Makes the life history of the computer accessible to students and the lay reader The computer is the great technological and scientific innovation of the last half of the twentieth century. It has revolutionized how we organize information, how we communicate with each other, and even the way that we think about the human mind. Computers have eased the drudgery of such tasks as calculating sums and clerical work making them both more bearable and more efficient. The computer has become ubiquitous in many aspects of business, recreation, and everyday life, and the trend is that they are becoming both more powerful and easier to use. Computers: The Life Story of a Technology provides an accessible overview of this ever changing technology, giving students and lay readers an understanding of the complete scope of its history from ancient times to the present day. In addition to providing a concise biography of how this technology developed, this book provides insights into how the computer has changed our lives. The volume includes a glossary of terms, a timeline of important events, and a selected bibliography of useful resources for further information. Part of the Greenwood Technographies series Provides a worldwide examination of computing, and how such needs as security and defence during the Cold War drove the development of computing technology Shows how the computer has entered almost every aspect of daily life in the 21st century