Before the computer

"The computer didn't spring full-blown from the brows of men like Steve Jobs and
Bill Gates. The automation movement that prepared the way for today's personal
computer, the author shows, began in the 19th century with the invention of the
typewriter and the adding machine."

Washington Post Book World

"This beautifully produced book ... makes an essential contribution to the history
of data processing and computing. Its data alone should make the book a basic reference for scholars."

STEVEN W. USSELMAN, American Scientist

"Easily the best attempt to date to integrate the present-day computer industry with its office machine past. It is strongly recommended as a significant contribution to the literature of the history of computing and the information handling industries."

MARTIN CAMPBELL-KELLY, Business History

"Cortada's book will be a valuable source to business and economic historians.... [It opens] a vast field for further exploration by others."

Joanne YATES, Journal of Economic History

James W. Cortada is an executive consultant with IBM corporation. He is the author of over a dozen books on the history of computing and the management of information processing. Some of his most recent books include Into the Internet Age, Rise of the Knowledge Worker, and IT Best Practices.