Thinking Machines

I really enjoy reading about computer history. There are a few reasons.

1. Computer History is navel gazing something I enjoy already. The books and essays make what I do for a living seem important.
2. I have a core belief that today's computer industry is re-inventing the breakthroughs from 20-30 years ago. Reading the history helps me get the "next big thing".
3. The characters in my industry fascinate me. Ultimately, the history of my industry is the very personal story of some very smart and sometimes very odd people.

So if you like computer history you might want to check out this essay entitled,"Richard Feynman and The Connection Machine", by W. Daniel Hillis that appears on the Long Now web site. I have worked some some smart people iin my life, but what a treat to work with someone like Richard Feynman. The Thinking Machine alumni list is pretty amazing.