November 2010 - Members - lists.sigcis.org

Christie's at it again
by Evan Koblentz 13 Nov '10

13 Nov '10

Christie's auction house is doing another computer history sale. All the press today is focused on their Apple 1. For the record, Apple 1 systems typically sell on eBay and among collectors and hobbyists for $15,000-$25,000. Usually one or two per year come around. Sales have been on the low side lately because of the economy. Even the deep-pocket people aren't spending too high. Christie's plans to START their bidding at $161,000. Yet the Apple 1 they're selling is not particular special (it's a high serial number) and it's been altered from original condition. http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-20022691-37.html Insanity reigns.

2 1

CFP: Spontaneous Generations: A Journal for the History and Philosophy of Science
by HAPSAT Society 12 Nov '10

12 Nov '10

*Spontaneous Generations* is an open, online, peer-reviewed academic journal published by graduate students at the Institute for the History and Philosophy of Science and Technology at the University of Toronto. *Spontaneous Generations *publishes high quality, peer-reviewed articles on any topic in the history and philosophy of science. For our general peer-reviewed section, we welcome submissions of full-length research papers on all HPS-related subjects. Scholars in all disciplines, including but not limited to HPS, STS, History, Philosophy, Women's Studies, Sociology, Anthropology, and Religious Studies are welcome to submit to our fifth (2011) issue. Papers from all historical periods are welcome. In addition to full-length peer-reviewed research papers, *Spontaneous Generations *publishes opinion essays, book reviews, and a focused discussion section consisting of short peer-reviewed and invited articles devoted to a particular theme. This year’s focus is "Science and Public Controversy." *Submission Guidelines* The journal consists of four sections: 1. The focused discussion section, this year devoted to "Science and Public Controversy" (see below). (1000-3000 words recommended.) 2. A peer-reviewed section of research papers on any topics in the fields of HPS and STS. (5000-8000 words recommended.) 3. A book review section for books published in the last 5 years. (Up to 1000 words.) 4. An opinions section that may include a commentary on or a response to current concerns, trends, and issues in HPS. (Up to 500 words.) Submissions should be sent no later than *25 February 2011* in order to be considered for the 2011 issue. For more details, please visit the journal homepage at *http://spontaneousgenerations.library.utoronto.ca/* *Focused Discussion Topic: Science and Public Controversy*** The relationship between science and the public is often framed in terms of controversy. From early modern arguments over the age of the Earth and its place in the cosmos, through twentieth century discussions of the biological credibility of racial categories, to contemporary debates over the production of genetically modified foods and the anthropogenic nature of global climate change, science has served to both create and resolve controversy. Science, in turn, has been shaped by political and social controversies. The variegated interactions throughout history between science and the public raise a host of questions, particularly concerning the *appropriate*and *inappropriate* roles of science in public life. Historical episodes of scientists engaging in public controversies offer historians and philosophers of science an ideal starting point for investigating the complicated inter-relations between scientific research and public life. In this issue of *Spontaneous Generations*, we invite papers for a focused discussion that will explore and give new perspectives on the relationship between science and public controversy from antiquity to the present. Some questions that may be addressed by papers submitted for the focused discussion section include: · What roles has science played in political and social controversies throughout history? · Is there a principled distinction between scientific and non-scientific controversies? · How has scientific change led to new discussions about and new perspectives on recurring social issues? · What does it mean to practice socially responsible science on controversial issues? · What roles have historians and philosophers of science played in public controversies involving science? What roles should we take on? · How has the development of science been shaped by public controversy over science and scientific engagement with public controversy?* * · How have different societies, at different times and in different places, related their social and political discourses to scientific discourses?** · What role have scientific ideals such as objectivity and value-neutrality played in scientific controversies and controversies about science? Please distribute freely. Apologies for cross-postings.

1 0

ICOHTEC 2011 Panel?
by John Paul Laprise 11 Nov '10

11 Nov '10

Is anyone planning on submitting a paper for ICOHTEC 2011 in Glasgow? I am working on a paper that looks at early US government discussions on Internet privatization. It would be great if we could build one or more panel submissions. Best regards, John Laprise Visiting Assistant Professor in the Communication Program Northwestern University in Qatar

1 0

New Charles Babbage Institute Newsletter (Fall 2010, Vol. 32:2)
by Charles Babbage Institute 09 Nov '10

09 Nov '10

1 0

FW: Seminar on the Newlyn-Phillips Machine, University of Leeds, Weds 10th November. 3-4pm
by Blyth Tilly 05 Nov '10

