Introductory Overview

This chapter contains, first, a brief, but very crucial technical and practical insight into the software environment. Being able to understand the practice at least to some extent is necessary to be able to better comprehend both the way in which the historiography is undertaken in this study and the findings that it produces. Second, a brief outline of the historical events is provided to give an initial overview of the central historical individuals and computer technology milestones from the outset. This overview provides a foundation for understanding Parts II and III , which examine these individuals and milestones in greater depth.