Howard Aiken: Portrait of a Computer Pioneer
by I. Bernard Cohen
On This Page
Description
"Howard Hathaway Aiken (1900-1973) was a major figure of the early digital era. He is best known for his first machine, the IBM Automatic Sequence Controlled Calculator or Harvard Mark I, conceived in 1937 and put into operation in 1944. But he also made significant contributions to the development of applications for the new machines and to the creation of a university curriculum for computer science." "This biography of Aiken, by a major historian of science who was also a colleague of show more Aiken's at Harvard, offers a clear and often entertaining introduction to Aiken and his times."--Jacket. show lessTags
Recommendations
Member Reviews
Biography focusing on Aiken's Harvard tenure and in particular the development of the Harvard Mark I. Aiken comes off as a total jerk, usual story of talent getting away with rude behavior. I have to say after reading this book, the IBM crew of Lake, Hamilton, et al, should probably be given status as co-inventors. Light on technical detail, there is one chapter that has essentially the same info as Cohen's chapter in The First Computers, also from MIT Press.
Members
- Recently Added By
Author Information
47+ Works 1,186 Members
Born in Far Rockaway, New York, I. Bernard Cohen earned degrees from Harvard University. He holds the distinction of being the first person in the United States to earn a Ph.D. in the history of science. Later, Cohen established the History of Science Department at Harvard. Cohen has received many fellowships and has won the George Sarton Medal, show more awarded by the History of Science Society. Cohen is an author and editor, known for his books about Sir Isaac Newton and Benjamin Franklin. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Series
Belongs to Publisher Series
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Howard Aiken: Portrait of a Computer Pioneer
Classifications
- Genres
- Nonfiction, Technology, History, Biography & Memoir, General Nonfiction, Science & Nature
- DDC/MDS
- 004.092 — Computer science, information & general works Computer science, knowledge & systems Computer science standard subdivisions History, geographic treatment, biography Biography
- LCC
- QA76.2 .A35 .C65 — Science Mathematics Mathematics Instruments and machines Calculating machines
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 25
- Popularity
- 1,076,876
- Reviews
- 1
- Rating
- (4.00)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 4
- ASINs
- 1
