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The Dream Machine

M. Mitchell Waldrop

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Founder connections

  • Patrick CollisonRead and recommended
    In his 2018 interview with Tim Ferriss, Collison says he finished The Dream Machine and bought copies to give to people at Stripe and to friends. He praises its detailed account of the ideas behind computing. He does not identify the edition he read; the registry uses the 2018 Stripe Press edition.
    Source
  • Tobi LütkePraised Stripe Press edition
    His original 2021 post names The Dream Machine, calls it a great book and specifies Stripe Press.
    Source

Summary

M. Mitchell Waldrop traces the growth of interactive computing through the life of J. C. R. Licklider. The book follows the ideas and research that helped turn computers from data-processing machines into tools for individuals and laid foundations for the internet. The Stripe Press edition also includes three of Licklider's influential writings.

  • SourceStripe Press: The Dream Machine · Opening book description: Licklider, interactive computing, research leading to the internet and the new edition's three writings

Why read it Our view

Useful for studying how a technical vision develops through research and support for other people. Licklider's role offers a way to think about work that helps others build. Read it as computing history and examine the conditions that made those efforts possible before drawing lessons for your own company.