IBM'S EARLY COMPUTERS

Bashe, Charles; Lyle R. Johnson; John H. Palmer; and Emerson W. Pugh.

ISBN 10: 0262022257 / ISBN 13: 9780262022255

Published by The MIT Press (c. 1986), Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1986

Part of the MIT Press Series in The History of Computing. Large octavo, blue cloth covers. xviii [2] 716 [1] pages. Extensive notes, and index. Includes black and white photo reproductions. Dust jacket has closed tear at head of spine, very light edge wear, 021210B. Seller Inventory # 000018154

Synopsis:

In describing the technical experiences of one company from the beginning of the computer era, this book unfolds the challenges that IBM's research and development laboratories faced, the technological paths they chose, and how these choices affected the company and the computer industry. It chronicles the transformation of IBM into a computer company in a remarkably few years, discussing projects that ended in frustration as well as the more successful ones, and providing a sense of the atmosphere, the people, and the decision-making processes involved during the company's rapid technological transformation.

IBM's Early Computers is a unique contribution to the modern history of computers. It focuses on engineering alternatives rather than business and general management considerations and reveals the significance of imaginative solutions to problems in design and technology, from initial experiments with electronics in digital machines to the threshold of the System 360 era. This fair and balanced account of IBM's role in shaping today's electronic revolution identifies the individuals (both inside and outside the company) whose pioneering work influenced developments at IBM.

The book's fourteen chapters briefly survey the card machine era and then cover electronic calculation, the magnetic drum calculator, the Defense Calculator and other first-generation products, ferrite core memories, magnetic tape, and disk storage development, programming, transistors, "Project Stretch" (which involved disappointments but led to one of IBM's greatest successes) high-speed printers, research, and new-product-line considerations.

IBM's Early Computers is included in the History of Computing Series, edited by I. Bernard Cohen and William Aspray.

About the Author: Lyle R. Johnson is a senior member of the staff at IBM's Thomas J. Watson Research Center.

Bibliographic Details

Title: IBM'S EARLY COMPUTERS
Publisher: The MIT Press (c. 1986), Cambridge, Massachusetts
Publication Date: 1986
Binding: hardcover
Condition: Fine
Dust Jacket Condition: very good