"This book is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the profound impact of technology on our lives and the leaders who dared to dream."
- Philippe Ensarguet, VP Software Engineering, Orange
"As well as providing an informative history, Jamie Dobson draws out the lessons we can learn from how things developed and suggests how they might apply in the era of AI."
- Steve Freeman, Principal Engineer, Gousto
"More than just a book on tech history, this is an enjoyable journey through the failure-fuelled cultures that powered innovation, ultimately leading to the cloud and AI. Thoroughly engaging and thought provoking."
- Daniel Vaughn, Director of Software Engineering, Mastercar"
"This is an entertaining romp through the history of technology, telling the stories of key people to illustrate fundamental principles along the way."
- Adrian Cockcroft, former cloud architect at Netflix and AW
Discover the domino effect of innovation – those unexpected connections and coincidences that have triggered ideas, innovation, experimentation and technological revolution. And, along the way, meet an eccentric cast of fascinating characters that include a video-rental entrepreneur, a bookseller-turned-tech titan, scientists electrifying frogs, a teenage cybercriminal and the brilliant minds who fled Nazi-occupied Europe to reshape computing forever.
With wit, insight and a touch of irreverence, industry expert Jamie Dobson tells a gripping tale of risk-takers and revolutionaries, taking you on a whirlwind ride through tech’s surprising history that’s bigger, bolder and more astonishing than you ever imagined.