Abstract :
This department attempts to help people think about the history of computing in new ways, through the mechanism of questions, with answers on a separate page - thus permitting the reader to do self-testing. The answers list source material for further self-study on topics relating to the questions. Occasionally some questions will be used that have either no answers or controversial answers. If no specific source is provided, the answer represents the judgment of the department editor (usually supported by documents that are not publicly available). Readers who disagree with an answer, have further information, or wish their comments printed should send the material to the department editor.