Today every business has its computers. This book looks back to a time when the business computer was unknown. It was almost fifty years ago that a British catering company, then a household name for its teashops and swiss rolls, identified the part that only a computer could play in running its business. Since none existed or was in prospect, it set about designing and building a business computer of its own.
This book is a firsthand account of how this astonishing user-innovation came about. It is a flesh and blood, warts and all story told by the participants. It brims over with the enthusiasm that enabled the unlikeliest of organisations to lead the way into the future that has become so familiar to us.
The narrative sketches the brief twenty-year life and times of LEO, the computer and the organisation that resulted. It tells of the trip to the USA in 1947 to discover the truth about the 'Electronic Brain' that was being built for ballistic studies. It goes on to relate how a machine especially attuned to the much more exacting demands of time-critical office work was built and programmed, leading to the running of the world's first regular, routine business application in November 1951. There are individual accounts of some of the earliest jobs written by the consultants who brought them to fruition. It concludes with the different strands coming together to provide the essence of the LEO credo of comprehensive, integrated, secure, action-stimulating implementations. These were exciting times in which the dynamic of an extraordinary group of people, produced the world's first business computer operation.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
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Seller: Anybook.com, Lincoln, United Kingdom
Condition: Good. This is an ex-library book and may have the usual library/used-book markings inside.This book has hardback covers. In good all round condition. No dust jacket. Please note the Image in this listing is a stock photo and may not match the covers of the actual item,1000grams, ISBN:0077092368. Seller Inventory # 9111328
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Seller: Ammareal, Morangis, France
Hardcover. Condition: Bon. Ancien livre de bibliothèque. Salissures sur la tranche. Couverture différente. Edition 1996. Ammareal reverse jusqu'à 15% du prix net de cet article à des organisations caritatives. ENGLISH DESCRIPTION Book Condition: Used, Good. Former library book. Stains on the edge. Different cover. Edition 1996. Ammareal gives back up to 15% of this item's net price to charity organizations. Seller Inventory # C-651-925
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Seller: Goulds Book Arcade, Sydney, Newtown, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. 401 pages. Books listed here are not stored at the shop. Please contact us if you want to pick up a book from Newtown. Seller Inventory # 165507
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Seller: Edinburgh Books, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good Plus. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good Plus. First Edition. 1996.xxv, 401pp. "Today every business has its computers. This book is a firsthand account of how this astonishing user-innovation came about. It is a flesh and blood, warts and all story told by the participants. It brims over with the enthusiasm that enabled the unlikeliest of organisations to lead the way into the future that has become so familiar to us." SIGNED by at least three authors to the ffep as well as 5 other possibly significant people. Photocopy of a letter from author David Caminer to the previous owner who was involved in early computing (working with LEO) tipped in to front pastedown. Light colour fading to some areas of the boards. PLEASE NOTE: Heavyish book so a little extra may be needed for shipping to non-UK customers. Signed by Author(s). Seller Inventory # Computers027
Quantity: 1 available