Item Details
Instrumental Analysis [Bulletin of the American Mathematical Society. Vol. 42, No. 10].
American Mathematical Society, 1936. First Edition. Original Wraps. The subject paper spans pp. 649-669, presented here as part of the complete volume. [OOC 245]
"Bush was a significant figure in computer science. In 1930, he invented the 'Differential Analyzer,' the most powerful general purpose analog computer of its time, and during WWII, he served as a key scientific advisor to the government. Bush is most famous among computer scientists for an article he published in 1945 describing a theoretical machine called a 'memex' that would provide linked access to a vast array of human knowledge; his article today reads like an uncanny foreshadowing of hypertext and the internet itself."
"Bush's 1936 paper, entitled "Instrumental Analysis," given as the American Mathematical Society's Gibbs Lecture that year, was an excellent survey of both analog and digital calculating devices. It included several references to Charles Babbage's work and in particular to the collection of papers published by Babbage's son (1889). The section on digital devices concluded with a discussion of how it might be possible to devise a programmable master controller that would turn a set of existing IBM punched-card machines into, effectively, what Bush described as "a close approach to Babbage's large conception." [In many ways, of course, this is exactly what Aiken, starting in 1937, convinced IBM to do, thus starting a project that led to the successful completion in 1944 of the first US program-controlled calculator, the Harvard Mark I.] [J. A. N. Lee, Computer Pioneers]. Near Fine in Wraps. Minor shelf/edge wear, hint of toning at spine, soft crease at front wrapper, else tight, bright, and unmarred. Printed pale grey wrappers, black ink. 8vo. 649-740pp plus adverts. Item #11049
Price: $450.00