The Computer: A Brief History of the Machine That Changed the World

by Eric G. Swedin, David L. Ferro

Computers dominate the world we live in, and this book describes how we got here. The Computer: A Brief History of the Machine That Changed the World covers topics from early efforts at mathematical computation back in ancient times, such as the abacus and the Antikythera device, through Babbage's Difference Engine and the Hollerith Tabulating Machines of the 19th century, to the eventual invention of the modern computer during World War II and its aftermath. The scope of the text reaches into the modern day, with chapters on social media and the influence of computers and technology on recent elections.

The information in this book, perfect for readers new to the topic or those looking to delve into the history of computers in greater detail, can be accessed both chronologically and topically. With chapters focusing on larger time periods as well as shorter subsections covering specific people and topics, this book is designed to make the history of computing as approachable as possible.

Genres: History

307 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2022

Reviews

[Rob Roy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This subject is dry, and thus so is the history. Yet, it is an excellent history, going into the details of the computer revolution. Having lived through much of this, I was reminded of “how we did it” quite often. If you are interested in the information revolution, then read this history as it forms the base of today.