The Computer Boys Take Over (History of Computing) [Kindle Edition]

Nathan Ensmenger (Author)

Book Description

The contentious history of the computer programmers who developed the software that made the computer revolution possible.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...Ensmenger has crafted an orderly and well organized argument that the dynamics of managing computer firms have often been as complex as the subject matter itself... In this important way, The Computer Boys Take Over is learned, well-documented with citations, and often humorous -- with numerous period cartoons and company advertisements that nicely support the text. Such a study of computing's early and arguably most important years, is long overdue." -- High Tech History blog

"The Computer Boys Take Over rewrites the history of computing by recounting the development of software in terms of labor, gender, and professionalization. Ensmenger meets the long-standing challenge to reform computer history by employing themes of vital interest to the general history of science and technology." Ronald Kline, Bovay Professor in History and Ethics of Engineering, Cornell University

"The Computer Boys Take Over shows how computer programmers struggled for professional legitimacy and organizational recognition from the early days of ENIAC through the $300 billion Y2K crisis. Ensmenger's descriptions of 'computer science' and 'software engineering,' as well as his portraits of Maurice Wilkes, Alan Turing, John Backus, Edsger Dijkstra, Fred Brooks, and other pioneers, give a compelling introduction to the field." Thomas J. Misa, director of the Charles Babbage Institute, University of Minnesota

"This book provides the most holistic approach to the history of the development of programming and computer systems so far written. By embedding this history in a sociological and political context, Professor Ensmenger has added hugely to our understanding of how the world of computing and its work practices came to be." Martin Campbell-Kelly, Professor of Computer Science, Warwick University

From the Author

The Computer Boys Take Over represents attempt to expand the history of computing to include not just important "firsts" and pioneering inventors, but to the many thousands of anonymous computer programmers, systems analysts, and other technical professionals. The goal was to produce a social and labor history of the computer revolution focused on people rather than machines.



There is a lot more of this history to be told. On the website that corresponds to this book, theComputerBoys.com, I am continuing to develop this history, and will post new material, primary sources, and links to the emerging literature.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• File Size: 1895 KB
• Print Length: 331 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0262050935
• Publisher: The MIT Press (January 6, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B006UHII4C
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Not Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #627,540 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

More About the Author

Nathan Ensmenger is an assistant professor in the History and Sociology of Science department. He also teaches courses on engineering ethics and professionalism in the School of Engineering and Applied Science.

His current research interests are aimed at reintegrating the history of the "information revolution'' -- very broadly defined to encompass a wide range of 19th and 20th century scientific, technological and social developments -- into mainstream American social and cultural history.

In addition to his work on the social and cultural history of software and software workers, he has studied the disciplinary history of artificial intelligence and artificial life; the formation of a distinctive computing subculture and programming "aesthetic;'' and the crucial and often misunderstood role of women in computing. He has also developed and taught courses on the computer and internet "revolutions,'' and on the relationship between technological innovation and social change.