A History of Computing Technology,9780818677397

A History of Computing Technology

by
Edition: 2nd
ISBN13: 9780818677397
ISBN10: 0818677392
Format: Paperback
Pub. Date: 1997-04-10
Publisher(s): Wiley-IEEE Computer Society Pr
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Summary

This second edition of the popular reference and textbook outlines the historical developments in computing technology. The book describes historical aspects of calculation and concentrates on the physical devices used to aid people in their attempts at automating the arithmetic process.A History of Computing Technology highlights the major advances in arithmetic from the beginning of counting, through the three most important developments in the subject: the invention of the zero, logarithms, and the electronic computer. It provides you with an understanding of how these ideas developed and why the latest tools are in their current forms. In addition, it tells many of the interesting stories about both the machines and the scientists who produced them. It focuses on the extraordinary accomplishments of those computer pioneers whose work will stand as proof of their genius and hard work.

Author Biography

Michael R. Williams is the author of A History of Computing Technology, 2nd Edition, published by Wiley.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: In the Beginning
1(45)
1.1 Numeration
1(5)
1.2 Written Number Systems
6(3)
1.2.1 The Additive Number System
7(1)
1.2.2 The Positional System
8(1)
1.3 The Egyptians
9(5)
1.4 The Greeks
14(5)
1.5 The European Number System
19(8)
1.6 The Far East
27(5)
1.7 Other Forms of Notation
32(10)
1.7.1 Knotted Cords for Record Keeping
33(5)
1.7.2 Tally Sticks
38(3)
1.7.3 Other Methods of Numerical Notation
41(1)
Further Reading
42(2)
Endnotes for Chapter 1
44(2)
Chapter 2: Early Aids to Calculation
46(72)
2.1 Introduction
46(1)
2.2 Finger Reckoning
47(6)
2.3 The Abacus
53(13)
2.4 The Quadrant
66(8)
2.5 Two Legged Instruments
74(9)
2.5.1 The Proportional Compass
75(1)
2.5.2 The Sector
76(7)
2.6 Napier's Bones
83(13)
2.6.1 Napier and His Bones
83(6)
2.6.2 Gaspard Schott and Athanasius Kircher
89(4)
2.6.3 Early Versions of Napier's Bones
93(1)
2.6.4 Genaille-Lucas Rulers
93(3)
2.7 Logarithms
96(9)
2.8 The Slide Rule
105(7)
Further Reading
112(4)
Endnotes for Chapter 2
116(2)
Chapter 3: Mechanical Calculating Machines
118(36)
3.1 Introduction
118(1)
3.2 Wilhelm Schickard (1592-1635)
119(5)
3.3 Blaise Pascal (1623-1662)
124(5)
3.4 Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz (1646-1716)
129(7)
3.5 Samuel Morland (1625-1695)
136(6)
3.6 Rene Grillet
142(3)
3.7 Commercially Produced Machines
145(7)
3.7.1 The Thomas Arithometer
145(1)
3.7.2 The Baldwin-Odhner Machines
146(3)
3.7.3 Key-Driven Machines
149(3)
Further Reading
152(1)
Endnotes for Chapter 3
153(1)
Chapter 4: The Babbage Machines
154(37)
4.1 Charles Babbage (1791-1871)
154(6)
4.2 The Need for Accuracy
160(1)
4.3 The Method of Differences
161(2)
4.4 Babbage's Difference Engine
163(7)
4.5 The Scheutz Difference Engine
170(5)
4.6 Other Attempts At Difference Engines
