Well, Lars Heide's book will have a decent coverage. I also wrote a review of "Punched-Card Systems and the Early Information Explosion, 1880-1945" for the Business History Review (Summer 2010 issue). I share Tom' reaction. If there is something to discuss about Lars' book, it should rather be found within its scope and the problems it addresses. For instance, the distinction betwen closures 1 and 2. Anyway, it is a heroic attempt to construct a global view of this complex part of history. Best, Pierre E. Mounier-Kuhn Le 13 mai 10 à 18:12, Ceruzzi, Paul a écrit :

I reviewed Lars Heide's book more favorably:

Review of Lars Heide, Punched-Card Systems and the Early Information Explosion, 1880-1945, in the Journal for the American Society for Information Science and Technology 61/2 (Feb. 2010), p. 428

I can post the text of my review, but perhaps it would be more appropriate for you to find it online.

Paul Ceruzzi

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Original message from Tom:

While I'm here: the guy who reviewed Lars Heide's book seemed rather grumpy! Or rather he didn't have any interest in the use and development of punched card technology except in as much as it might have had a major social impact. So let me add that it is well worth reading and is by far the broadest and deepest account so far published of the evolution of punched card machine applications over a range of countries and industries. In exploring the shaping of technology by users it is an excellent complement to JoAnne Yates' work on punched card use in the insurance industry.

If you come across other reviews of interest to readers on the list please feel free to link or forward to our list.

Tom

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