Admiral Grace Hopper's landmark lecture is found, but the NSA won't release it

Admiral Grace Hopper's 1982 landmark lecture, titled "Future Possibilities: Data, Hardware, Software, and People," recorded at the NSA's Fort Meade headquarters, remains inaccessible on obsolete AMPEX 1-inch open reel tapes. The NSA claims it cannot view or digitize the tapes, leading to challenges in accessing valuable insights from a pioneer in computer science. Despite efforts to obtain the recordings, the NSA provided a "no responsive documents" response, citing outdated technology as a barrier. The NSA's reluctance to invest in accessing the tapes raises broader concerns about preserving technological heritage. While the NSA possesses the capability to locate a compatible video tape recorder (VTR) to access the lecture, the technical exercise required highlights the importance of digital preservation. The quest to resurrect Admiral Hopper's lectures symbolizes a shared responsibility to safeguard crucial elements of American history for future generations, transcending the NSA's typical operational scope. The situation underscores the pressing need to address digital obsolescence and ensure access to significant historical content.