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Although Ethan was a transmigrator who claimed to have seen many things, he had never encountered a situation like this.
Steven Spielberg's dad and Professor Ralph Baer actually knew each other?
What kind of weird relationship is that? Why does the world have such inexplicable connections?
Ethan couldn't figure it out. A giant question mark practically popped up over his head.
As he shook his head in confusion, Spielberg laughed, glanced at him, and said, "OHHHH, Ethan, do you not believe me? Or are you just curious about my father? Which is it?"
"Of course I'm curious." Ethan tapped his temple with his index finger. "Because I can't understand the relationship between you two. I just can't connect it."
His blunt words only made Spielberg shake his head repeatedly.
"What's so hard to understand about this?"
Then, he leaned forward, reminding them, "Weren't you surprised earlier? How could someone like me, with C-level grades, get into Cal State Long Beach after being rejected three times by other film schools? Do I have some extraordinary talent? If I did, why didn't USC's film school see it?
Wouldn't the normal path for someone like me be straight into community college?"
Although he posed it as a question, Spielberg didn't leave them guessing. He answered himself:
"It's simple—because my father thought my IQ was perfectly normal. He believed that as long as I studied seriously, I could graduate from an ordinary university. So, he pulled some strings to get me into Cal State. After all, my father is an electronic engineer—he knows people.
He couldn't teach me how to make movies, but getting me into college? That was easy."
Through Spielberg's story, Ethan and Jobs realized that behind this man with thick eyebrows and a determined gaze was… a good father.
Arnold Spielberg, Steven's father, was an electrical engineer who had graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. In 1949, he joined RCA.
RCA—Radio Corporation of America—was no ordinary company. Founded in 1919 by a terrifying alliance of giants—General Electric, Westinghouse Electric, AT&T, and even the United Fruit Company—it dominated America's electronics and communications industry. It was RCA that established NBC, spreading radio and television across the U.S., and it was RCA that pushed forward the popularization of both black-and-white and color TV.
After Arnold Spielberg joined the company, he quickly became an important figure. He invented a tape-based data sorter and retrieval device related to computer storage, earning a patent. He also developed an early cash register retrieval system used in supermarkets. The basic functions we take for granted today—price look-up, sales tax calculation, discounts, credit verification—were pioneered by his design.
It was precisely because Spielberg's father's computer skills were so outstanding that he was later hired by General Electric in the mid-1950s, where he participated in the development of GE's first computer. His contributions left a profound impact on the company's history in the computing field.
To be honest, calling him merely "excellent" was Spielberg being humble. His father's achievements in computer science had already surpassed 99% of engineers. That placed him among the tiny group standing at the very peak of human technology.
When this fact came to light, Ethan turned to Jobs with a twisted expression, as if he had just swallowed chicken soup laced with strange spices. His bright eyes were full of endless questions.
It was practically written across his face: "Did you know about this??"
Jobs, even without words, understood. He shook his head: "I didn't know."
The silent charade between them made Spielberg burst into laughter. He slapped the table and said, "Hey! Don't be like that. I don't usually mention these things because I don't think it's necessary. We're friends who came together because of shared interests—why create distance over something like this?"
Of course, after marveling, Ethan realized Spielberg had no ill intentions. So he asked again, "Then… how did your father and Professor Ralph Baer know each other?"
"Because they're both senior members of the IEEE."
Now that the topic had gone this far, Spielberg didn't hold back. He pointed to himself and continued,
"Besides… my father and Professor Baer share the same past."
Although that period of history was a painful memory for Spielberg, time had softened the wound enough that he could now speak of it.
Spielberg let out a sigh. "Between 1941 and 1945, twenty members of our family were killed. My father was devastated. I wasn't born yet, so I can't truly understand his grief. But Professor Baer could. Because his family… escaped during that night."
After meeting through IEEE and realizing their shared history, Spielberg's father and Professor Baer often talked at length.
"Professor Baer recalled that suffocating period for my father," Spielberg said quietly. "He told us horrific stories… and my father wept. Because he felt, in that moment, that he could see those relatives… waving to him from the other side."
Spielberg's voice faltered. He pursed his lips, pain and vulnerability clouding his young face.
Ethan and Jobs both fell silent. They knew—sometimes silence was the greatest comfort.
But inside Ethan's heart, countless emotions surged. Steven Spielberg's father and Professor Ralph Baer had such a connection? Isn't this too much of a coincidence? Like the answer was already written on the exam paper before the test even started? Isn't this unfair to the other candidates?
But…he likes it! That's right. Ethan was an honest man—if the path was laid clear before him, he wasn't going to pretend otherwise.
If it weren't for the solemn occasion, he would've jumped up laughing right then:
So what if Magnavox holds the patents for video games and training devices?
Hah! I've found a special connection now—Magnavox,
Note:
① Spielberg's father, Arnold Spielberg, is honored at the Computer History Museum. He's a real boss. While he may not have created an entirely new field, his contributions to the development of computers are undeniable.
In 2006, he also received the IEEE Pioneer Award. The citation stated that "the real-time data collection and recording system he developed made a significant contribution to the definition of modern process control and feedback." This award is highly prestigious—Robert Kahn, Vinton Cerf's partner and co-inventor of the TCP/IP protocol, also received it.
② United Fruit Company was a powerhouse—the world's largest banana company. It still exists today, but under a different name: Chiquita.
③ The exact number of Spielberg's relatives killed is uncertain. Some sources say sixteen, others twenty, and some say "between sixteen and twenty." I can't pin down the precise figure either.
④ I believe I already mentioned that Ralph Baer was Jewish—his family fled Germany before Kristallnacht. I also covered IEEE earlier, so I won't repeat those details here.