{"product_id":"pebbles-to-computers-the-thread-9780195405361","title":"Pebbles to Computers: The Thread","description":"\u003cp\u003eUsing an exciting synthesis of text and pictures  photographer Hans Blohm and scientist Stafford Beers present a graphic exploration of the connections between prehistoric and antique technologies and those of our modern world. In this inventive book  a Byzantine sun-dial and a modern satellite signal receiver are among the many images that have been chosen to show the thread connecting our efforts down the ages to use and record information. The story of computation emerges as the central theme. By tracing its development from the earliest use of pebbles through the abacus  the slide rule and finally to the most sophisticated modern circuits  the authors present a convincing argument that high tech does indeed go back to the dawn of time. Blohm and Beers have travelled from Stonehenge to the Pyramid of the Sun in Mexico  marvelled over Leonardos inventions in Milan and examined Leibnizs calculator in Hanover in their search for evidence of the patterns of human invention. They isolate some critical issues in the development of technology  such as the reproduction of written language  and cover many of the outstanding names: Archimedes  Caxton  Pascal  Babbage and Turing among others. With an introduction by renowned zoologist David Suzuki  Pebbles to Computers is a remarkable testament to the depth and richness of humanitys technological achievements.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45647000371253,"sku":"ByrdShop_0195405366","price":71.39,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/9780195405361.jpg?v=1781684972","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/pebbles-to-computers-the-thread-9780195405361","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}