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Jurassic Park's Hidden Tech: Real Unix & Macs!
16 Jul
Summary
- Film used real SGI workstations and Macs for authentic computer setups.
- Production spent over $875,000 on Silicon Graphics hardware alone.
- The 'Unix system' line referenced actual FSN file manager software.
Jurassic Park's production team prioritized authenticity, sourcing real computers for its iconic sets. This attention to detail, driven by writer Michael Crichton's computing background, is highlighted in recent analyses.
The film incorporated advanced hardware of its time, including five Thinking Machines CM-5 systems and SGI workstations like the IRIS Crimson. Special effects coordinator Cory Faucher emphasized that "everything in the set was real" due to audience sophistication.
Significant investment was made in technology, with Silicon Graphics loaning $875,000 worth of hardware. Apple also contributed, and an additional $500,000 funded other hardware and software, equipping both sets and control rooms.
Dennis Nedry's workstations were actual Macintosh Quadra 700 models. The film also featured recognizable software such as QuickTime and the experimental FSN 3D file system browser, which inspired the memorable "this is a Unix system" line.
