Secret wartime projects in code-breaking, radar and ballistics produced a wealth of ideas and technologies that kick-started the development of digital computers. Alan Turing took an early lead on the theory side, along with fellow mathematicians on both sides of the Atlantic. This is the story of the people and projects that flourished in the post-war period. By 1955 the computers produced by companies such as Ferranti, English Electric, Elliott Brothers and the British Tabulating Machine Co. had begun to appear in the market-place. The Information Age was dawning. Before the market passed to the Americans, for a brief period Alan Turing and his contemporaries held centre stage. Their influence is still discernible deep down within today's hardware and software.
Alan Turing and his contemporaries
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Fantastic! This is an excellent romp through early computer history, placing Alan Turing's work in a broader context and introducing the reader to some of the significant machines and personalities that created our digital world. The myth of a lone inventor is rarely true - this book leads the reader through complex but intriguing stories of the sung and unsung heroes and machines of a pioneering computing industry. -- Dr Tilly Blyth Science Museum There can be no doubt that Alan Turing was a brilliant man who changed the course of history in countless ways, but there were many other brilliant minds involved in bringing computer science to life and ultimately into our homes. This fascinating book reminds us of the importance of their contribution. A fitting tribute to those who gave the world so much. -- Kate Russell BBC Click A practical, clearly written tour through those early years. --Erica Wagner The Times
About the Author
Chris Burton is one of the world's leading restorers of historic computers. Professor Martin Campbell-Kelly is the UK's foremost computer historian. Dr Roger Johnson is a past President of the British Computer Society. Professor Simon Lavington is a former United Nations Technical Expert. All are committee members of the Computer Conservation Society.
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Alan Turing and His Contemporaries
this is a first class book. it traces the development of stored program computers from 1945 to 1955.
for those of us who came early to the computing profession (i started with kodak in 1959) its a trip down memory lane. its an easy read. it took me less than a day to read including using some of the archaic programming languages to write programs similar to those we had to use in the early days.
this should be a school history text book, imho. i'm fed up with people thinking today that computers were invented in the 1980s, by the americans and most probably by bill gates. this book sets the record straight!
peace
annm
this is a first class book. it traces the development of stored program computers from 1945 to 1955.
for those of us who came early to the computing profession (i started with kodak in 1959) its a trip down memory lane. its an easy read. it took me less than a day to read including using some of the archaic programming languages to write programs similar to those we had to use in the early days.
this should be a school history text book, imho. i'm fed up with people thinking today that computers were invented in the 1980s, by the americans and most probably by bill gates. this book sets the record straight!
peace
annm
By S. Croft
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Catalogues in some detail early (mainly British) computers.
Many images I've not seen before and is full of technical and programming detail.
Would heartily recommend it to anyone interested in this aspect of computing history.
Many images I've not seen before and is full of technical and programming detail.
Would heartily recommend it to anyone interested in this aspect of computing history.
By Verbena
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Would recommend this book to anybody interested in the history of computing. Good time line showing Turin's activities. As the title suggests there is a lot of material about all his projects and those of his contemporaries.
By M. D. Leith
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This basically traced the types of computers, and makers/designers in the period up to about 1960. Sadly there were many omissions EMIDEC 1100/2400 and Ferranti Orion for example. I found this book 'lightweight', but perhaps for someone who wasn't there in those times it might be more interesting.
5 of 7 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
A good read for all with a general interest in the early British computer industry
4 Mar 2012
By cjiom
Format:Paperback
A good and accessible read for anyone with an interest in the subject. Well written and enjoyable. Text is quite large and easy to read, a little bit of a shame it's a paperback as I suspect many people will want to keep it on the shelf for years to come but I guess the lower price will make more people take a look and hopefully discover something of interest. If you are thinking of buying a copy do it, and I think you'll enjoy the read.
Listmania!
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