Computers: The Life Story of a TechnologyA great technological and scientific innovation of the last half of the twentieth century, the computer has revolutionized how we organize information, how we communicate with each other, and even the way we think about the human mind. Computers have eased the drudgery of such tasks as calculating sums and clerical work, making them both more bearable and more efficient, whatever the occasional frustration they carry with them. The computer has become a standard fixture in our culture, a necessity for many aspects of business, recreation, and everyday life. In this book, Eric G. Swedin and David L. Ferro offer an accessible short history of this dynamic technology, covering its central themes from ancient times to the present day. |
Contents
1 Before Computers | 1 |
2 The First Electronic Computers | 25 |
From Vacuum Tubes to Transistors | 47 |
From Integrated Circuits to Microprocessors | 65 |
Bringing the Computer into the Home | 85 |
Networking Computers Together | 111 |
7 Computers Everywhere | 131 |
Glossary | 151 |
| 155 | |
| 159 | |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
actually added allowed American Apple applications Atanasoff Babbage BASIC became become began British build built calculating called cards century changed communicate completed connected continued Corporation cost created customers decided designed developed device dominated drive early efforts electrical electronic engineers eventually example funding hackers hardware human idea important included industry Institute instructions integrated Intel Internet introduced invented Jobs John known language later lines machine manufacturers Mark mathematics mechanical memory messages microcomputer microprocessor Microsoft military million moved needed offered open source operating system organize patent personal computer problem processing puter released Roberts sell share sold success took transistors tubes turned United University users wanted Windows