• When Computers Were Human - David Alan Grier

    When Computers Were Human - David Alan Grier

    Computer History Museum

    June 6, 2005

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    What did it mean to be a human computer? Who were the first ones? Before Palm Pilots and iPods, PCs and laptops, the term “computer” referred to people who did scientific calculations by hand. In his book When Computers Were Human, David Alan Grier, editor of IEEE Annals of History of Computing, offers the first in-depth account of these workers, who were neither calculating geniuses nor idiot savants but knowledgeable people who, in other circumstances, might have become scientists in their own right. Beginning with the return of Halley's Comet in 1758 and the effort of three French astronomers to compute its orbit to the UNIVAC electronic computer projecting its 1986 orbit, Grier traces “human computers” through the ages. Come join Grier, along with former “computers,” for this look into a little-known slice of high tech history. David Alan Grier is the editor of the IEEE Annals of the History of Computing and is an associate professor in the Science and Technology Policy at the George Washington University. He claims to be third generation computer scientist. He worked on the design team for the Burroughs Scientific Processor in the 1980s; his father, Thomas Grier, joined Univac in the 1950s and lead the Burroughs user group CUBE in the 1960s and 1970s; and his grandmother, Blanch O’Kane, was trained as a human computer at the University of Michigan in the 1920s. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Middlebury College and a PhD in Statistics from the University of Washington. He now writes extensively on the social aspects of computers. His articles have appeared in a list of periodicals that includes the Communications of the ACM, Chance, the American Mathematical Monthly, The Christian Science Monitor and the Washington Post. He lives in the District of Columbia. Odysseys in Technology, The Computer History Museum Speaker Series Sponsored by Sun Microsystems Laboratories, presents people and perspectives behind extraordinary innovations and advancements in the computer technology-related world. Each event in the Series provides stimulating interaction with authentic experts whose achievements have transformed how things are done or viewed, and to examine how their personal stories might inform the present and future. These programs occasionally feature technologies or point events, with the objective to apply lessons of history to present day understanding and inspiration.

    • Ticket Info

      Tickets: Free, suggested $10 donation.

    • Dates & Times

      Dates:
      June 6, 2005

      Times:
      7pm-8:30pm

    • Venue Info

      Computer History Museum

      1401 N. Shoreline Blvd. Mountain View, CA 94043

      Full map and directions

    • Parking Info

      Large parking lot area behind the Museum

    • Accessibility Info
      • Wheelchair Access

    • NOTE: We do our best to ensure all information is accurate, however it's a good idea to visit the website or call the venue to verify the information.

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