A History of Modern Computing
by Paul E. Ceruzzi
On This Page
Description
This book covers modern computing from the development of the first electronic digital computer through the dot-com crash. The author concentrates on five key moments of transition: the transformation of the computer in the late 1940s from a specialized scientific instrument to a commercial product; the emergence of small systems in the late 1960s; the beginning of personal computing in the 1970s; the spread of networking after 1985; and, in a chapter written for this edition, the period show more 1995-2001. The new material focuses on the Microsoft antitrust suit, the rise and fall of the dot-coms, and the advent of open source software, particularly Linux. Within the chronological narrative, the book traces several overlapping threads: the evolution of the computer's internal design; the effect of economic trends and the Cold War; the long-term role of IBM as a player and as a target for upstart entrepreneurs; the growth of software from a hidden element to a major character in the story of computing; and the recurring issue of the place of information and computing in a democratic society. The focus is on the United States (though Europe and Japan enter the story at crucial points), on computing per se rather than on applications such as artificial intelligence, and on systems that were sold commercially and installed in quantities. show lessTags
Recommendations
Member Reviews
I read the 1st edition which covers from approximately 1945 through 1995, from the ENIAC to Mosaic. Follows the history of computing in the United States along mainly commercial and military lines as opposed to academic. Nice coverage of some of the wider history of the first generation of personal computers such as the Altair. Developments are put into their social context. There some interesting sections sprinkled throughout highlighting developments which were ahead of their time, but floundered for some reason, often poor marketing or lack of vision.
A thorough if somewhat dry telling of the history of computing from the '40s through the mid-'90s.
Excellent read, very useful book.
Ratings
Members
- Recently Added By
Lists
Works cited in Palimpsest: A History of the Written Word by Matthew Battles
79 works; 2 members
Author Information
7 Works 639 Members
Paul E. Ceruzzi is Curator of Aerospace Electronics and Computing at the National Air and Space Museum.
Awards and Honors
Series
Belongs to Publisher Series
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- A History of Modern Computing
Classifications
- Genres
- Technology, Nonfiction, History, General Nonfiction, Science & Nature
- DDC/MDS
- 004.09 — Computer science, information & general works Computer science, knowledge & systems Computer science standard subdivisions History, geographic treatment, biography
- LCC
- QA76.17 .C47 — Science Mathematics Mathematics Instruments and machines Calculating machines Electronic computers. Computer science
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 346
- Popularity
- 90,958
- Reviews
- 3
- Rating
- (3.63)
- Languages
- English, German, Greek, Italian
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 11
- ASINs
- 3
