Exam History of Science

Date: Monday January 30th, 2023 Lecturer: dr. D.J. Beckers

Time: 2h 15min Course code: FEW XB 0076

In general:
(1) Make sure your name and student number are on ALL your work.
(2) Answer in English sentences. Spelling and grammar should be correct either by English or by US
standards. Just a few buzzwords never constitute an answer. Always explain yourself. Use
appropriate examples to illustrate your answer.
(3) This exam consists of 6 A-questions, 14 B-questions, 5 C-questions and 1 “NO BONUS”
question. The A-questions are about the lectures; the B-questions refer to information from the
book by Haigh and Ceruzzi. The C-questions require you to combine the information from the
book and lectures in your answer.
(4) You pick four question: 1 A-question, 2 B-questions and 1 C-question. Each of these is worth 2
points. Indicate clearly which questions you're answering by mentioning either the number and /
or the title of the question in your answer. If you answer more than two A-questions, only the first
two will be considered. Likewise for the B- and C-questions.
(5) If you're not entitled to the bonus point, you do the “NO BONUS” question, which is worth 1 point.

A-Questions:
1. Turing machine
The Turing machine has often been presented anachronistically as “the first computer”. Elaborate on one
of these instances, and explain why, in your example, the anachronism was committed.
2. 1984
Describe two ways in which the novel 1984 played a role in the history of computing.
3. Defining technology
Explain Bolter's concept of defining technology. Use an example to illustrate your explanation.
4. Computer manufacturers
Elaborate on the relative success of one of the non-US computer manufacturers in the 1950s. Discuss
both the success and why this was relative.
5. Systems thinking
To what extent was 1950s/60s systems thinking driven by computer science?
6. Movies
Computer technology changed 1980-2000 movie culture in various ways. Elaborate on two of these.

B-Questions:
1. Inventing the computer
Why do Haigh and Ceruzzi start their “inventing the computer” with ENIAC? Provide at least two reasons.
2. Science
Describe a scientific practice that stimulated 1950s computing. Indicate how it influenced computing.
3. Data processing
Explain the role of software in the history of the computer becoming a data processing device.
4. Real time
Describe the military origin of real time computing technology. Mention at least two specific projects.
5. Interactive tool
Discuss two examples of how timesharing systems in the 1960s were scaled up.
6. Communications platform
To what extent did the history of 1970s rise of e-mail services illustrate the shift from networking as a
scientific or military tool, to the basis of a business plan?
7. Personal plaything
Describe two of the driving forces in the rise of personal computers. Mention at least two specific
machines or persons involved.
8. Office equipment
What changed in the meaning of “word processor” between 1950 and 1980? To what extent was that
induced by the rise of the computer as office equipment?
9. Graphical tool
Describe two of the Paolo Alto research projects that stimulated the rise of the GUI.
10. Mini-computer
Discuss two ways in which the pc became a mini-computer, according to Ceruzzi and Haigh.
11. Universal media device
How do Haigh and Ceruzzi explain the 1990s opposition of musicians to the cd? Give two reasons
12. Publishing platform
The browser wars were important, but not for the reasons people thought at the time. Explain this remark.
13. Network
To what extent did network technology in the 1980s adopt computing. Or was it the other way around?
14. Everywhere and nowhere
Which technologies merged into the smartphone? Describe a history of one of these technologies.

C-Questions:
1. Perceptions
The rise of computing changed peoples' perception of reality. Discuss an example of this changing
perception in the 1960s or 70s and indicate the connection to computing.
2. Theoretical and practical universality
In the book, the authors distinguish between theoretical and practical universality of computers. Explain
their point of view by elaborating on two examples.

3. Internet and mass media

With the rise of Internet, the history of computing becomes entangled with the history of mass media.
Discuss two examples that illustrate this statement.
4. Platform economy
The rise of the platform economy followed very different trajectories in the US and Europe. Explain that
remark, and in your answer, discuss two of the typical examples that illustrate these trajectories.
5. Ubiquity
To what extent does the ubiquity of computing equipment make the computer invisible?

NO BONUS Question:
Which machine may be considered the first computer? Explain your choice.