History of Computer Technology

It seems that the older you get the more interesting history becomes.  One day I was talking with another engineer about Teletype machines and we were trying to remember exactly how they worked.  Some quick searches on the internet brought back more than we wanted to remember.  Most of the links below take you back to the old days when computing was tough -- teletypes, punched cards, hard drives the size of dishwashers and mag(netic) tape units the size of refrigerators.  

We didn't have computers just sitting around everywhere.  We had to walk for miles, through deep snow just to wait in line to use the computer.  Times were tough back then, but at least we were happy ... :-)

Programmable Controller

• History of factory automation as we remember it

• History of the PLC -- from the inventor of the PLC, Mr. Dick Morley

• History of Programmable Controllers -- from SoftPLC Corporation -- a little harsh but still very good

Computers

• Herman Hollerith's Tabulating Machines
• Computer Museum of America 
• American Computer Museum  
• UNIVAC memories 
• Classic Computing dot com
• Virtual Museum of Computing
• Steven Lubar's home page
• About.com's page on Herman Hollerith
• PC History   
• Greater Pittsburgh Vintage Computer Museum
• Univ. of Virginia Computer Science Computer Museum   
• Ultimate Computer Source 
• Chronology of Personal Computers   
• North American Data Communications Museum   
• News about Teletypes  
• The History of Computing Project  
• Jefferson Computer Museum  

Other

• Intel Education  history of microprocessors, how transistors work, how chips are made, computer tutorials, clean rooms, how microprocessors work, 
• Great Microprocessors of the Past and Present   
• A simple course on Microprocessors   
• Transistorized!  The history of the invention of the transistor    
• Antique Science Equipment  
• Computer History Books