Item Details
As We May Think. [Atlantic Monthly, Vol. 176, No. 1].
Atlantic Monthly, 1945. First Edition. Original Wraps. This article embodied the idea of hypertext and, effectively, the function of the internet. “A remarkable early expression of ideas that were eventually realized in a different way on the Internet.” [OOC 519]
"Wholly new forms of encyclopedias will appear, ready-made with a mesh of associative trails running through them, ready to be dropped into the memex and there amplified... Thus science may implement the ways in which man produces, stores, and consults the record of the race." [Bush]
“The vision of the Internet and World Wide Web goes back to an article by Vannevar Bush in the 1940s. Bush outlined his vision of an information management system called the memex (memory extender) in a famous essay “As we may think.” He envisioned the memex as a device electronically linked to a library and able to display books and films. It describes a proto-hypertext computer system and influenced the pate development of hypertext systems.” [O’Regan, Giants of Computing (2013), p. 61]
“Bush's article describes his proposed Memex system for organizing, storing, retrieving, and linking information. . . . Bush conceived of the Memex as consisting of a desk equipped with projection screens, buttons and levers, a keyboard, and a storage system designed to provide instant access to microfilmed books, periodicals, documents, photographs, etc. The Memex system would allow pieces of data to be linked into permanent 'information trails' dictated by the individual user's needs, which could be called up again and modified at any future date . . . . Only after the development of the personal computer and hyperlinks on the World Wide Web was Bush's paper resurrected as a remarkably early expression of ideas that were eventually realized in a different way on the Internet.” [OOC 519]. Very Good in Wraps. Bush, Vannevar, “As We May Think,” in Atlantic Monthly, v. 176, n.1, July 1945. Entire issue, slight wear to cover and spine, very good in original wraps. Light shelf/edge wear, small chip at top front top corner, else tight, bright, and unmarred. Glossy printed wrappers. 4to. Illus. (color and b/w plates). Item #11050
Price: $3,500.00