Library: Technology by Credo Reference: Overview & History

Definitions

Technology: Topic Page
The use of tools, power, and materials, generally for the purposes of production. Almost every human process for getting food and shelter depends on complex technological systems, which have been developed over a 3-million-year period.
Computing
From Reader's Guide to the History of Science
Since the 1950s, the term “computing” has been appropriated for all forms of information processing, from mathematical and control applications, to business data processing. Within the context of the history of science, the term computing is normally restricted to numerical algorithms, and practical computing in science and engineering.
Consumer Technology
From Encyclopedia of American Studies
Electrification and other technological innovations aided in the commodification of leisure and entertainment.

History of Technology

Technology Through History
From Encyclopedia of World Trade: From Ancient Times to the Present
History has been divided into ages and eras defined by the new technology being used at the time.
Stone Age: Topic Page
The developmental stage of humans in prehistory before the use of metals, when tools and weapons were made chiefly of stone, especially flint.
Bronze Age: Topic Page
Stage of prehistory and early history when copper and bronze (an alloy of tin and copper) became the first metals worked extensively and used for tools and weapons.
Iron Age: Topic Page
Developmental stage of human technology when weapons and tools were made from iron. Preceded by the Stone and Bronze ages, it is the last technological stage in the Three Age System framework for prehistory.
Industrial Revolution: Topic Page
Tthe pace of technological and social change accelerated exponentially in the 18th and 19th centuries with the Industrial Revolution.
Manhattan Project: Topic Page
The wartime effort to design and build the first nuclear weapons (atomic bombs).

Early Computers

Tech Companies

Apple Inc.: Topic Page
US computer and electronics company, manufacturer of the iPodMP3 music player, iPhone multimedia mobile telephone, Macintosh range of computers, and iPad tablet computer.
Google: Topic Page
Google can be found in almost every domain of Internet computing and media provision.
IBM: Topic Page
Multinational company, one of the world's largest technology companies (as of 2011). The company is a descendant of the Tabulating Machine Company, formed in 1896 by US inventor Herman Hollerith to exploit his punched-card machines.
Microsoft: Topic Page
US corporation, one of the world's largest software suppliers, based in Redmond, Washington. Microsoft was founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen in 1975. Its first major product was a version of BASIC, written for the first personal computer, the MITS Altair, in 1975, and adopted by most of the desktop computer industry.
Wikipedia: Topic Page
One of the most successful examples of internet-based organization, this ‘free encyclopedia anyone can edit’ has (at the time of writing) over 5 million articles in 200 languages.

History of Computing - Key People

Charles Babbage (1791-1871): Topic Page
English mathematician and inventor, who built a calculating machine that anticipated the modern electronic computer.
Ada Lovelace (1815-1852): Topic Page
English mathematician and writer who created the first program for Charles Babbage's analytical engine – she is known as the first computer programmer.
John von Neumann (1903-1957): Topic Page
The mathematician John von Neumann made important contributions to many areas of mathematics and quantum physics before turning to computers and developing the theoretical foundations of digital electronic computers.
Alan Turing (1912–1954): Topic Page
English mathematician who worked in numerical analysis and played a major part in the early development of British computers.
Stephen Wozniak (1950 - ): Topic Page
US electrical engineer and computer inventor. With Steven Jobs he formed Apple Computer in 1976 to make the Apple I. He played a major role in designing the later Apple models, Lisa and Macintosh.
Steve Jobs (1955 - 2011): Topic Page
Steve Jobs was born in San Francisco, California on 24 February 1955.
Bill Gates (1955 - ): Topic Page
US computer entrepreneur. He co-founded Microsoft Corporation in 1975, with school friend and fellow entrepreneur Paul Allen, and succeeded in converting a passion for computers into a globally dominant software business.
Michael Dell (1965- )
From The Hutchinson Unabridged Encyclopedia with Atlas and Weather Guide
US computer entrepreneur who founded the PC manufacturing company Dell Computers. He founded the company as a student with US$1,000 and the idea to sell custom-built computers directly to the consumer, cutting out the selling stages between.