Computers and Commerce:A Study of Technology and Management at Eckert-Mauchly Computer Company,Engineering Research Associates,and Remington Rand
暫譯: 電腦與商業：Eckert-Mauchly 電腦公司、工程研究協會及 Remington Rand 的技術與管理研究

Description:

Between 1946 and 1957 computing went from a preliminary, developmental stage to more widespread use accompanied by the beginnings of the digital computer industry. During this crucial decade, spurred by rapid technological advances, the computer enterprise became a major phenomenon. In Computers and Commerce, Arthur Norberg explores the importance of these years in the history of computing by focusing on technical developments and business strategies at two important firms, both established in 1946, Engineering Research Associates (ERA) and Eckert-Mauchly Computer Company (EMCC), from their early activities through their acquisition by Remington Rand.

Both ERA and EMCC had their roots in World War II, and in postwar years both firms received major funding from the United States government. Norberg analyzes the interaction between the two companies and the government and examines the impact of this institutional context on technological innovation. He assesses the technical contributions of such key company figures as J. Presper Eckert, John Mauchly, Grace Hopper, and William Norris, analyzing the importance of engineering knowledge in converting theoretical designs into workable machines. Norberg looks at the two firms' operations after 1951 as independent subsidiaries of Remington Rand, and documents the management problems that began after Remington Rand merged with Sperry Gyroscope to form Sperry Rand in 1955.

Arthur L. Norberg is Director of the Charles Babbage Institute for the History of Information and Technology. He holds the ERA Land-Grant Chair in History of Technology and is a Professor in the Program in History of Science and Technology and in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Minnesota.

 

Table of Contents:

Preface	vii
	Introduction	1
1	The Founding of Engineering Research Associates, Incorporated	21
2	Research on the Commercial Frontier of Computer Machinery: The Eckert-Mauchly Computer Corporation	73
3	Research on the Commercial Frontier of Computing Machinery: Engineering Research Associates, Inc.	117
4	Always a Dollar Short and a Day Late	167
5	Remington Rand Computing: Integrating EMCC and ERA into the Parent Company	209
	Conclusion: A New View of EMCC and ERA and Their Contributions	267
	Notes	281
	Sources	329
	Index	339