New Board member George Dyson, (http:/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Dyson_%28science_historian) internationally known author and historian of technology whose publications broadly cover the evolution of technology, has joined the IT History Society's (www.IThistory.org) board of directors. New IT history publication James W. Cortada, founding board member of the IT History Society, noted information technology historian, author, and senior employee of IBM, has published a major history of IT entitled The Digital Flood: The Diffusion of Information Technology Across the U.S., Europe, and Asia (Oxford University Press). No technology seems to have spread so fast around the world in such a short period of time as computers. The diffusion of information technologies occurred in dozens of countries all over the world with fascinating similarities and differences. In this book, Cortada provides the first world-wide history of how computers appeared and were used in barely a half century. He explores the causes of diffusion, arguing that more than the technology itself, other conditions were required for the spread of computers, such as standards of living, education, the Cold War, and globalization of the economy. He argues that these technologies are the glue that hold together today's economies and are propelling increases in the quality of life of over a billion people moving into the middle class. Based on archival and secondary research, extensive use of economic data, and detailed country case studies of over a dozen nations, Cortada tells the history of how computers were discovered, invented, built, and used, and the consequences for whole regions. This is the first attempt by any expert to write a global history of information technologies, and specifically, about how these spread. It is economic and business history, but also a guide to those who want to understand what is happening today in such nations as India, China, and other emerging economies as the Computer Revolution continues. He has insights for historians, economists, public officials, and business executives. You can acquire it from any online bookseller, such as Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Here is one fast way to get to it for more information and to order a copy, http://www.amazon.com/The-Digital-Flood-Information-Technology/dp/0199921555 / The IT History Society Honor Roll On the IT History Society website, there is a special section called the IT History Society Honor Roll that to date is comprised of 1,028 individuals that have made an out of the ordinary contribution but necessarily extra ordinary contribution to the information industry. This honored list covers many individuals that span the formation of our industry. Please when you have time take a look at the honor roll at <http://ithistory.org/honor_roll/honor-roll-alpha.php> http://ithistory.org/honor_roll/honor-roll-alpha.php. In your review if you notice that someone that in your opinion is a candidate to be include in the Honor Roll, please submit an entry at <http://ithistory.org/honor_roll/fame-form.php> http://ithistory.org/honor_roll/fame-form.php or just drop us an email at info@ithistory.org. The IT History Society Hardware Database Today the hardware database <http://ithistory.org/hardware/hardware-name.php> http://ithistory.org/hardware/hardware-name.php has 11,717 entries and growing at 100+ entries a week. If you notice that, especially older devices, that are not listed, please enter them at <http://ithistory.org/hardware/hardware-form.php> http://ithistory.org/hardware/hardware-form.php or drop us a note at info@ithistory.org. Website Traffic We are pleased that the IT History Society website is being used more and more from people that have an interest IT history from all over the world. One year ago for a 30-day period, we had 1,058 visitors and the same 30-day period this month we have 16,492 visitors for an increase 15 fold. Thank you for your support. IT History Society One Blackfield Drive - Suite 331 Tiburon, CA 94920 (415) 435-2263 <mailto:info@ITHistory.org> info@ITHistory.org <http://www.ithistory.org/> www.ITHistory.org Sm logo dropEnsuring the Future by Preserving the Past <http://www.twitter.com/ithistoryorg> twitter <http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/It-History-Society/143799552346273> find-us-on-facebook <https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=RRE7C2 JV47KKJ> btn_donate_LG
