The concept of deus ex machina has saved many an unbelievable story, when the gods step in and do something that no mere mortal could do to advance the plot or resolve it. The modern counterpart is a real machine -the computer. Since a computer can conceivably do anything, especially in the future, writers make them do pretty much anything they need to power a movie plot. This was especially true in the 60s and 70s, and although it's still being done today, the older movies that feature computers look deliciously ridiculous as state-of-the-art is very different now that those "futures" are here. Wired runs down some of those films in two posts that will bring back memories, or inspire you to watch those older movies. Shown is a computer from Rollerball, set in 2018, which uses punch cards. Link to part one.
Link to part two. -via mental_floss