On: Megaprocessor – A micro-processor built large (201...

[Koshkin]

A famous example of a modular design is IBM's Solid Logic Technology that was used in their System/360:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_Solid_Logic_Technology

[pavlov → Koshkin]

These modules seem to be the primary influence on sci-fi movie computer design, starting with HAL in "2001".

When sci-fi writers need to create some plot tension around getting a computer either up and running or down and disarmed, the characters will inevitably be plugging/unplugging colorful modules at some point.