Where Wizards Stay Up Late: The Origins of the Internet - Softcover

Katie Hefner; Matthew Lyon

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0756792215 ISBN 13: 9780756792213

Publisher: Touchstone-Simon & Schuster, 1996

Synopsis

A few decades ago, it didn't exist. Today, hundreds of millions of people worldwide are surfing the Net. This is the exciting story of the pioneers responsible for creating the most influential & far-reaching communications breakthrough since the invention of the telephone. In the 1960s, when computers were regarded as mere giant calculators, J.C.R. Licklider at MIT saw them as the ultimate communications devices. With Defense Dept. funds, a band of visionary computer whizzes he inspired began work on a nationwide, interlocking network of computers. Taking readers behind the scenes, this book captures the hard work, genius, & happy accidents of their daring, stunningly successful venture. Black & white photos.

About this title

Review:

Considering that the history of the Internet is perhaps better documented internally than any other technological construct, it is remarkable how shadowy its origins have been to most people, including die-hard Net-denizens!

At last, Hafner and Lyon have written a well-researched story of the origins of the Internet substantiated by extensive interviews with its creators who delve into many interesting details such as the controversy surrounding the adoption of our now beloved "@" sign as the separator of usernames and machine addresses. Essential reading for anyone interested in the past -- and the future -- of the Net specifically, and telecommunications generally.

About the Author:

Katie Hafner is a technology correspondent at ''Newsweek'' and coauthor of ''Cyberpunk: Outlaws and Hackers on the Computer Frontier.'' Matthew Lyon and Katie Hafner are married and live in the San Francisco Bay area.

About this edition

• Publisher: Touchstone-Simon & Schuster
• Publication date: 1996
• ISBN 10: 0756792215
• ISBN 13: 9780756792213
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 304