Review of 'Computing in Russia' Explores Soviet Computer History and Technological Parallels
Released in 2001, 'Computing in Russia' delves into the evolution of computer technology during the Soviet era, particularly early computational systems. Edited by Georg Trogemann, Alexander Y. Nitussov, and Wolfgang Ernst, it includes insights from Russian innovators. Notably, the MESM, recognized as Europe's first electronic digital computer, was created in a Kiev monastery. Prominent contributors are Sergey Alexeevich Lebedev, Zinoviy L. Rabinovich, Viktor M. Glushkov, and Bashir I. Rameyev. The text emphasizes Soviet technological progress compared to the West, highlighting Lebedev's work on binary coding during WWII. The adoption of the IBM 360 standard in 1970 impeded Russian advancements. It also addresses the Russian cybernetic movement and the struggles of scientists like Boris Gnadenko, despite criticisms of its layout, providing valuable historical perspectives, including the privatization of Lebedev's institute in the 1990s.
Key facts
- The book 'Computing in Russia' was published in 2001 by editors Georg Trogemann, Alexander Y. Nitussov, and Wolfgang Ernst.
- It details the development of early Soviet computers, highlighting the MESM as Europe's first operating electronic digital computer, created in Kiev.
- Key pioneers include Sergey Alexeevich Lebedev, Zinoviy L. Rabinovich, Viktor M. Glushkov, and Bashir I. Rameyev.
- The MESM was developed in a former monastery in Kiev that had been used as a psychiatric clinic and military hospital.
- In 1970, the Soviet Union adopted the IBM 360 standard, leading to a decline in indigenous Russian computer development.
- The book compares Western and Soviet technological advances, noting parallel innovations in computing and cybernetics.
- It discusses the privatization of Lebedev's institute into the Elbrus company in the 1990s, led by Boris Babaian.
- The review criticizes the book's layout for being unappealing and lacking an index, but praises its unique historical insights.
Entities
Artists
- Phillip Von Hilgers
- Georg Trogemann
- Alexander Y. Nitussov
- Wolfgang Ernst
- Zinoviy L. Rabinovich
- Sergey Alexeevich Lebedev
- Boris N. Malinovskiy
- Alan Turing
- Viktor M. Glushkov
- Bashir I. Rameyev
- Boris Gnadenko
- Markov junior
- Kolmogorov
- Nobert Wiener
- Claude Shannon
- Karl Steinbuch
- Jacques Riguet
- Donald Knuth
- Steven C. Kleene
- Al-Khorezmi
- Babbage
- Hollerith
- Semen N. Korsakov
- Shestakov
- von Neumann
- Shockley
- John Bardeen
- Walter Brattain
- Vadim Lashkarev
- Nikolay A. Bernstein
- Koopmann
- Leonid V. Kantorovich
- Yaroslav A. Khategurov
- Boris Babaian
- Seymour Cray
- Dave Ditzel
- Linus Thorvaldsen
- Ingeborg Rocker
Institutions
- Vieweg
- Transmediale
- IBM
- AT&T
- Intel
- Microsoft
- Transmeta
- Elbrus
Locations
- Russia
- Soviet Union
- Berlin
- Germany
- Kiev
- Ukraine
- Moscow
- USA
- Western Europe
- Eastern Europe
- Khorezm
- Usbekistan
- France
- Silicon Valley
- Alaska
- Mount Elbrus
- Mount McKinley