Dealers of Lightning: Xerox PARC and the Dawn of the Computer Age

摘要: From the Publisher: Dealers of Lightning is riveting story legendary Xerox PARC — a collection eccentric young inventors brought together by Corporation at facility in Palo Alto, California, during mind-blowing intellectual ferment seventies and eighties. Here for first time Michael Hiltzik, correspondent Los Angeles Times, reveals piercing detail true extraordinary group that aimed to bring about technological dawn would change world succeeded. Based on extensive interviews with scientists, engineers, administrators, corporate executives who lived story, Dealers takes read journey from PARC's beginnings dusty, abandoned building edge Stanford University campus its triumph as hothouse ideas spawned not only personal computer, but windows-style graphical user interface, laser printer, much indispensable technology Internet, great deal more. It shows how why Xerox, despite willingness grant unlimited funding responsibility developing breakthroughs keep corporation cutting office technology, remained forever unable grasp (and, consequently, exploit) innovations delivered it details increasing frustration original many whom go build their fortunes upon very so rashly discarded. More than just historical narrative, brings life an unforgettable cast characters. Among them: Bob Taylor preacher's son rural Texas be considered prophet some cantankerous egomaniac others, whose fearless (and feared) leadership team computer renegades made them heroes embryonic Silicon Valley; Jack Goldman chief scientist convinced stolid stake tens millions dollars while warning investment might pay off years if paid all; Alan Kay creative philosophical soul, suffered ridicule envisioning could tucked under arm yet contain power store books, symphonies, letters, poems, drawings until he arrived Alto met people it; Steve Jobs who, aided Xerox's indifference most momentous inventions, staged daring raid obtain end up heart Macintosh: machine helped Apple dominate explosive new market. Dealers unprecedented look ideas, individuals propelled frontier technohistory machinations almost prevented achieving greatness.