50 Years Of BASIC Computer Language

Fifty years ago this week, scientists at Dartmouth College ran the very first computer program written in a language called BASIC, which ushered in a new era of computing.

NPR's Science Correspondent Joe Palca has been working on stories that track the origins of inventions, as part of his NPR project, "Joe's Big Idea."

He joins Here & Now's Sacha Pfeiffer to discuss why this was such a noteworthy accomplishment.