Autorzy | |
Wydawnictwo | Springer, Berlin |
Data wydania | |
Liczba stron | 243 |
Forma publikacji | książka w miękkiej oprawie |
Język | angielski |
ISBN | 9781447174103 |
Kategorie | Technologia informacyjna i komputerowa |
Although it is popularly assumed that the history of computing before the second half of the 20th century was unimportant, in fact the Industrial Revolution was made possible and even sustained by a parallel revolution in computing technology. An examination and historiographical assessment of key developments helps to show how the era of modern electronic computing proceeded from a continual computing revolution that had arisen during the mechanical and the electrical ages.
This unique volume introduces the history of computing during the "first" (steam) and "second" (electricity) segments of the Industrial Revolution, revealing how this history was pivotal to the emergence of electronic computing and what many historians see as signifying a shift to a post-industrial society. It delves into critical developments before the electronic era, focusing on those of the mechanical era (from the emergence of the steam engine to that of the electric power network) and the electrical era (from the emergence of the electric power network to that of electronic computing). In so doing, it provides due attention to the demarcations between-and associated classifications of-artifacts for calculation during these respective eras. In turn, it emphasizes the history of comparisons between these artifacts.Topics and Features:
"In this fascinating, original work, Tympas indispensably intertwines the histories of analog and digital computing, showing them to be inseparable from the evolution of social and economic conditions. " Prof. David Mindell, MIT
Calculation and Computation in the Pre-electronic Era: The Mechanical and Electrical Ages
Introduction
The Delights of the Slide Rule
Lighting Calculations Lightened
Like the Poor, the Harmonics Will Always Be With Us
The Inner Satisfaction That Comes With Each Use of the Alignment Chart
The Appearance of a Neatly Finished Box
Conclusion