Computer: A History of the Information Machine traces the history of the computer and shows how business and government were the first to explore its unlimited, information-processing potential. Old-fashioned entrepreneurship combined with scientific know-how inspired now famous computer engineers to create the technology that became IBM. Wartime needs drove the giant ENIAC, the first fully electronic computer. Later, the PC enabled modes of computing that liberated people from room-sized, mainframe computers.
This third edition provides updated analysis on software and computer networking, including new material on the programming profession, social networking, and mobile computing. It expands its focus on the IT industry with fresh discussion on the rise of Google and Facebook as well as how powerful applications are changing the way we work, consume, learn, and socialize. Computer is an insightful look at the pace of technological advancement and the seamless way computers are integrated into the modern world. Through comprehensive history and accessible writing, Computer is perfect for courses on computer history, technology history, and information and society, as well as a range of courses in the fields of computer science, communications, sociology, and management.
Computer: A History Of The Information Machine (Sloan Technology)
We live in a society where technology is a given, to the point where it's hard to remember the days before smartphones, Yelp, and Twitter. It's amazing how computers have gone from punch cards to desktops to social media. For those keen on learning more about how we got where we are today, we've compiled this list of the 10 best books about computer history.
#4 on our list is "The Innovators: How a Group of Hackers, Geniuses, and Geeks Created the Digital Revolution." Walter Isaacson, author of popular biographies on figures like Leonardo da Vinci and Steve Jobs, traces the history of computer technology by examining the personalities and collaborations that drove new discoveries, and why some of those partnerships succeeded and some didn't.
Our #8 selection is "Computers: The Life Story of a Technology." Since we take the monitors on our desks for granted, it's sometimes tough to wrap our heads around the larger idea of exactly what makes something a computer. This volume provides a succinct overview of technology, moving from simple machines to the tablets and smartphones we now enjoy.
Rounding out the list at #10 is "Dark Territory: The Secret History of Cyber War." This volume explores a very specific aspect of computer history, the role of technology in war. Author Fred Kaplan provides an overview of how cyber warfare has developed over the past several decades, and what role computer security may play in conflicts of the future. It may surprise some readers to learn how quickly information warfare became a threat, and how vulnerable we may be now.
Natural language processing is a field of machine learning in which machines learn to understand natural language as spoken and written by humans, instead of the data and numbers normally used to program computers. This allows machines to recognize language, understand it, and respond to it, as well as create new text and translate between languages. Natural language processing enables familiar technology like chatbots and digital assistants like Siri or Alexa.
While machine learning is fueling technology that can help workers or open new possibilities for businesses, there are several things business leaders should know about machine learning and its limits.
Praise for Prior Editions: "Terrific! This is the best general history of computing yet written, by two of the field's most prominent historians. Computer is comprehensive, engaging, and a pleasure to read. Aspray and Campbell-Kelley paint the big picture of the information revolution that is affecting all of our lives." --David A. Mindell, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and author of Between Human and Machine: Feedback, Control, and Computing Before Cybernetics"This book is a splendid account of the history of computing machines. From Jacquard's punch card loom to today's Dick Tracy-like Internet connectors, the book provides a wealth of fascinating historical and technological information, especially for first-time readers. Highly recommended." --Choice "A welcome update to the classic text on the history of the computer--sure to extend its relevance to a new generation of students and scholars." --David Mindell, MIT, author of Digital Apollo: Human and Machine in Spaceflight "This authoritative yet accessible history of computing improves with each edition. This latest version provides enhanced coverage of recent developments such as the Internet, while sharpening and deepening its treatment of earlier events. A balanced, reliable account that holds interest for specialists and provides a ready entry into the topic for students, professionals, and general readers." --Steven W. Usselman, Georgia Institute of TechnologyThis book is a splendid account of the history of computing machines. From Jacquard's punch card loom to today's Dick Tracy-like