Computing: A Concise History

by Paul E. Ceruzzi

Overview

Discover the history of computing through 4 major threads of development in this compact, accessible history covering punch cards, Silicon Valley, smartphones, and much more.

In an accessible style, computer historian Paul Ceruzzi offers a broad though detailed history of computing, from the first use of the word “digital” in 1942 to the development of punch cards and the first general purpose computer, to the internet, Silicon Valley, and smartphones and social networking.

Ceruzzi identifies 4 major threads that run throughout all of computing’s technological development:

• Digitization: the coding of information, computation, and control in binary form
• The convergence of multiple streams of techniques, devices, and machines
• The steady advance of electronic technology, as characterized famously by “Moore's Law”
• Human-machine interface

The history of computing could be told as the story of hardware and software, or the story of the Internet, or the story of “smart” hand-held devices. In this concise and accessible account of the invention and development of digital technology, Ceruzzi offers a general and more useful perspective for students of computer science and history.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780262517676
Publisher:	MIT Press
Publication date:	06/15/2012
Series:	The MIT Press Essential Knowledge series
Pages:	216
Sales rank:	456,142
Product dimensions:	4.90(w) x 6.90(h) x 0.80(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Paul E. Ceruzzi is Curator at the National Air and Space Museum at the Smithsonian Institution. He is the author of Computing: A Concise History, A History of Modern Computing, and Internet Alley: High Technology in Tysons Corner, 1945–2005, all published by the MIT Press, and other books.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"It's a delightful small book, very nicely produced and with illustrations, perfect for a journey or to slip in a pocket for commuting. It's also, in 150 pages, a super overview of the history of this utterly transformational technology…"—Diane Coyle,The Enlightened Economist

The MIT Press

"For those interested in the fundamentals of computer history, Computing: A Concise History navigates a complex world with in-depth, authoritative coverage in terms accessible to the non-expert."—John F. Barber, Leonardo Reviews

The MIT Press

Editorial Reviews

It’s a delightful small book, very nicely produced and with illustrations, perfect for a journey or to slip in a pocket for commuting. It’s also, in 150 pages, a super overview of the history of this utterly transformational technology…”
—Diane Coyle, The Enlightened Economist

“For those interested in the fundamentals of computer history, Computing: A Concise History navigates a complex world with in-depth, authoritative coverage in terms accessible to the non-expert.”
—John F. Barber, Leonardo Reviews

From the Publisher

For those interested in the fundamentals of computer history, Computing: A Concise History navigates a complex world with in-depth, authoritative coverage in terms accessible to the non-expert.

—John F. Barber, Leonardo Reviews

Reviews

For those interested in the fundamentals of computer history, Computing: A Concise History navigates a complex world with in-depth, authoritative coverage in terms accessible to the non-expert.

Leonardo Reviews - John F. Barber

It's a delightful small book, very nicely produced and with illustrations, perfect for a journey or to slip in a pocket for commuting. It's also, in 150 pages, a super overview of the history of this utterly transformational technology…

The Enlightened Economist - Diane Coyle

Ceruzzi (curator, National Air & Space Museum; A History of Modern Computing, Internet Alley: High Technology in Tyson's Corner, 1945–2005) has compiled a brief and readable history of computing and emerging technology. His emphasis is on transformative breakthroughs, beginning with the creation of the first electronic computing devices and continuing with stored programs, integrated circuits, microprocessors, the Internet, and social networking. Throughout his historical narrative, he highlights four themes: the digital paradigm, convergence, solid-state electronics, and the human-machine interface. This combination of approaches makes for a thoughtful, reflective study of the subject and helps to sweep away unnecessary detail and enable broad thinking on the subject. Similar recent, complementary historical overviews include Gerard O'Regan's A Brief History of Computing and Georges Ifrah's more comprehensive The Universal History of Computing: From the Abacus to the Quantum Computer. VERDICT Recommended for both the practicing and the casual computer scientist, as well as anyone interested in technology and the evolution of ideas.—Elizabeth Brown, Binghamton Univ. Libs., NY

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