Items related to Colossus: The First Electronic Computer (Popular Science)
Synopsis
The American ENIAC is customarily regarded as having been the starting point of electronic computation. This book rewrites the history of computer science, arguing that in reality Colossus--the giant computer built by the British secret service during World War II--predates ENIAC by two years.
Colossus was built during the Second World War at the Government Code and Cypher School at Bletchley Park. Until very recently, much about the Colossus machine was shrouded in secrecy, largely because the code-breaking algorithms that were employed during World War II remained in use by the British security services until a short time ago. In addition, the United States has recently declassified a considerable volume of wartime documents relating to Colossus. Jack Copeland has brought together memoirs of veterans of Bletchley Park--the top-secret headquarters of Britain's secret service--and others who draw on the wealth of declassified information to illuminate the crucial role Colossus played during World War II. Included here are pieces by the former WRENS who actually worked the machine, the scientist who pioneered the use of vacuum tubes in data processing, and leading authorities on code-breaking and computer science.
A must read for anyone curious about code-breaking or World War II espionage, Colossus offers a fascinating insider's account of the world first giant computer, the great great grandfather of the massive computers used today by the CIA and the National Security Agency.
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About the Author
Jack Copeland is a Reader in Philosophy and Director of the Turing Project at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand. A contributor to Scientific American, his books include Turing's Machines, Artificial Intelligence, and The Essential Turing.
Review
"Reading Colossus, a book about the world's first fully electronic computer that was built during the Second World War to crack the codes of high-level Nazi communications, is like reading a suspenseful spy story! It is entertaining to read and at the same time one learns a lot about the history of cryptography and code breaking secrets, decryption and related technologies. Historical pictures along with many interesting charts make the book indispensable to anyone who reviews or writes about the history of computer technology."--Human-Interaction International News
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherOxford University Press
- Publication date2006
- ISBN 10 019284055X
- ISBN 13 9780192840554
- BindingHardcover
- LanguageEnglish
- Number of pages480
- EditorCopeland Jack
- Rating
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Colossus: The Secrets of Bletchley Park's Code-breaking Computers
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Colossus: The Secrets of Bletchley Park's Code-breaking Computers
ISBN 10: 019284055X
ISBN 13: 9780192840554
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Colossus: The First Electronic Computer (Popular Science)
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ISBN 10: 019284055X
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Colossus: The Secrets of Bletchley Park's Code-breaking Computers
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Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Colossus: The Secrets of Bletchley Park's Code-breaking Computers This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. Seller Inventory # 7719-9780192840554
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Colossus : The First Electronic Computer
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Colossus: The Secrets of Bletchley Park's Code-breaking Computers
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Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. Seller Inventory # 6545-9780192840554
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Colossus: The Secrets of Bletchley Park's Codebreaking Computers (Popular Science)
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Colossus : The First Electronic Computer
Published by
Oxford University Press, Incorporated, 2006
ISBN 10: 019284055X
ISBN 13: 9780192840554
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Seller: Better World Books Ltd, Dunfermline, United Kingdom
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Condition: Very Good. Ships from the UK. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects. Seller Inventory # 7799820-6
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Colossus: The First Electronic Computer (Popular Science)
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Hardcover. Condition: New. 8vo (24 cm), XVI, 462 pp. Publisher's cloth and dust jacket (minor shelf-wear). "This is a history of Colossus, the world's first fully-functioning electronic digital computer. Colossus was used during the Second World War at the Government Code and Cypher School at Bletchley Park, where it played an invaluable role cracking enemy codes. Until very recently, much about the Colossus machine was shrouded in secrecy, largely because the codes that were employed remained in use by the British security services until a short time ago. This book has only become possible due to the recent declassification in the US of wartime documents. With an introductory essay on cryptography and the history of code-breaking by Simon Singh, this book reveals the workings of Colossus and the extraordinary staff at Bletchley Park through personal accounts by those who lived and worked with the computer. Among them is the testimony of Thomas Flowers, who was the architect of Colossus and whose personal account, written shortly before he died, is published here for the first time. Other essays consider the historical importance of this remarkable machine, and its impact on the generations of computing technology that followed." (from the blurb). Seller Inventory # 008333
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Colossus: The Secrets of Bletchley Park's Codebreaking Computers
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Hardcover. Condition: Brand New. illustrated edition. 480 pages. 9.25x6.25x1.50 inches. In Stock. Seller Inventory # zk019284055X
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