The History of the Computer

by Elizabeth Raum

How big were the first computers? What jobs were computers used for in the past? When was the World Wide Web invented? Take a journey through time and discover the amazing history of the computer!

Genres: Nonfiction

32 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2007

About the author

As a child, I loved writing reports. For me, doing research has always been a kind of treasure hunt. My treasures are the facts that create pictures of past worlds and faraway places. I've put those facts into nearly 100 biographies, histories, and science books for young readers. I've also written two picture books and several interactive adventures that place you, the reader, inside the story. I hope that all my books lead you to imagine yourself in some intriguing place among fascinating people. Every book should take readers on new adventures in this big, beautiful world of ours.

Happy travels!

Author website: www.elizabethraumbooks.com

Reviews

[Ebookwormy1]

This elementary text narrates the factual development of the computer. Generally, I like the straightforward approach and how the text explains the invention of this new industry in the late 20th century.

However, I find the photos to be confusing. Some of the photos are intended to show the time period discussed by the text on that page, such as a photo of the Harvard Mark I computer of 1943 that complements text about its debut. But later in the book, the photos and text seem out of sync with images featuring 'computing today' while talking of progress in previous years. For example, on page 20 text discusses the first lap tops, with a photo of a woman using a sleek modern machine. The value of this book is in showing how far the industry has come, so we *need* to see the original clunky lap top. Perhaps this dissembling imagery is why the book felt like it started strong with the "Before Computers" section and following, but began to fall apart some time around "Personal Computers".

Computing today is the other hiccup. As with all things technology, this book published in 2008, is already feeling dated. Large screen tube monitors, discussion of PDAs with narry a mention of iphones, ipads, tablets, wireless, etc, and yet podcasts are mentioned? Since it was published in 2008, the tablets, home computing, mobile gaming and google phenomena that have blossomed to become part of a child's elementary education are not even mentioned.

Truly, computing has continued it's incredible advancements in the last 10 years, and that might make this book obsolete sooner than later. It also makes it challenging to find book to explain the on-line, technical world to children even as they are immersed in it.

Recommended titles:
Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and the Personal Computer (Graphic Library), Lemke, 2007
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Shelli]

Such a fun read about the evolution of computer technology! With nice photographs which showcase counting machines that looked more like roll top desks, computers the size of homes, to the modern devices we use today and everything in between; many of these antiquated "fossils" will surprise young readers. This journey through time and history is perfect for any elementary classroom or library.