The Innovators

The Innovators 

by Walter Isaacson

Finished a good book that provides the history of the digital revolution, written by the author of the biography on Steve Jobs.  The book, The Innovators, by Walter Isaacson, starts with the history of thinkers who studied systems of math equations that can answer questions on productivity and artificial intelligence.  Isaacson begins the story with Lord Byron’s daughter, Ada Lovelace, who publishes notes on the Analytical Engine that Babbage created in 1847.  At the turn of the twentieth century and through the World Wars, the author presents the pre-history of the computer and all of the people who drew upon the last person’s work.  Isaacson presents the lessons of the digital revolution, the progress that happened because of collaboration, and how each person built upon existing knowledge.  The book chapters include the following: how programming for computers was needed to fulfill what computers could do; the role of the transistor and the microchip; roll-out of video games; the internet; the personal computer; the software war; online communities; and, finally, the world wide web.  Isaacson includes timelines of the inventions and pictures of all of the players in the development of the digital world.  This is a must-read for any computer science or math major.  It is a foundational book that helps explain where we are today.  I liked how Isaacson gives the personal stories of the key players, their families and educational backgrounds.  It is also great to read that NYU had some part in the story, from Richard Courant (math genius) to our own Clay Shirkey (Associate Provost).  I enjoyed gaining this perspective and being reminded that collaboration leads to progress.