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ENIAC in Action: Making and Remaking the Modern Computer (History of Computing)

Name: ENIAC in Action: Making and Remaking the Modern Computer (History of Computing)
Price: 25.97 USD
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4.3 of 5 Stars: History & Culture - ENIAC in Action: Making and Remaking the Modern Computer (History of Computing)

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Book Synopsis: The history of the first programmable electronic computer, from its conception, construction, and use to its afterlife as a part of computing folklore. Conceived in 1943, completed in 1945, and decommissioned in 1955, ENIAC (the Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer) was the first general-purpose programmable electronic computer. But ENIAC was more than just a milestone on the road to the modern computer. During its decade of operational life, ENIAC calculated sines and cosines and tested for statistical outliers, plotted the trajectories of bombs and shells, and ran the first numerical weather simulations. ENIAC in Action tells the whole story for the first time, from ENIAC's design, construction, testing, and use to its afterlife as part of computing folklore. It highlights the complex relationship of ENIAC and its designers to the revolutionary approaches to computer architecture and coding first documented by John von Neumann in 1945. Within this broad sweep, the authors emphasize the crucial but previously neglected years of 1947 to 1948, when ENIAC was reconfigured to run what the authors claim was the first modern computer program to be executed: a simulation of atomic fission for Los Alamos researchers. The authors view ENIAC from diverse perspectives--as a machine of war, as the first computer, as a material artifact constantly remade by its users, and as a subject of (contradictory) historical narratives. They integrate the history of the machine and its applications, describing the mathematicians, scientists, and engineers who proposed and designed ENIAC as well as the men and particularly the women who built, programmed, and operated it.

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Discover the fascinating story of the first programmable electronic computer with ENIAC in Action: Making and Remaking the Modern Computer. Dive into the history of ENIAC, from its conception to its afterlife as a part of computing folklore. This book takes you on a journey through the design, construction, testing, and use of ENIAC, highlighting its groundbreaking capabilities and its crucial role in revolutionizing computer architecture and coding.

ENIAC wasn't just a milestone on the road to modern computing; it was a machine of war, a pioneer in numerical weather simulations, and a tool for scientific research. It computed sines and cosines, tested for statistical outliers, and plotted the trajectories of bombs and shells. With ENIAC in Action, you'll gain a comprehensive understanding of ENIAC's impact and significance.

The authors of ENIAC in Action go beyond the technical aspects and explore the complex relationship between ENIAC and its designers. They shed light on the previously neglected years of 1947 to 1948, when ENIAC was reconfigured to run what is believed to be the first modern computer program: a simulation of atomic fission for Los Alamos researchers. This book offers a fresh perspective on the machine, its applications, and the key individuals involved in its creation and operation.

ENIAC in Action is more than a historical account; it's a captivating narrative that describes the machine as a material artifact constantly remade by its users. Immerse yourself in the intriguing world of early computing, and discover the untold stories of the mathematicians, scientists, and engineers who paved the way for the modern computer era.

If you have a passion for the history of computing or simply enjoy captivating stories of innovation and progress, ENIAC in Action is a must-read. Don't miss out on this opportunity to delve into the fascinating journey of the first programmable electronic computer. Get your copy today and uncover the secrets of ENIAC.

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