The keyboard, while mechanical, was designed with a unique layout, including a dedicated square root key, which was a nod to the mathematical and scientific applications of the device.
The Honeywell Briefcase Computer concept was part of a broader trend in the 1960s to envision a future where technology would be more integrated into daily life. While the briefcase itself was a concept piece, it inspired other futurist visions and technological advancements. For example, researcher Alan Kay, influenced by the learning theories of Jerome Bruner and Seymour Papert, created a mockup of a wirelessly connected tablet-like computer called the Dynabook in 1968. Although the Dynabook was never built, it was a highly influential design that anticipated many of the features of modern tablets and laptops, including a graphical user interface and object-oriented programming. The Honeywell Briefcase Computer and the Dynabook both exemplify the forward-thinking approach of the 1960s, where futurists and technologists were beginning to imagine a world where computing would be portable, accessible, and deeply integrated into everyday activities.
Trivia: The Honeywell Briefcase Computer was not the only futuristic device featured in 2001: A Space Odyssey. The film also included a flat-screen tablet-like device that appeared on the dining table of the Discovery One spacecraft. This device, which was simulated by projecting from under the table, was an early and accurate prediction of modern tablets and entertainment screens, demonstrating that Kubrick and his team had a keen understanding of the direction technology was heading.
