The Computer. A History from the 17th Century to Today

The story of the evolution of machines in computer history is full of the disruptive innovations that have led to today’s world. From the early beginnings of computing to the bulky mainframe to the personal computer era, we now live in an almost entirely digital age.

The Computer explores steps from the first ideas of a calculating machine in the 19th century and early experiments with autonomous driving in the 1920s to oversized office computers in the 1950s to laptops and wearables of today. Jens Müller delivers a visual understanding of the emergence of the Information Age that hasn’t been shown before. Tracing the stories of tech visionaries, pioneers, and entrepreneurs, the book combines compelling visuals, historical documents, and in-depth explanations to reveal significant events in computer history. Encompassing the invention of machines, coding, and software development, as well as technology's influence on today's political landscape.

This survey presents creations from Ada Lovelace, Charles Babbage, Alan Turing, Grace Hopper, Bill Gates, and Steve Jobs. Showcasing forgotten gadgets and prototypes connecting iconic products such as the Apple Macintosh and the Sony Play Station. As well as remembering milestones in software development, videogaming, and the web. Infographics explain wireless communication and other fundamental technical concepts, while the history of corporations such as IBM, Apple, Microsoft, Atari, Amazon, and Google is retraced through rare photographs and advertising campaigns.

A fascinating read, this book acknowledges the computer’s stupendous power and social impact. For techies and everyone interested in culture, economics, politics, and science, it illustrates how we got here today and helps us ask better questions about where we will be tomorrow.

MEDIA REVIEWS

“Covering everything from room-sized mainframe computers up to today’s personal devices.” “There's no denying its sheer quality.” “As handsome as it is imposing.” “The Computer lays out, in glorious detail, the last 300 years of technological progress, and the figures and groups behind it.” “[This] history of how we went from the calculating machines of the 19th century to the miniature wearable tech of today is packed with visionaries and pioneers. Where will the computing revolution take us next?” “Every once in a while a revolutionary product comes along that changes everything.” “…a monumental survey… The Computer is a richly illustrated history of society’s ever-evolving relationship with the silicon chip.” “…an engaging and visually captivating book that takes readers on a journey through the evolution of computing and its profound impact on society.”