From its beginnings in the 1920s until its demise in the 1980s; Bell Labs-officially; the research and development wing of ATT-was the biggest; and arguably the best; laboratory for new ideas in the world. From the transistor to the laser; from digital communications to cellular telephony; it's hard to find an aspect of modern life that hasn't been touched by Bell Labs. In The Idea Factory; Jon Gertner traces the origins of some of the twentieth century's most important inventions and delivers a riveting and heretofore untold chapter of American history. At its heart this is a story about the life and work of a small group of brilliant and eccentric men-Mervin Kelly; Bill Shockley; Claude Shannon; John Pierce; and Bill Baker-who spent their careers at Bell Labs. Today; when the drive to invent has become a mantra; Bell Labs offers us a way to enrich our understanding of the challenges and solutions to technological innovation. Here; after all; was where the foundational ideas on the management of innovation were born.
#377927 in Books Penguin Books 2012-04-24 2012-04-24Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 7.80 x .70 x 5.10l; .50 #File Name: 0143121928336 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Insightful Memoir from a True Citizen of the WorldBy Chimonsho"Border Passage" is a very significant 20C memoir. Ahmed; a professor of religion; has spent much of her academic career demonstrating the complexity of Islamic faith; the unacknowledged roles of Muslim women. A key insight here is her assertion that "women's Islam" is different from that of men: more private and less strident; perhaps more tolerant; worth attentive consideration. Though she emphasizes liberal elements of Islam; she is no apologist. Though some parts are less than scintillating; it is always readable. Her own story is most instructive; describing extensive travels for education and teaching; offering thoughtful comments on various people and places. "Border Passage" provides essential personal context for her scholarly work; also revealing key aspects of Middle Eastern and world history. It presents penetrating insights into the varieties of Islam; the modern encounter between West and non-West (sic); varied aspects of nationalism; the impact of education migration on women.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. I especially liked the chapter about who she wasBy ClifCI especially liked the chapter about who she was: an Egyptian or an Arab; since this is the sort of self-identification we all can think about. I had heard this question in another context before: what are we first; Americans or Christians.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Thoughtful and informative bookBy bubbieI really appreciated Leila Ahmed's thoughtful and informative book; "A Border Passage: From Cairo to America--A Woman's Journey". She grew up a Muslim; in Cairo. Her maternal grandparents were quite wealthy; but when Nasser came to power; most of their wealth was snatched away. Leila tells of her idyllic childhood in Cairo; then her schooling in England. She eventually went on to teach in the UAE and the US. Towards the end of her book; she addressed what it was to be both a Muslim and a feminist. Here is where I could only read a few paragraphs at a time; as I would have to put the book down so I could ruminate over what she had written. It wasn't that it was hard to comprehend; it's just that I wanted to savor the ideas. This is what a good book does. I was enchanted by this book because the first 4/5 were memoirs; and the last 1/5 was a philosophical dissection. Very sweet book. I have recommended it in a chat room as a "must read" book.
