The invention of the first wearable computer

Edward O. Thorp

2002 · 146 citations · 4 references

Concepts

TL;DR

A wearable computer was conceived in 1955 to predict roulette, leading to a collaboration with Claude Shannon at MIT in 1960‑61. The device was tested in Las Vegas during the summer of 1961 by the Shannons and Thorps. The cigarette‑pack‑sized analog computer achieved an expected 44 % gain on roulette bets, confirmed in Las Vegas tests, but a hardware issue limited sustained betting, and its existence remained secret until 1966.

Abstract

The first wearable computer was conceived in 1955 by the author to predict roulette, culminating in a joint effort at M.I.T. with Claude Shannon in 1960-61. The final operating version was rested in Shannon's basement home lab in June of 1961. The cigarette pack sized analog device yielded an expected gain of +44% when betting on the most favored "octant". The Shannons and Thorps tested the computer in Las Vegas in the summer of 1961. The predictions there were consistent with the laboratory expected gain of 44% but a minor hardware problem deferred sustained serious betting. We kept the method and the existence of the computer secret until 1966.

References

4