From Library Journal
Written to accompany the opening of a major new gallery at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum, this book is unique in its coverage and fills a large gap in the literature on the development of aviation and space technology. The interaction of aerospace and computer technologies accelerated the development of each and also produced many spinoffs for commercial computer applications. Computers were first used in aviation in the 1940s, but the real revolution started in 1975. Computers have since been used in the design, manufacture, testing, flight control, and simulation of air and spacecraft. Developments in projects such as inertial navigation, Whirlwind, Apollo, and Minuteman are discussed at length. This is great reading with excellent photos. It will appeal to a wide audience and is highly recommended for general collections.
- William McIntyre, New Hampshire Vocational-Technical Lib., NashuaCopyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Book Description
Computers and flying machines are two dominant technologies of our time. Beyond the Limits shows the ways in which they interact, clearly illustrating the complex issues and devices involved in their mutual evolution. It describes and illustrates how computer technology has affected the theory and practice of the engineering and operations of aircraft and spacecraft from 1945 to the present. Paul Ceruzzi points out that the "revolution" in aerospace technology has been going on for at least forty years. For the first time, he tells how modern flight depends on computers, how this came about, and what its consequences are. He brings to light new facets of the individual stories of aerospace and computing, while also revealing more general themes about the dynamics and evolution of these modern technologies. Spacecraft and fighters make use of leading-edge computer technologies in their design, testing manufacture, navigation and operation; moreover pilots and astronauts rely on computer simulations throughout their training. Ceruzzi describes these technologies and their history. In separate chapters he focuses on Northrop ("midwife of the computer industry"), missile tracking, Whirlwind, Apollo, Minuteman, and the software involved. An appendix discusses the role that on-board and ground computers played in the explosion of the space shuttle Challenger.
