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Sage: An atomic bomb kicked off the biggest computing project in history
I live a few miles away from an old SAGE blockhouse [1]. It's still imposing today - basically looks like a giant block of cement. It's interesting to see pictures of the inside of one of these things when it was in use.

[1] https://fortwiki.com/Richards-Gebaur_SAGE_Direction_Center_D...

there are several buildings like this in Manhattan. https://www.cromwell-intl.com/travel/usa/new-york-internet/p...

yeah, it looks less basic than a concrete block, but it is just a big box. this small skyscraper could offer a nice view, but it has no windows.

they used to be filled with telephone switching equipment for all the phone lines, but electronic switching has shrunk those space needs a lot. I think they've turned them into hosting providers for financial companies but I'm not positive.

The Computer History Museum in Mountain View has good exhibit on this. The sheer scale of the project was incredible. And rendered obsolete in a few years by the advent of ICBMs.

Pretty cool seeing that the consoles had a place for your cigarette.

Would we be able to execute on a project like today, ignoring political party factors?

I mean to ask: do we have enough mature entities in our industry and academia to pull of a project of this scope in 2025?

Yes, but not under the current procurement processes used by DOD.