• Date and Event: On July 10, 2024, the intelligence agency claims it "no longer has the ability to view" a 1982 recording.
• The Recording: It is two AMPEX 1-inch open reel tapes containing a landmark lecture by Admiral Grace Hopper at the NSA's Fort Meade headquarters on August 19, 1982. Titled "Future Possibilities: Data, Hardware, Software, and People", it offers insights into the development of technology and is split into TVC 930A and TVC 930B with specific durations.
• Request and Response: In 2021, a request for a copy was filed. In 2024, the NSA provided a "no responsive documents" response. They said the tapes are in an obsolete format they can't play back or digitize without new technology, and all reasonable attempts were made.
• Tape Labels: On June 25, 2024, the NSA provided an image of the tape labels.
• Accessing the Tapes: To access the lecture, a compatible AMPEX 1-inch Video Tape Recorder (VTR) is needed. These machines are rare but not extinct, and the NSA has the resources to locate and use one through its network and affiliates.
• The Challenge: The dilemma highlights the need for digital preservation as digital obsolescence threatens early technological formats. It is a shared obligation to safeguard national history.
• Header Image: The header image is in the public domain from the Grace Murray Hopper Collection.