Computers and Commerce: A Study of Technology and Management at Eckert-Mauchly Computer Company, Engineering Research Associates, and Remington Rand, 1946-1957 … Associates, and Remington Rand, 1946-1957

Between 1946 and 1957 computing went from a preliminary, developmental
stage to more widespread use accompanied by the beginnings of the digital computer
industry. During this crucial decade, spurred by rapid technological advances, the
computer enterprise became a major phenomenon. In Computers and Commerce, Arthur
Norberg explores the importance of these years in the history of computing by
focusing on technical developments and business strategies at two important firms,
both established in 1946, Engineering Research Associates (ERA) and Eckert-Mauchly
Computer Company (EMCC), from their early activities through their acquisition by
Remington Rand.Both ERA and EMCC had their roots in World War II, and in postwar
years both firms received major funding from the United States government. Norberg
analyzes the interaction between the two companies and the government and examines
the impact of this institutional context on technological innovation. He assesses
the technical contributions of such key company figures as J. Presper Eckert, John
Mauchly, Grace Hopper, and William Norris, analyzing the importance of engineering
knowledge in converting theoretical designs into workable machines. Norberg looks at
the two firms' operations after 1951 as independent subsidiaries of Remington Rand,
and documents the management problems that began after Remington Rand merged with
Sperry Gyroscope to form Sperry Rand in 1955.