Isaacson’s thesis for this book is that while we tend to associate major inventions to a single name, there’s frequently a cast of characters that play critical but uncredited roles in making these things happen.

Basically, the power of collaboration, even when we don’t see it that way in hindsight.

And he’s probably right, but who cares? This book is FANTASTIC as a series of stories about weirdos, misfits and eccentrics with wild imaginations that make up the history of tech. His storytelling is extremely vivid, and he does a killer job of making these people three-dimensional.

Funny that this came out the same year as Halt and Catch Fire premiered — they feel like companion pieces. Simliar in tone to The Soul of a New Machine.

Loved this.