Learn, Earn & Return: My Life as a Computer Pioneer

Anderson, Harlan E.

ISBN 10: 0615305458 / ISBN 13: 9780615305455

Published by Locust Press, Redding, Connecticut, 2009

About this Item

First printing, 2009, stated; full number line. Inscribed, signed, and dated by the author on a "Learn, Earn & Return" bookplate on the front endpaper: "To F-- and A-- / With happy memories of our good times in Florida / Andy / December 2009." Harlan "Andy" Anderson was a cofounder of Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) in 1957 and was with the company until leaving in 1966 after falling out with cofounder Ken Olsen. The book is unmarked; spine slant; one corner, tail of spine bumped. The dust jacket is not price-clipped (original price $30.00); edgewear; sections of the orange background color on the front panel and spine have faded to pink; Brodart protected.

Seller Inventory # 007870

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Learn, Earn & Return: My Life as a Computer Pioneer
• Publisher: Locust Press, Redding, Connecticut
• Publication Date: 2009
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0615305458
• ISBN 13: 9780615305455
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Paul Hoffman
• Edition: First Edition
• Condition: Very Good +
• Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good
• Signed: Signed by Author(s)

About this title

Synopsis

This is the life story of Harlan E. Anderson (a computer pioneer), who in 1950 as a student at the Univeristy of Illinois was writing computer programs for a very early computer ( the ILLIAC) that was under construction at the time. After graduation he joined M.I.T. as a junior computer engineer working on the largest computer network system ever built for years to come. The Semi Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE System) was deployed across North America and was the information backbone of the defense of North America for over twenty years of the Cold War. It pioneered man machine working together in real time. He then co-founded Digital Equipment Corporation, that brought these M.I.T. techniques to the commercial computer world using transistors to replace vacuum tubes, resulting in a significant reduction in the size and cost of computers. The PDP-1 (Programmed Data Processor) the company's first computer, revolutionized the way computers were used and paved the way for others to create the Personal Computer. Digital becamer known as the Mini Computer company. After eight years Anderson was forced out of the company by his co-founder and he became a venture capitalist and philanthropist. For three years in the late 60's he was the Science Advisor at Time, Inc exploring the future of the printed word. At its peak Digital became the second largest computer company in the world after IBM. It was also known as the first home run of venture capital, having created a spectacular increase in the value of the investment company (American Research and Development Corporation) that backed the founding of Digital Equipment Corporation. After the company started a serious decline inf the 90's his co-founder was fired by the Board of Directors and the company ultimatly failed. This is an exciting and rewarding memoir.