05 Nov '10

SIGCIS members may also be interested in the renovation of the Newlyn-Phillips machine and seminar below. best, Tilly Dr TIlly Blyth Curator of Computing and Information Science Museum ________________________________ From: Promoting discussion in the science studies community on behalf of Graeme Gooday Sent: Thu 11/4/2010 22:43 To: MERSENNE(a)JISCMAIL.AC.UK Subject: Seminar on the Newlyn-Phillips Machine, University of Leeds, Weds 10th November. 3-4pm "The Newlyn/Phillips Machine in the context of the Phillipsian Stabilisation Project" Speaker: Professor Robert Leeson, Stanford University. Wednesday 10th November 3p.m. to 4 p.m. Leeds University Business School, Room 1:44 (Building 19 at http://www.leeds.ac.uk/downloads/file/384/campus_map ) The Newlyn-Phillips Machine mark 1 was developed at the University of Leeds in 1949-50 by economists Walter Newlyn and Bill Phillips (LSE) and served as the prototype of the MONIAC analogue hydraulic computer. http://www.leeds.ac.uk/hpsmuseum/newlynphillips.htm <http://www.leeds.ac.uk/hpsmuseum/newlynphillips.htm> This original Newlyn-Phillips machine has recently been renovated by the University of Leeds HSTM Museum taskforce and displayed at Leeds University Business School See http://business.leeds.ac.uk/news-events/news-item/articles/2010/October/bus… Professor Robert Leeson, has taught at a variety of universities, including Stanford, Western Ontario, Murdoch and London. He is currently Campbell Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University. He has published widely on the history of macroeconomic thought and policy, for example editing A. W. H. Phillips: Collected Works in Contemporary Perspective (Cambridge University Press, 2000), and is a regular contributor to the Australian financial and general press. Professor Graeme Gooday, Head of Department Department of Philosophy, Michael Sadler Building, University of Leeds, LEEDS, LS2 9JT, United Kingdom E-mail: g.j.n.gooday(a)leeds.ac.uk Phone messages: 0113 343 3274 FAX: 0113 343 3265 ________________________________________________________________________ This email has been scanned on behalf of NMSI for all viruses by the MessageLabs Email Security System. For updates on all Science Museum news and events sign up to our free e-newsletter at www.sciencemuseum.org.uk This e-mail and attachments are intended for the named addressee only and are confidential. If you have received this e-mail in error please notify the sender immediately, delete the message from your computer system and destroy any copies. Any views expressed in this message are those of the individual sender and may not reflect the views of the National Museum of Science & Industry. This email has been scanned for all viruses by the MessageLabs Email Security System.

1 0

FW: Seminar on the Newlyn-Phillips Machine, University of Leeds, Weds 10th November. 3-4pm
by Thomas Haigh 05 Nov '10

05 Nov '10

From: Graeme Gooday Sent: 04 November 2010 22:45 To: members(a)sigcis.org Subject: Seminar on the Newlyn-Phillips Machine, University of Leeds, Weds 10th November. 3-4pm "The Newlyn/Phillips Machine in the context of the Phillipsian Stabilisation Project" Speaker: Professor Robert Leeson, Stanford University. Wednesday 10th November 3p.m. to 4 p.m. Leeds University Business School, Room 1:44 (Building 19 at http://www.leeds.ac.uk/downloads/file/384/campus_map ) The Newlyn-Phillips Machine mark 1 was developed at the University of Leeds in 1949-50 by economists Walter Newlyn and Bill Phillips (LSE) and served as the prototype of the MONIAC analogue hydraulic computer. <http://www.leeds.ac.uk/hpsmuseum/newlynphillips.htm> http://www.leeds.ac.uk/hpsmuseum/newlynphillips.htm This original Newlyn-Phillips machine has recently been renovated by the University of Leeds HSTM Museum taskforce and displayed at Leeds University Business School See http://business.leeds.ac.uk/news-events/news-item/articles/2010/October/busi ness-school-honours-newlyn-phillips/ Professor Robert Leeson, has taught at a variety of universities, including Stanford, Western Ontario, Murdoch and London. He is currently Campbell Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University. He has published widely on the history of macroeconomic thought and policy, for example editing A. W. H. Phillips: Collected Works in Contemporary Perspective (Cambridge University Press, 2000), and is a regular contributor to the Australian financial and general press. Professor Graeme Gooday, Head of Department Department of Philosophy, Michael Sadler Building, University of Leeds, LEEDS, LS2 9JT, United Kingdom E-mail: g.j.n.gooday(a)leeds.ac.uk Phone messages: 0113 343 3274 FAX: 0113 343 3265

1 0

Atanasoff patent?
by Evan Koblentz 03 Nov '10

03 Nov '10

I know Atanasoff nor his university ever filed a patent. However I've read conflicting stories about whether he began to prepare a patent; that could be just notes or even an unfiled application. Does anyone know how far he ever got with that, and if so, has anyone actually seen his pre-patent documents?

1 0

Paul Ceruzzi Quote in the Post
by David Alan Grier 02 Nov '10

02 Nov '10

The Washington Post published a "Who Invented the Computer" article and got a quote from Paul. He went with Zuse. Link is below. David http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/31/AR201010310… ---------------------------------------- David Alan Grier First Vice President 2011, IEEE Computer Society Vice President of Publications, Associate Professor of International Science and Technology Policy Center for International Science and Technology Policy Elliott School Of International Affairs George Washington University grier(a)computer.org "The Known World", IEEE Computer computer.org/theknownworld

1 0