The Computer: A Brief History of the Machine That Changed the World

— —

Eric G. Swedin (Weber State University, USA) David L. Ferro (Weber State University, USA)

The Computer

A Brief History of the Machine That Changed the World

Eric G. Swedin (Weber State University, USA), David L. Ferro (Weber State University, USA)

$44.99

Paperback

Not in-store but you can order this
How long will it take?

Availability Information

We source books from suppliers in Australia and overseas. For books we don't currently have in stock, the time it takes to get them from our suppliers can vary widely - from a few days to a few months - so we check each book with each supplier to determine the expected time it will take to be supplied to us.

We then advise you accordingly. If the time taken to get any book is too long for you, you can let us know and we will cancel or adjust your order, and refund as required.

To find out the anticipated arrival time for specific items prior to ordering, please contact us by phone or email:

Phone +61 2 9264 3111, or 1800 4 BOOKS (1800 4 26657) if outside Sydney:
option 1 Abbey's Bookshop (Crime, History, Science, Kids & more) • info@abbeys.com.au
option 2 Language Book Centre (ESL & Foreign Languages) • language@abbeys.com.au
option 3 Galaxy Bookshop (Sci-fi, Fantasy, Romance, Graphic Novels) • sf@galaxybooks.com.au

QTY:

English

Bloomsbury Academic USA
30 October 2025

General & world history; 20th century history: c 1900 to c 2000; History of engineering & technology; Computing: general

This book, aimed at general readers, covers the entirety of computing history from antiquity to the present, placing the story of computing into the broader context of politics, economics, society, and more.

Computers dominate the world we live in, and this book describes how we got here. The Computer: A Brief History of the Machine That Changed the World covers topics from early efforts at mathematical computation back in ancient times, such as the abacus and the Antikythera device, through Babbage's Difference Engine and the Hollerith Tabulating Machines of the 19th century, to the eventual invention of the modern computer during World War II and its aftermath. The scope of the text reaches into the modern day, with chapters on social media and the influence of computers and technology on recent elections.

The information in this book, perfect for readers new to the topic or those looking to delve into the history of computers in greater detail, can be accessed both chronologically and topically. With chapters focusing on larger time periods as well as shorter subsections covering specific people and topics, this book is designed to make the history of computing as approachable as possible.

By: Eric G. Swedin (Weber State University USA), David L. Ferro (Weber State University, USA)
Imprint: Bloomsbury Academic USA
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 232mm, Width: 154mm, Spine: 20mm
Weight: 480g
ISBN: 9798216383390
Pages: 320
Publication Date: 30 October 2025
Audience: College/higher education , Primary & secondary/elementary & high school , Primary , Children's (6-12)
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Introduction 1. Before Computers 2. The First Electronic Computers 3. The Second Generation: From Vacuum Tubes to Transistors 4. The Third Generation: From Integrated Circuits to Microprocessors 5. Personal Computers: Bringing the Computer into the Home 6. Connections: Networking Computers Together 7. Moore's Law Triumphant 8. Social Media 9. Computers Everywhere 10. Information Security Reflections on the Past and Future: A Conclusion Bibliography Index

Eric G. Swedin is professor of history at Weber State University in Ogden, UT, USA. David L. Ferro is professor of computer science and dean of the College of Engineering, Applied Science, and Technology at Weber State University in Ogden, UT, USA.