Commercial applications of the digital computer in American corporations, 1945-1995

This paper describes the commercial applications of the digital computer in the United States over the past 50 years. It suggests that as technology improved, new uses for computers appeared. Looking at major types of applications common to all industries and then at industry-specific uses, the author identifies several historically important phases in the adoption of applications. He suggests that future research should focus on the history of applications and, more specifically, by industry.