Internet connectors, the book provides a wealth of fascinating historical and technological information, especially for first-time readers. Highly recommended. Choice "A welcome update to the classic text on the history of the computersure to extend its relevance to a new generation of students and scholars." David Mindell, MIT, author of Digital Apollo: Human and Machine in Spaceflight "This authoritative yet accessible history of computing improves with each edition. This latest version provides enhanced coverage of recent developments such as the Internet, while sharpening and deepening its treatment of earlier events. A balanced, reliable account that holds interest for specialists and provides a ready entry into the topic for students, professionals, and general readers." Steven W. Usselman, Georgia Institute of Technology ""A welcome update to the classic text on the history of the computer--sure to extend its relevance to a new generation of students and scholars."--David Mindell, MIT, author of "Digital Apollo: Human and Machine in Spaceflight" "This authoritative yet accessible history of computing improves with each edition. This latest version provides enhanced coverage of recent developments such as the Internet, while sharpening and deepening its treatment of earlier events. A balanced, reliable account that holds interest for specialists and provides a ready entry into the topic for students, professionals, and general readers."--Steven W. Usselman, Georgia Institute of Technology "I strongly recommend to you the third edition of "Computer"; it is simultaneously a thorough, accurate, and highly readable history of the evolution of the computer and its impact on all aspects of our society. I am an old guy, having written my first computer program over 50 years ago, and I have personally known many of the people mentioned in the book so I can attest to the accuracy of the events described."--Bill Wulf, University of Virginia Praise for Prior Editions: "Terrific! This is the best general history of computing yet written, by two of the field's most prominent historians. "Computer" is comprehensive, engaging, and a pleasure to read. Aspray and Campbell-Kelley paint the big picture of the information revolution that is affecting all of our lives."--David A. Mindell, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and author of "Between Human and Machine: Feedback, Control, and Computing Before Cybernetics" "Starting back when computers were people, computer historians Campbell-Kelly and Asprey meticulously trace the forces and personalities that gave birth to the computer age. From Babbage's failed analytical engine to mechanical calculators, IBM's room-sized mainframes, minis, Microsoft, and the Internet, their in-depth narrative gives usrPraise for Prior Editions: Terrific! This is the best general history of computing yet written, by two of the field's most prominent historians. "Computer" is comprehensive, engaging, and a pleasure to read. Aspray and Campbell-Kelley paint the big picture of the information revolution that is affecting all of our lives.-- David A. Mindell, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and author of "Between Human and Machine: Feedback, Control, and Computing Before Cybernetics"Starting back when computers were people, computer historians Campbell-Kelly and Asprey meticulously trace the forces and personalities that gave birth to the computer age. From Babbage's failed analytical engine to mechanical calculators, IBM's room-sized mainframes, minis, Microsoft, and the Internet, their in-depth narrative gives us a peek inside the back rooms of early computer companies and into the lives of industry pioneers, both sung and unsung.-- Thomas M. Georges, Author of "Digital Soul"
His current research interests are aimed at reintegrating the history of the "information revolution'' -- very broadly defined to encompass a wide range of 19th and 20th century scientific, technological and social developments -- into mainstream American social and cultural history.
The Charles Babbage Institute conducts major research projects in the history and social study of computing, information, and archival theory. CBI holds major symposiums and other events and advises and assists to advance the research of scholars worldwide. Many of our research projects are conducted as part of sponsored research from public and private foundations and organizations such as the National Science Foundation (NSF), DARPA, the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, the Department of Energy (DOE), the National Historic Records and Publications Commission, and the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM).
This is an area of research and ongoing oral history project that Yost is conducting for the Association for Computing Machinery. Yost has interviews such HCI pioneers as Don Norman, Stuart Card, and Susan Dray. He plans to publish from this research and is particularly interested in intersections and divergences in the distinct but overlapping fields of HCI and artificial intelligence/machine learning. 2ff7e9595c
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