Computers and over one million other books are available for Amazon Kindle. Learn more


or
Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering.
or
Amazon Prime Free Trial required. Sign up when you check out. Learn More
Kindle Edition
 
   
More Buying Choices
Have one to sell? Sell yours here
Computers: The Life Story of a Technology (Greenwood Technographies)
 
 
Start reading Computers on your Kindle in under a minute.

Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here, or download a FREE Kindle Reading App.

Computers: The Life Story of a Technology (Greenwood Technographies) [Hardcover]

Eric G. Swedin (Author), David L. Ferro (Author)
4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)

Price: $46.95 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. Details
  Special Offers Available
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
In Stock.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.
Only 1 left in stock--order soon (more on the way).
Want it delivered Friday, February 3? Choose One-Day Shipping at checkout. Details
Textbook Student FREE Two-Day Shipping for students on millions of items. Learn more

Formats

Amazon Price New from Used from
Kindle Edition $14.08  
Hardcover $46.95  
Paperback $15.64  

Book Description

Greenwood Technographies April 30, 2005

The computer is the great technological and scientific innovation of the last half of the twentieth century. It has revolutionized how we organize information, how we communicate with each other, and even the way that we think about the human mind. Computers have eased the drudgery of such tasks as calculating sums and clerical work, making them both more bearable and more efficient. The computer has become ubiquitous in many aspects of business, recreation, and everyday life, and the trend is that they are becoming both more powerful and easier to use. Computers: The Life Story of a Technology provides an accessible overview of this ever changing technology, giving students and lay readers an understanding of the complete scope of its history from ancient times to the present day.

The volume includes a glossary of terms, a timeline of important events, and a selected bibliography of useful resources for further information.


Special Offers and Product Promotions

  • Buy $50 in qualifying physical textbooks, get $5 in Amazon MP3 Credit. Here's how (restrictions apply)


Editorial Reviews

Review

?Swedin and Ferro provide a compelling history of computer technology. Beginning with mathematical and technical innovations ranging from the abacus to the Internet and beyond, they take the reader on a fascinating journey through the inventions that lead to the IBM and Cray supercomputers, as well as the desktop personal computer and PDAs. A time line from 35,000 BCE to 2003 CE offers the reader a broad overview of mathematics and inventions such as the abacus, printing press, typewriter, and television, which were precursors to the computer. This book will be most useful for readers desiring to learn about computer history and the people who developed the inventions leading to the current level of computer technology. A fascinating, enjoyable book. Highly recommended. All levels.?-Choice

Book Description

Makes the life history of the computer accessible to students and the lay reader.


Product Details

  • Hardcover: 192 pages
  • Publisher: Greenwood (April 30, 2005)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0313331499
  • ISBN-13: 978-0313331497
  • Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 0.7 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,567,960 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Authors

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

 

Customer Reviews

3 Reviews
5 star:
 (2)
4 star:
 (1)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.7 out of 5 stars (3 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars a brief, introductory history, November 4, 2006
This review is from: Computers: The Life Story of a Technology (Greenwood Technographies) (Hardcover)
Basically a book written for someone knowing little about computers. It teaches both the history of computing and also the key ideas present in today's computers. So the authors describe the fumbling early starts. Exemplified by Babbage and Lovelace and the Difference Engine. Over a century ahead of their time, as the hardware was inadequate.

But in World War 2 came the von Neumann architecture, still the basis of most current computers. And then the solid state transistor at Bell Labs in 1948. Progress seemed so slow, in retrospect. But then the narrative speeds up, as Moore's Law took effect in the late 60s.

Thus, the book shows the rise of the personal computer in the 80s, and then the Web in the 90s. Searing changes that helped shape today's world.

Swedin's coverage has no surprises to a reader already in this field. But he has done his homework. It's accurate and covers all the main events and persons.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No


3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars a history that reads like a good thriller, May 11, 2005
By 
This review is from: Computers: The Life Story of a Technology (Greenwood Technographies) (Hardcover)
Swedin and Ferro have their work cut out for them, as the story of computer technology, although relatively brief, is complex, involving not merely technology, but also politics, personalities and the clash of cultures from various engineering disciplines. They succeed wonderfully at sorting out this tangle and laying a clean--and, one must note--astonishingly dramatic narrative. From Babbage's "Engine," to ENIAC to 'total information awarenesss,' it's a fascinating story that you'll read and *re*read, and it's a book you'll keep in a prominent place on the shelf.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No


3 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Computers: The Life Story of a Technology, November 25, 2008
By 
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
Recently I finished a story on pop culture and technology. I discussed how the transitor became lineage for the present day computer chip. I am fascinated with technology and history which made me love reading this book. The book presents a timeline for computer technology and yes, I admit, I am a computer geek who reminisce in technology of the past. I sit back remembering when I won my very first transitor radio and I smile thinking about my old 286 computer chip. The book was an interesting read because it took me on a trip to my past. I still marval at how technology changes and how much I use it today.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Only search this product's reviews



Inside This Book (learn more)
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
clone makers, magnetic core memory, difference engine, open source products, differential analyzer, enigma machines
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
United States, World War, Sperry Rand, Bletchley Park, Moore School, The First Electronic Computers, Computers Everywhere, The Third Generation, University of Minnesota, Cold War, Iowa State, Fairchild Semiconductor, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Remington Rand, Courtesy of the Charles Babbage Institute, Harvard Mark, Manchester University, Air Force, General Electric, Soviet Union, Stanford University, Alan Turing, Big Blue, Cap'n Crunch, Census Bureau
New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats
Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Search Inside This Book:





Suggested Tags from Similar Products

 (What's this?)
Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product).
 

Your tags: Add your first tag
 

Customer Discussions

This product's forum
Discussion Replies Latest Post
No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 


Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
Search all Amazon discussions
   
Related forums





Look for Similar Items by Category


Look for Similar Items by Subject