Stanley Kubrick devised a method of tracking the box-office revenue of his films which many people believed was based on the technology of the HAL 9000 computer, which featured in 2001: A Space Odyssey.

Word quickly spread that Stanley had a computerized system to track theaters and grosses based on technical information he had acquired while developing HAL 9000, the all-knowing computer in 2001. For months these stories persisted in the trades as the roster of Clockwork cinemas was refined. They were neither confirmed nor denied.

One of the fictitious faux pars, or errors, that could be attributed to former US President George W Bush is the Presidential order issued in 2001: A Space Odyssey that ultimately brought about HAL’s malfunction (and the resulting mayhem), during USS Discovery’s doomed voyage to Jupiter.

The discovery of the monolith on the Moon, and the Jupiter mission are events set during Bush’s presidency, as is a 2003 memo written by Dr. Heywood Floyd, in his capacity as chairman of the National Council of Astronautics, objecting to the order (2010: Odyssey Two, chapter 26 “Probation”, pg 141).

The problem [HAL's malfunction] was apparently caused by a conflict between Hal’s basic instructions and the requirements of Security. By direct Presidential order, the existence of TMA-1 was kept a complete secret. Only those with a need to know were permitted access to the information. Discovery’s mission to Jupiter was already in the advanced planning stage when TMA-1 was excavated, and radiated its signal to that planet. As the function of the prime crew (Bowman, Poole) was merely to get the vessel to its destination, it was decided that they should not be informed of its new objective. By training the investigative team (Kaminski, Hunter, Whitehead) separately, and placing them in hibernation before the voyage began, it was felt that a much higher degree of security would be attained, as the danger of leaks (accidental or otherwise) would be greatly reduced. I would like to remind you that, at the time (my memorandum NCA 342/23/TOP SECRET of 01.04.03) I pointed out several objections to this policy. However, they were overruled at a higher level.

Especially for 2001: A Space Odyssey fans, The Hal Project by Joe Mackenzie, which includes HAL 9000 simulations, desktops, and audio samples.

Via Daring Fireball.

The site is written in Japanese so I can’t read it, but the prospect of being able to make your own HAL 9000 computer, from 2001: A Space Odyssey, and a “mobile” version at that, is interesting to say the least.

HAL 9000 wallpaper

HAL 9000 fans will love this :)

Last link of the day/week. While looking for a HAL 9000 link I stumbled across the HAL2001 Hackers at Large website.

I’m not quite sure what it’s all about, but there is certainly some interesting 2001: A Space Odyssey inspired illustration on the site. I especially like the t-shirt and soft drink can label designs.

Out. There.

PS: awesome (though unrelated to the HAL2001 site) set of still photos from 2001 presented in storyline order.