<span class="SFPTagline"> From SCIFIPEDIA </span>

The HAL 9000 was an artificial intelligence and one of the principal characters in Arthur C. Clarke's works revolving around 2001: A Space Odyssey, including the movie collaboration with Stanley Kubrick, 2001: A Space Odyssey (film).

The HAL 9000 computer's name (refered to simply as "HAL" by those who interacted with "him") comes from "Heuristically programmed ALgorithmic computer). Though many have asserted that the name HAL is derived from a Caesar cipher of "IBM", Clarke has denied this, going so far as to have another important character (HAL's creator, Dr. Chandra) state unequivocally in 2010: Odyssey Two , ". . . by now, any idiot should know that 'HAL' stands for Heuristic ALgorithm."

According to the stories, HAL was designed/created by Dr. Chandra and constructed at the H.A.L. Plant in Urbana, Illinois (USA). In Clarke's novel, he became operational on January 12, 1997, whereas in the movie, he became operational on January 12, 1992.

HAL plays a central part in 2001 and is a significant character in the sequels (novels and where applicable, movies) 2010: Odyssey Two, 2061: Odyssey Three and 3001:The Final Odyssey.

In the movies, the voice of HAL (that of Canadian actor Douglas Rain) was as memorable as his red glowing "eye" panel (interactive lens).