History of Technology

Papers on the Relationships of People to Machines

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Vannevar Bush (1945). As We May Think (Atlantic Monthly, July 1945) -- A vision of the future in which computers assist humans in many activities.

James Fallows (July 1982). Living With a Computer By James Fallows (July 1982) ATLANTIC MAGAZINE. "Fallows was one of the first writers to incorporate a personal computer into his life, a 48K machine he bought for $4000. In 1982, he briefed readers on the experience: "The process works this way. When I sit down to write a letter or start the first draft of an article, I simply type on the keyboard and the words appear on the screen..." I CAN HARDLY BRING myself to mention the true disadvantage of computers, which is that I have become hopelessly addicted to them. "

Philip G. Hubert Jr. (February 1889) The New Talking Machines (February 1889) By Philip G. Hubert Jr. ATLANTIC MAGAZINE. " Hubert, a noted architect and writer, waxed enthusiastic about the newly invented record player: "Imagine what the phonograph will do for the man on the borders of civilization! It will supply him with books in a far more welcome shape than print, for they will read themselves ... It is even possible to imagine that many books and stories may not see the light of print at all; they will go into the hands of their readers, or hearers rather, as phonograms." ...Edison has devoted nearly two years to the task of making the phonograph of commercial use. He believes that be has succeeded. Whether or not the instrument shall enter into every-day life, as the telephone has done, is a question for the future. Certainly it is now a far greater wonder than it was in 1875, and it has reached a point where it cannot again be dropped by the scientific world. "

Arthur D. Little (July 1924) Life as We Know It. By Arthur D. Little (July 1924) ATLANTIC MAGAZINE. The founder of the world's first consulting company was looking nearly 100 years ago at the ways technology is transforming the lives of everyday Americans. " ...During the last fifty years science and invention have led us further and further from the world that was; deeper and deeper into a new environment. The process of change has been so rapid that readjustment has been difficult. Yet readjust ourselves we must, and prepare for new adjustments. "