Engines of the Mind: The Evolution of the Computer from Mainframes to MicroprocessorsWhen John Mauchly and Presper Eckert developed the Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC) at the University of Pennsylvania during World War II, their intention was to aid artillerymen in aiming their guns. Since then, in the past fifty years, ENIAC and its offspring have changed the way we go about both business and science. Along with the transistor, the computer has brought about transformation on a scale unmatched since the industrial revolution. Now, in a lively and evenhanded account, Joel Shurkin introduces us to the often-feuding players and the discoveries that made the computer possible-from the first models to the creation of the chip and beyond. Here is the first full account of an invention that changed the world. For this new paperback edition, Shurkin has added an epilogue and a new chapter on the latest milestones in the ongoing computer revolution. |
Contents
Introduction | 9 |
Sir Alphabet Function | 37 |
Hollerith | 66 |
Dinosaurs and FlipFlops | 93 |
Eckert and Mauchly | 117 |
ENIAC | 139 |
Von Neumann | 173 |
UNIVAC | 209 |
The First Dwarf | 248 |
Bleak House | 280 |
The Revolution | 300 |
Common terms and phrases
Aberdeen Analytical Engine army asked Atanasoff Auerbach automatic Babbage Babbage's became began Bell Labs BINAC binary Brainerd build built Bureau Burks calculations called census Charles Babbage circuits contract count counter CP/M developed device Difference Engine differential analyzer digital computer Eckert and Mauchly EDSAC EDVAC electrical electronic computer EMCC ENIAC equations eventually firm friends Gillon Goldstine Hollerith Honeywell IBM's idea invention inventor John Mauchly John Vincent Atanasoff knew later lawyers mathematician mathematics Mauchly's mechanical Microsoft million Moore School needed Neumann never Norris Northrop numbers operation paper patent Pender Penn Philadelphia Presper Eckert problem produced punch card puter Rand Remington scientific scientists Sperry Sperry Rand tables tape things thought tion told took transistors Travis turned UNIVAC University vacuum tubes wanted Watson wheels wrote