[ih] ARPAnet and nuclear survivability

[Dave CROCKER]

Bernie Cosell wrote:
> On another list the old question came up again and I'm not sure I've ever 
> gotten a straight answer.  I have always thought that Licklider's intent 
> was to build a collaboration/research network.  


Since the Arpanet had a number of different people in lead positions, it would 
not be surprising if they had different agendas or chose to present things in 
different ways to particular audiences.

When I got involved, in the early 70's, I would periodically hear some folk 
characterize the capability as designed to "survive hostile battlefield 
conditions".  I took that to mean convention battlefields, not nuclear.  (I've 
heard that in the first Iraq War, the US was unable to knock out the Iraque data 
net; survivability was thereby demonstrated...)

I believe I've heard that Lukasik would claim the goal of nuclear survivability 
during presentations to the military or Congress or somesuch, as a funding pitch.

d/

-- 

   Dave Crocker
   Brandenburg InternetWorking
   bbiw.net