Archives of Data-Processing History: A Guide to Major U.S. Collections

by James W. Cortada

The history of the computer, and of the industry it spawned, is the latest entrant into the field of historical studies. Scholars beginning to turn their attention to the subject of computing need James Cortada's Archives of Data Procesing History as a brief introduction to sources immediately available for investigation. Each essay provides an overview of a major government, academic, or industrial archival collection dealing with the history of computing, the industry, and its leaders and is written by the archivist/historian who has worked with or is responsible for the collection.

The archives give practical information on hours, organization, contacts, telephone numbers, survey of contents, and assessments of the historical significance of the collections and their institutions. Reference and business librarians will definitely want to add this volume to their collections. Those interested in the history of technology, the business history of the industry, and the history of major institutions will want to consult it.

195 pages, Hardcover

First published April 24, 1990

About the author

James W. Cortada is the author of over two-dozen books on the history and use of information and computing in American society. He is a Senior Research Fellow at the Charles Babbage Institute, University of Minnesota. He worked at IBM for thirty-eight years in sales, consulting, managerial, and research positions.