Stone to Silicon: A History of Technology and Computing, by Roger Whatley and Bill Inmon
Ever wonder how we got from the abacus to AI?
Ancient Calculating Devices and Their Limitations
The Analytical Engine: A Vision Ahead of Its Time
Early Punched Cards and the Birth of Programmable Machines
The Human Element: The Unsung Heroes of Early Computation
The Role of Women in Early Computing
Anecdotes, Musings, and Recollections
Mainframes: The Dawn of Large-Scale Computing
The Early Pioneers: The ABC (Atanasoff-Berry) to the Cray
The Rise of Versatile Computing
Anecdotes, Musings, and Recollections
The Early Days of Assembly Language: A Low-Level Approach
The Invention of High-Level Languages: Making Programming More Accessible
The Evolution of Programming Paradigms: Different Approaches to Problem Solving
The Impact of Programming Languages on Software Development Efficiency and Innovation
The Ongoing Evolution of Programming Languages: Meeting the Demands of Modern Computing
Anecdotes, Musings, and Recollections
Early Data Storage Methods, Limitations, and Innovations
The Rise of Databases: Organizing and Managing Information Efficiently
Data Warehousing Building Centralized Repositories of Information
Cloud Computing and Data Storage: The Modern Approach
The Future of Data Storage: Emerging Technologies and Trends
The Fundamentals of Algorithmic Thinking: Breaking Down Complex Problems
Data Structures: Efficiently Organizing and Accessing Information
Data Architecture: Designing the Blueprint for Information Flow
Algorithm Analysis: Measuring Efficiency and Performance
Software Engineering Principles: Building Reliable and Maintainable Systems
Advanced Problem-Solving Techniques, Artificial Intelligence, and Machine Learning
Anecdotes, Musings, and Recollections
The Early Days of Personal Computing: The Rise of Hobbyist Culture
The Birth of the Microprocessor: The Heart of the Personal Computer
The Software Revolution: Operating Systems and Applications
The Rise of Personal Computer Manufacturers: Competition and Innovation
The Societal Impact of Personal Computers: Changing the Way We Live and Work
Anecdotes, Musings, and Recollections
Early Networking Technologies: ARPANET and the Precursors to the Internet
The Invention of the World Wide Web: Making the Internet Accessible
The Rise of E-commerce and Online Services: Transforming Industries
The Social Impact of the Internet: Connecting People Globally
The Future of the Internet: Emerging Technologies and Trends
Anecdotes, Musings, and Recollections
Early Mobile Phones: From Analog to Digital (From Bricks to Clicks)
The Rise of Smartphones: Convergence of Computing and Communication
Mobile Operating Systems: iOS vs Android
Mobile Apps and the App Economy: Transforming How We Interact with Technology
The Societal Impact of Smartphones: Connectivity, Convenience, and Concerns
Alone Togetherness: The Art of Being Socially Antisocial
Anecdotes, Musings, and Recollections
From Fiction to Function: Sci-Fi’s Blueprint for Innovation
Early AI Concepts and Research: The Foundations of the Field
The Rise of Machine Learning: Algorithms That Learn from Data
Deep Learning, Neural Networks, and Their Applications
AI in Everyday Life: Applications and Impacts
The Invention of the Transistor: A Fundamental Breakthrough
The Development of Integrated Circuits, Miniaturization, and Efficiency
Moore’s Law and the Exponential Growth of Computing Power
The Manufacturing of Semiconductors: A Complex and Precise Process
The Future of Semiconductor Technology: Beyond Moore’s Law
Early Cybersecurity Challenges: Protecting Mainframes and Networks
The Rise of Malware and Cybercrime: Evolving Threats
Cybersecurity Technologies: Protecting Data and Systems
Technology and Employment: Automation and the Changing Workforce
Technology and Communication: Connecting People Across Distances
Technology and Education: Expanding Access to Learning
Autonomous Systems and Moral Responsibility
Quantum Computing: Beyond the Limits of Classical Computation
Artificial General Intelligence (AGI): The Quest for Human-Level Intelligence
Biocomputing and Nanotechnology: Integrating Biology and Technology
The Internet of Things (IoT): Connecting Devices and Data
The Metaverse and Virtual Reality: Immersive Digital Experiences
Anecdotes, Musings, and Recollections
Key Themes and Lessons from the History of Computing
From the dawn of computation with tally sticks to Charles Babbage’s Analytical Engine, Ada Lovelace’s visionary algorithms, and the punch-card revolution of IBM, this book traces the winding path that led us to modern computing. Along the way, you’ll meet eccentric inventors, brilliant mathematicians, forgotten pioneers, and everyday “human computers” whose quiet labor powered astronomical discoveries and wartime victories. With lively storytelling and witty asides, journey through the history of technology, computing, and human ingenuity.
Packed with anecdotes, historical breakthroughs, and colorful personalities, Stone to Silicon: A History of Technology and Computing brings to life the dramatic shifts of the mainframe era, the rise of minicomputers, the dominance of IBM, the arrival of programming languages, and the explosion of personal computing. You’ll see how innovations like the Jacquard loom, ENIAC, UNIVAC, and Cray supercomputers paved the way for the internet, the smartphone revolution, and the AI-powered world we live in today.
But this book isn’t just about machines—it’s about the people behind them. From Grace Hopper and her legendary “bug” to Katherine Johnson and the women of NASA, from Seymour Cray’s supercomputing genius to the Navajo women hand-weaving early computer memory, these stories reveal the human side of computing history. Their creativity and persistence shaped the technologies we use daily.
Whether you’re a tech professional, a student of computer science, a history buff, or just someone who wonders how in the world we got from pebbles to pixels, this book delivers insight, entertainment, and plenty of “aha” moments.
Bill Inmon, the “father of the data warehouse,” has written 60 books published in nine languages. ComputerWorld named Bill one of the ten most influential people in the history of the computer profession. Bill’s latest adventure is the building of technology known as textual disambiguation.
Roger Whatley, Ph.D., is a seasoned systems software engineer and computer scientist whose career spans the full arc of modern computing—from hardware design and low-level programming to enterprise systems management. With decades of hands-on experience, Dr. Whatley has helped shape the infrastructure behind today’s digital world.
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