Group R
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Misa proposes a fourth thematic tradition for analyzing the history of computing. This tradition would be hybrid, involving cross-field interaction. It would also employ two-fold analysis to situate studies of computing within major historical transformations. Three potential research programs are outlined: examining computing's role in ongoing social and economic changes in Europe; exploring how Moore's Law shaped history; and analyzing the introduction of computer-mediated communication and its effects on globalization.
Group R
- 1. Thomas J. Misa (Emily Alcantara, Danielle Binns, Dana Baasiri)
- 2. Agenda Introduction to History of Computing Three Thematic Traditions Proposed Fourth Thematic Tradition Research Programs Future Predictions
- 3. Introduction – History of Computing Focus has been on specifics Difficult to conceive and conduct the wide-ranging and long-duration studies Impact of computing depends on the analytical scale of our inquires
- 4. Natural World Microscope Telescope
- 5. Objectives Discover a means of addressing the history of computing Recognize that computing artifacts and practices are shaped by local communities and cultures Capture long-term processes by which computing has shaped the world
- 6. Analysis aimed at: 1. Identifying “first” digital computers 2. Understanding technical details and operation of computer. Priority of analysis: electronic digital computer, immediate predecessors, and obvious offspring. Critiques of Analysis: 1. Preoccupied with “facts and firsts”. 2. Solely devotes attention to technical details of machine. 3. Does not analyze historical and cultural context and the choices faced by those involved with the development of computer technology.
- 7. Second Thematic Tradition Analysis aimed at : the historical roots of the information age. Primary function of computers: information processing Expanded focus to: 1. Broader set of technologies 2. Use of technologies in insurance, finance, and government.
- 8. Third Thematic Tradition Analysis aimed at: understanding how certain institutions shaped computing. Emphasized influence of institutional dynamics on both rate and direction of technical developments.
- 9. A Fourth Thematic Tradition?
- 10. Fourth Thematic Tradition First Characteristic: Go HYBRID! Isolation is unhealthy. The remedy? Cross-field interaction.
- 11. Fourth Thematic Tradition Second Characteristic: Two-fold Analysis
- 12. Fourth Thematic Tradition Third Characteristic: Historical Transformation Situate studies of computing within and as a vital part of major historical transformations
- 13. Research for the Future 3 research programs that address the question of how computing changed the world: Europe Moore’s Law Globalization
- 14. Europe (1) Ongoing social, political, economic, and cultural processes: New currency New food standards New flow of consumer goods New technology Expanding European community
- 15. Europe (2) “ Tensions of Europe” Technology played a role in the making of Europe in the 20 th C in the following sectors: Cities Mobility Infrastructure Engineering projects Communication Information “ Inventing” Europe”
- 16. Europe (3) How did Europe take shape through the dissemination and use of software? IBM’s various roles in European cultures and expectations: Finland France Zurich Eastern Europe
- 17. Moore’s Law Gordon Moore- 1965 “ A certain class of integrated electronic components seemed to be doubling in density each year” – Misa. A target for industry and a guiding light for venture capitalists. Moore’s law as an agent of change that shaped history
- 18. Globalization The introduction of computer-mediated forms of communication: Fax machines Airplane reservation systems Network of computing- Federal Express & Airbus Environmental history to computing and globalization Electronic waste
- 19. Predictions (1) Those writing for and those reading the IEEE Annals of the History of Computing—will be a larger group, and a more heterogeneous group.
- 20. Predictions (2) Historians of many specialties will inevitably see computing interacting with their chosen subject matter, and many of them will become at least part-time historians of computing .
- 21. Predictions (3) Citizens and policymakers will certainly need historical perspective and practical insight into the world.
- 22. If computing has changed the world, we have an immense opportunity, and also a significant responsibility, to help understand how this came about.
- 23. Discussion Questions Computing is heavily reliant on technology. Technology is not impervious to error and failure. Do you think that oral tradition and written culture are seemingly more reliable than their electronic counterpart? Misa argues that historians must utilize a twofold analytical framework in order to understand the history of computing. What are some specific examples that demonstrate how society shaped technology, or how technology has shaped society? Misa credits computing as a contributor to the growth and development of Europe. Do you think that computing has aided in the development of all countries equally, or do you think that computing has created a wider gap between the developed and developing countries?