A History of Computing Technology

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.

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

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)

FREE SHIPPING

Amazon no longer offers textbook rentals. We do!

A History of Computing Technology

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials