This is a history of how over a dozen American industries have used computers and been affected by them in the financial, telecommunications, media, and entertainment industries since 1950. It explores the role this technology played, how it changed the work done, and the effects on companies, industries, and the American economy. It argues that what was done within industries fundamentally changed as a result of the massive use of all manner of information technologies and telecommunications. By the end of the 20th century this created a new digital style of working. It is based on extensive ... More

This is a history of how over a dozen American industries have used computers and been affected by them in the financial, telecommunications, media, and entertainment industries since 1950. It explores the role this technology played, how it changed the work done, and the effects on companies, industries, and the American economy. It argues that what was done within industries fundamentally changed as a result of the massive use of all manner of information technologies and telecommunications. By the end of the 20th century this created a new digital style of working. It is based on extensive research and is organized by chapters describing what happened, one industry after another. This is a business history, not a history of technology.