ENIAC

The Triumphs and Tragedies of the World's First Computer

By: Scott McCartney

Narrated by: Adams Morgan

Length: 6 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

For all his genius, John von Neumann was not, as he is generally credited, the true father of the modern computer. That honor belongs to the two men - John Mauchly and Presper Eckert - who built the world's first programmable computer, the legendary ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer). Mauchly and Eckert, who met in 1941, developed a revolutionary vision: to make electricity "think." Funded by the U.S. Army, the team they led constructed a behemoth - weighing 30 tons with 18,000 vacuum tubes and miles of wiring - that blazed a trail to the next generation of computers that quickly followed, and in the process ignited a controversy over ownership that exists to this day. After their groundbreaking achievement, Mauchly and Eckert were shadowed by personal tragedies and professional setbacks as their accomplishment was laid claim to by others. They formed the world's first computer company, the Eckert-Mauchly Computer Corporation, but were quickly outdistanced by IBM.

Based on original interviews with surviving participants and the first study of Mauchly and Eckert's personal papers, ENIAC is a dramatic human story and a vital contribution to the history of technology, and it restores to the two inventors the legacy they deserve.

©1999 by Scott McCartney (P)1999 by Blackstone Audiobooks

A well told story about unheralded giants

As an It executive I was ashamed to realize that I did not now the names of the inventors of the first electronic computer. Nor did I know that they actuall held the patent to the computer. I loved every minute of this salute to these pioneers.

Wonderful documentary; overly-animated performance

While the writing and reading of this non-fiction was top-notch, the animated style of the reader would sometimes cause words to fall below hearing threshold. This was especially noticable on speakers. Also, the stitching together of the original tracks was conspicuous.

Love it!

Any additional comments?

This story is about the men who made what we know about the modern computer a reality and the story is worth knowing. It also explains to some extent the technical specs of their creation. Plus the narrator is quite good. I recommend it for history buffs, nerds, or anyone who enjoys a little nostalgia.

A gripping, fascinating story--highly recommended!

Did you know that the first "computers" were actually women who computed artillery tables during WWII, & the machine was named after them? That the first real computer programmers were also women? Or that if the U.S. hadn't been desperate for a way to compute more artillery tables for the War, ENIAC would probably never have been built?

As a computer science student trying to improve my general background knowledge about computer hardware & history, I loved this book! Somehow the class I took on Computer Architecture made alot more sense when talking about complex computer fundamentals in terms of cables and vacuum tubes rather than integrated circuits and D flip-flops. If you work in IT, want to better understand hardware, or are a computer and history junky, this book is for you! Also, Mauchly & Eckert may have been great inventors, but they were terrible businessmen. This book is a fabulous case study on how great innovation without business savvy can be taken to the cleaners.

A Great Intro To Computer History

A nice history of the creator of the modern electronic computer, and perfect for anyone who doesn't know where computers come from (my university students once guessed that the first electronic computer was made in 1886). McCartney does the basic job of covering the start of the computer age in this book, but he never really gets very deep. What surprised me was how much the author felt the need to include explanations of contextual situations, as when he mentioned the supply of gas ration coupons--the whole reason for such rationing had to be explained. This always gave the book a feeling that its target audience is ten year old school kids (and I am going to get my kids to read it). I also got the feeling that this ground has already been covered and it is so far from the event now that there is not much new to uncover.

Great book; flawed narration

I’ve always enjoyed books on the history of computers and this one focuses more in depth on the creators of the first real computer. The only flaw is the narrator and production. For some reason the narrators voice trails off into near silence at the end of sentences and paragraphs, requiring me to rewind often.

Computing history has never been as entertaining.

This is a fantastic audio book. Not only is the story interesting and the writing fluent, but also the narrator speaks with an intrigued anticipation, making this audio book an engulfing peace of obscure history. The only disappointment is that the last hour is dedicated to citations, so you really only get about six-and-a-half-hours of story. Although, I hate to call journalistic integrity a disappointment.

If you care anything at all about computers this is worth a listen.

New Tech, Old Problems

Loved the story and the realization how some things never change in IT. The project timelines, night owls, lack of recognition for women, eccentric visionaries, plagiarism, suicidal wives of engineers, taking things apart to see how they work... Today's IT may look shiny and new but underneath that polished surface is the same old shit that was there from the beginning, we just got better at marketing and design lol

Great Book!

What made the experience of listening to ENIAC the most enjoyable?

Great book! I especially liked "The Ancestors", a chapter presented early in the book which gave a brief, concise history of technological development. It has always fascinated me and the book and narration did a tremendous job in communicating what happened. The last third of the book tends to drag on a bit but I really think it is more what actually happened and thus the author just captured that in this book. Easy to understand, easy to follow along, great for anyone who has an interesting in the development of technology in general and computers specifically.

What did you like best about this story?

The chapter on the origins of computers.

Have you listened to any of Adams Morgan’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

"The Ancestors" chapter.

Great computer history book

Does into the professional and personal lives of the original creators of the computer and describes the relatable experience of today about lawsuits and court battles.