Pebbles to Computers: The Thread - Hardcover

Blohm, Hans; Beer, Stafford; Suzuki, David

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0195405366 ISBN 13: 9780195405361

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 1987

Synopsis

Using an exciting synthesis of text and pictures, photographer Hans Blohm and scientist Stafford Beers present a graphic exploration of the connections between prehistoric and antique technologies and those of our modern world. In this inventive book, a Byzantine sun-dial and a modern satellite signal receiver are among the many images that have been chosen to show the 'thread' connecting our efforts down the ages to use and record information.
The story of computation emerges as the central theme. By tracing its development from the earliest use of pebbles through the abacus, the slide rule and finally to the most sophisticated modern circuits, the authors present a convincing argument that 'high tech' does indeed go back to the dawn of time. Blohm and Beers have travelled from Stonehenge to the Pyramid of the Sun in Mexico, marvelled over Leonardo's inventions in Milan and examined Leibniz's calculator in Hanover in their search for evidence of the patterns of human invention. They isolate some critical issues in the development of technology, such as the reproduction of written language, and cover many of the outstanding names: Archimedes, Caxton, Pascal, Babbage and Turing among others. With an introduction by renowned zoologist David Suzuki, Pebbles to Computers is a remarkable testament to the depth and richness of humanity's technological achievements.

About this title

About the Author

About the authors:
Hans Blohm works around the world as a photographer in the forefront of scientific camera-work. Stafford Beer, a Canadian scientist, philosopher, and poet, was a pioneer of cybernetics and is an international authority on the science of organizations. David T. Suzuki, geneticist and zoologist, is famous for his PBS series "The Nature of Things."

From Library Journal

This intriguing book is both beautiful and thought-provoking. Generally, it deals with humanity's attempt to organize and analyze its experience; more specifically, it traces the history of efforts at computation. From the Athenians' use of pebbles to cast ballots, to Stonehenge, to Jacquard and his "automated" control of the loom, to Babbage, Eniac, and beyond, the book features striking photography and perceptive yet concise text. Suzuki, a geneticist known to the public for CBS TV series including The Nature of Things , provides a fine introduction to the photographs by science photographer Blohm and text by cybernetics theorist Beer. A satisfying book on several levels. Hilary D. Burton, Lawrence Livermore National Lab., Livermore, Cal.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 1987
• ISBN 10: 0195405366
• ISBN 13: 9780195405361
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 112