S1E2 - The Electro-Mechanical Age

and a little analog, and some theory and stuff.

This episode, we cover the period before World War II with an emphasis on Claude Shannon, George Stibbitz, Konrad Zuse, and Differential Analyzers. We also show how ideas spread, and what a new device means as far as influence.

Also, significant mentions of MIT.

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S1E3 - World War II

If you're gonna fight a way, you better have the computers

Episode Notes

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This episode looks at World War II, the computers needed to solve the problems war presents, and how it all helped lead us to the world of computers we know today!

S1E4 - The Computer in the US - 1942 to 1951

A look at research machines, early commercial things, and a lot of experimentation.

Episode Notes

The computer in the US rode a wave out of World War II, and involved folks like Pres Eckert, John von Neumann, and John Mauchley, Harry Huskey, and many more. We talk about BINAC, Whirlwind, EDVAC, SEAC, SWAC, and more!

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S1E5 - UK Computers - 1946 to 1952

A look at the period immediately after WWII in England.

S1E6 - The IAS Machines

Von Neumann Architecture and more!

Episode Notes

Books:

  • Dyson, George. Turing's Cathedral: The Origins of the Digital Universe. Pantheon Books, 2012.

  • Macrae, Norman. John Von Neumann: The Scientific Genius Who Pioneered the Modern Computer, Game Theory, Nuclear Deterrence, and Much More. American Mathematical Society, 1999.

  • Goldstine, Herman H. The Computer from Pascal to von Neumann. Princeton University Press, 1993.

Academic Papers and Reports:

  • von Neumann, John. "First Draft of a Report on the EDVAC."
  • Burks, Arthur W., Goldstine, Herman H., and von Neumann, John. "Preliminary Discussion of the Logical Design of an Electronic Computing Instrument."
  • Ware, Willis H. "The History and Development of the Electronic Computer Project at the Institute for Advanced Study." RAND Corporation, 1953. ru.wikipedia.org

Web Resource:

Oral Histories and Interviews:

  • "Oral history interview with Willis H. Ware." Charles Babbage Institute, University of Minnesota.
  • "Oral history interview with Arthur Burks." Charles Babbage Institute, University of Minnesota.

Documentaries and Lectures:

  • Dyson, George. "The Birth of the Computer." TED Talk, March 2003

S1E7 - The End of the Vacuum Tube Era: US Computers 1955-1960

A look at the machines put out by IBM, RCA, Librascope, and Bendix.

S1E9 - IBM Computers - 1960 to 1965

The beginning of the transistor era for Snow White

Episode Notes

https://www.computerhistory.org/brochures/1960s/ - Computer History Museum on the 1960s https://www.ibm.com/history/stretch - IBM page on STRETCH

S1E10 - UK Computers Go Commercial

Ferranti, Elliott, and More!

Episode Notes

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