Technology

Transistors, How do they work ?

Transistors are one of modern society's most important inventions and are used both for amplification of electrical signals and as switches. This explains how this miracle technology works.

“What Should a Well-Informed Person Know About Computers?” — by Brian Kernighan

Invited presentation at a meeting of the Old Guard of Summit NJ on January 5, 2021. Brian Kernighan is a professor of computer science at Princeton University and one of the original Unix pioneers at Bell Labs. Brian described his experiences teaching "Computers in Our World," a first year course designed to inform non-technical students how modern hardware, software and communications systems operate, and their ubiquitous role in today's world. It was a 45-minute version of his one-semester talk!

Some Early Machines by Tim Hunkin

"Gladys, the burglar catcher: The Insomniac's friend: The disgusting Spectacle: The Barman: Goliath, the nut cracker: The Zoo: Air Raid: The Oracle: Medieval clock: The builder and his wife: Climax: The executive decision maker: The dancing record player: The automatic bag searcher."