The First Computers – History & Architectures: History and Architectures (History of Computing) - Hardcover

Rojas, Raul

3.76

21 ratings by Goodreads

9780262181976: The First Computers – History & Architectures: History and Architectures (History of Computing)

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0262181975 ISBN 13: 9780262181976

Publisher: MIT Press, 2000

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This history of computing focuses not on chronology (what came first and who deserves credit for it) but on the actual architectures of the first machines that made electronic computing a practical reality. The book covers computers built in the United States, Germany, England and Japan. It makes clear that similar concepts were often pursued simultaneously and that the early researchers explored many architectures beyond the von Neumann architecture that eventually became canonical. The contributors include not only historians but also engineers and computer pioneers. An introductory chapter describes the elements of computer architecture and explains why "being first" is even less interesting for computers than for other areas of technology. The essays contain a remarkable amount of new material, even on well-known machines, and several describe reconstructions of the historic machines. These investigations are of more than simply historical interest, for architectures designed to solve specific problems in the past may suggest new approaches to similar problems in today's machines.

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Review:

" A cohesive, well-defined discussion of the architecture of early computers." -- Mary Croarken, Business History " A well-balanced and fascinating perspective on a wide range of early computing devices." -- Nathan Ensmenger, IEEE Spectrum & quot; A cohesive, well-defined discussion of the architecture of early computers.& quot; -- Mary Croarken, Business History & quot; A well-balanced and fascinating perspective on a wide range of early computing devices.& quot; -- Nathan Ensmenger, IEEE Spectrum "A cohesive, well-defined discussion of the architecture of early computers."-- Mary Croarken, "Business History" "A well-balanced and fascinating perspective on a wide range of early computing devices."-- Nathan Ensmenger, "IEEE Spectrum"

About the Author:

Ronald B. Mitchell is Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Oregon.

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