175(2)
4.7 Babbage's Analytical Engine
177(9)
4.8 Percy Ludgate (1883-1922)
186(2)
Further Reading
188(2)
Endnotes for Chapter 4
190(1)
Chapter 5: The Analog Animals
191(18)
5.1 Introduction
191(1)
5.2 The Astrolabe
192(3)
5.3 The Antikythera Device
195(3)
5.4 Tide Predictors
198(3)
5.5 Differential Analyzers
201(6)
Further Reading
207(1)
Endnotes for Chapter 5
208(1)
Chapter 6: The Mechanical Monsters
209(52)
6.1 Introduction
209(1)
6.2 The Zuse Machines
210(11)
6.2.1 Konrad Zuse
210(1)
6.2.2 The Z1
211(3)
6.2.3 The Z2
214(1)
The Z3
215(3)
6.2.5 The Z4
218(2)
6.2.6 The Other Zuse Machines
220(1)
6.3 The Bell Relay Computers
221(14)
6.3.1 The Situation
221(1)
6.3.2 The Complex Number Calculator
222(3)
6.3.3 The Relay Interpolator
225(2)
6.3.4 The Models III and IV
227(2)
6.3.5 The Model V (The Twin Machine)
229(4)
6.3.6 The Model VI
233(2)
6.4 The Harvard Machines of Howard Aiken
235(13)
6.4.1 Introduction
235(1)
6.4.2 The Harvard Mark I
235(8)
6.4.3 The Harvard Mark II
243(3)
6.4.4 The Harvard Mark III and Mark IV
246(2)
6.5 The IBM Calculators
248(10)
6.5.1 The Punched Card Systems
248(6)
6.5.2 The Large IBM Calculators
254(1)
6.5.3 The Selective Sequence Electronic Calculator (SSEC)
255(3)
Further Reading
258(3)
Chapter 7: The Electronic Revolution
261(35)
7.1 Introduction
261(1)
7.2 John Atanasoff, Clifford Berry, & the ABC
262(4)
7.3 The ENIAC
266(18)
7.3.1 Introduction
266(1)
7.3.2 The Place and the Problem
267(1)
7.3.3 The People
268(2)
7.3.4 The Machine
270(14)
7.4 The Clossus Machines
284(10)
7.4.1 The Enigma
284(4)
7.4.2 Alan Turing (1912-1954)
288(1)
7.4.3 The Robinsons
289(2)
7.4.4 The Colossus
291(3)
Further Reading
294(1)
Endnotes for Chapter 7
295(1)
Chapter 8: The First Stored Program Electronic Computers
296(85)
8.1 The Genesis of the Ideas
296(5)
8.2 Computer Memory Systems
301(20)
8.2.1 Introduction
301(2)
8.2.2 Thermal Memories
303(1)
8.2.3 Mechanical Memories
304(2)
8.2.4 Delay Line Systems
306(5)
8.2.5 Electrostatic Storage Mechanisms
311(5)
8.2.6 Rotating Magnetic Memories
316(3)
8.2.7 Static Magnetic Memories
319(2)
8.3 The British Scene
321(15)
8.3.1 Introduction
321(1)
8.3.2 The Manchester Machine
322(7)
8.3.3 The Cambridge Machine-EDSAC
329(7)
8.3.4 The NPL Pilot Ace
336(1)
8.4 The American Scene
336(40)
8.4.1 The American Background
344(3)
8.4.2 The Electronic Discrete Variable Arithmetic Computer (EDVAC)
347(4)
8.4.3 The Institute for Advanced Study Machine (IAS)
351(7)
8.4.4 The Eckert/Mauchly Machines, BINAC and UNIVAC
358(7)
8.4.5 The SEAC and SWAC Machines
365(5)
8.4.6 Project Whirlwind
370(6)
Further Reading
376(3)
Endnotes for Chapter 8
379(2)
Chapter 9: Later Developments
381(26)
9.1 Introduction
381(2)
9.2 The Early Machines of IBM
383(8)
9.2.1 The NORC
383(2)
9.2.2 The 700-7000 Series Machines
385(6)
9.3 Early Super Computers
391(9)
9.3.1 The Stretch
391(4)
9.3.2 The LARC
395(2)
9.3.3 The Ferranti Atlas
397(3)
9.4 The IBM/360 Series of Machines
400(5)
Further reading
405(1)
Endnotes for Chapter 9
406(1)
Appendix 407(9)
Index 416

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