There ’ s an odd cluster of pilings on the eastern edge of the Choctawhatchee Bay . Ever noticed them when driving north across the bridge ? These aren ’ t the remains of an ill-fated attempt at a bridge , but are part of a system capable of detecting low-flying aircraft during the early years of the Cold War when computer technology was in its infancy .
Let ’ s back up a bit : After WWII , the United States learned that the Soviet Union had successfully developed a nuclear bomb and aircraft capable of carrying out a nuclear attack against the United States . A strong national air defense system did not exist — so the race to create one began .
A critical weakness in our air defense was the ability to detect low-flying aircraft in real time . And in 1950 , a computer capable of interpreting data in real time did not exist — which is where the Massachusetts Institute of Technology ( MIT ) enters the conversation .
Professor Jay Forrester was already working with a group at MIT to develop the world ’ s first computer capable of interpreting data in real time . After a successful demonstration , Project Lincoln and the Lincoln Laboratory were created to study air defense systems for the Army , Navy , and Air Force . But since Forrester ’ s computer used storage tubes for internal memory , the data was unreliable . A better memory system was critical . So , Forrester and his team successfully developed the magnetic-core memory system — which spawned modern computing as we know it .
Now that computers could properly analyze and interpret this data , air-to-ground radar testing began . In 1959 , Eglin Air Force installed 2,040 pilings topped with omnidirectional radar corner reflectors in the eastern corner of the Choctawhatchee Bay . Dubbed “ Test Area D-55 ,” the Air Force would send and receive radar to these pilings ( arranged in 25 different sections ) to test the accuracy of the real time data analysis .
It Must Have Been An Odd Sight
Years passed , and the Air Force seemed to have abandoned the area . Locals began pilfering the aluminum “ bowls ” from atop the pilings to sell for scrap ( or use as odd garden ornaments ). Two Walton County locals , Andy Coleman and Freddy Bishop , even got in a bit of trouble over the reflectors .
“ Now , I had called Eglin before to get permission to remove them ,” Coleman explained . “ I was never able to speak to anyone , so we just decided we ’ d go out there to get them . Turned out the Air Force didn ’ t like that .”
After being questioned by authorities , Coleman said he was released because he could prove he had contacted the Air Force in advance . His friend , however , was not as fortunate and faced charges .
In 1993 , Eglin confirmed the site was inactive : “ Most of the reflectors are reported missing , with the pilings remaining on-site . The pilings are clearly marked on navigation charts . The pilings have not been removed due to the potential environmental impact on water quality from the creosote .”
Nowadays , the only thing those skinny , creosotetreated pilings support is the occasional double-crested cormorant , pelican , or seagull in need of a perch .
As you drive across the 331 bridge , probably assisted by the GPS on your smartphone , take a moment to appreciate the technology race that led to those decaying old pilings , and let that echo of the past be an inspiration for what ’ s possible .
The Pilings Local Spotlight Beach L i fe 77