Computer-Geschichten [Computer Stories]

This DEFA documentary film examines electronic data processing. To what extent computers were already shaping the workplace and everyday life is shown by means of several examples – from machine-readable price tags, to the logistics of rail transport, to modern shipbuilding. With contrived humour Computer-Geschichten presents the advantages of computerized automation. In reality East Germany had missed out on the international computer technology boom. Due to the so-called CoCom technology embargo the country was never able to bring its own industrial chip production up to speed despite the fact that by the 1980s it had invested heavily in microelectronics.