A People's History of Computing in the United States

In "A People’s History of Computing," Joy Rankin illuminates the innovative landscape of the pre-personal computer era, revealing a diverse community of educators and students who pioneered early computing practices in the 1960s and 1970s. Centered in regions like New Hampshire, Minnesota, and Illinois, these unsung figures engaged in activities such as message exchanges, programming music, and creating games like The Oregon Trail. Rankin argues that their contributions are as significant as those of later tech giants in shaping the digital world and advocates for a more democratic approach to computing, laying the groundwork for contemporary discussions on net neutrality and public access to the internet.