A History of Computing Technology

by Williams, Michael R.

• ISBN13: 9780818677397
• ISBN10: 0818677392
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1997-04-10
• Publisher: Wiley-IEEE Computer Society Pr

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