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The History of the Computer: People, Inventions, and Technology that Changed Our World
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About The History Of The
Product Description A strikingly illustrated overview of the computing machines that have changed our world—from the abacus to the smartphone—and the people who made them, by the New York Times bestselling author and illustrator of Women in Science.Computers are everywhere and have impacted our lives in so many ways. But who created them, and why? How have they transformed the way that we interact with our surroundings and each other?Packed with accessible information, fun facts, and discussion starters, this charming and art-filled book takes you from the ancient world to the modern day, focusing on important inventions, from the earliest known counting systems to the sophisticated algorithms behind AI. The History of the Computer also profiles a diverse range of key players and creators—from An Wang and Margaret Hamilton to Steve Jobs and Sir Tim Berners-Lee—and illuminates their goals, their intentions, and the impact of their inventions on our everyday lives. This entertaining and educational journey will help you understand our most important machines and how we can use them to enhance the way we live. You’ll never look at your phone the same way again! About the Author Rachel Ignotofsky is a New York Times bestselling author, illustrator, and designer. Rachel and her work have been featured in many print and online media outlets such as the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Scientific American, Science Friday, Brain Pickings, and more. She is the author of Women in Science, Women in Sports, Women in Art, I Love Science, and The Wondrous Workings of Planet Earth. Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. Introduction“An Electronic Brain!” That’s what a reporter on live national television called the UNIVAC—right before it performed the task of predicting the results of the 1952 presidential election. It was a risky publicity stunt, and no one, not even the engineers who had constructed this computer, knew what it would do. Beamed into homes nationwide on black-and-white TVs, this was the first time that the public had seen a computer in action. The computers that came before were gigantic, noisy machines, built during World War II and hidden away in top-secret laboratories. The UNIVAC (short for UNIVersal Automatic Computer) was new—built for offices instead of battle—and would now have to prove itself. The American public watched the UNIVAC’s giant blinking console and rows of spinning magnetic tape while it did its calculations. Contrary to the polls, UNIVAC called a landslide victory for Dwight D. Eisenhower. To everyone’s surprise, the UNIVAC was correct! It was sensational! The American audience was enthralled—it was sci-fi in real life! This TV event propelled computers into pop culture and the public imagination. Computers have come a long way since 1952! We now have access to the entire sum of human knowledge with devices that fit in the palms of our hands. The inventions that have gotten us to this point are part of a technological journey that starts as far back as the Stone Age. Before we dive into the history of computers, let’s define what a computer is.A computer is a machine that stores, retrieves, and processes data by following a set of instructions. At its core, a computer is a tool that expands the capacity of the human mind. We are all familiar with the idea that tools enhance our physical abilities to do more work—a hammer helps our arm strike a nail. A computer is a tool that enhances our mental abilities. Computers help us solve complicated math equations, store and sort vast libraries of information, and even help us find our new favorite restaurant! The internet, combined with the creation of the World Wide Web in 1990, turned computers into media machines. The web is an integral part of the global economy and, for many, an extension of a personal identity. Computers have become so integrated into our lives that, in 2011, the United Nations declared access
