New Computer Science Elective Examines the History of Computing

A new course about the history of information systems will be offered by Ying Wu College of Computing this spring, where students will learn about everything from calculation methods of ancient and medieval times, through early visions of mechanical computer architecture in the Industrial Age, straight through to the pioneers of 20th-century solid-state electronics and digital networks.

By studying history, students will gain a broader context of modern computing and will be better prepared to understand and make informed decisions in their careers as software developers, system administrators and eventually managers.

CS-485, Special Topics: Introduction to Computing History, is open to all NJIT students regardless of year, major or college. There are no prerequisites, although freshmen and sophomores may need a permit.

Lectures will aim to open student's eyes to the rich history of computing. Students will learn not only about inventions in hardware, software and services, but also about the inventors, their motivations and the historical contexts. There will be guest speakers and hands-on exposure to historic systems, virtually and in person.

Students will also learn about major developments in computer history that happened throughout New Jersey and, in some cases, here at NJIT. The university's computer history was featured in three articles published in 2019, looking at NJIT's first digital computer, an early social media system and the microcomputer invasion.

The author and instructor, Evan Koblentz, worked as a historian of computing for many years. Most notably he founded and was executive director of Vintage Computer Federation, a nationwide non-profit organization that enables vintage computer collectors and spreads awareness about the history of computing. In addition to studying history and teaching, he is a writer in NJIT's Office of Strategic Communications.

"Most of us take computing and computers for granted," said Craig Gotsman, dean of Ying Wu College of Computing. "Few realize how much and how quickly the technology has evolved over a mere 60 years, completely dwarfing the two industrial revolutions (the invention of steam and electricity) from previous centuries. Putting this in a historical context will allow our students to better appreciate the technology and its heritage, adding an extra important dimension to their studies."

Click "learn more" below for additional information about the new course.