About this item
Click. Whir. Buzz.Not so long ago, math problems had to be solved with pencil and paper, mail delivered by postman, and files were stored in paper folders and metal cabinets. But three women, Betty Snyder, Jean Jennings, and Kay McNulty knew there could be a better way. During World War II, people hoped ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer) , one of the earliest computers, could help with the war effort. With little guidance, no instructions, and barely any access to the machine itself, Betty, Jean, and Kay used mathematics, electrical engineering, logic, and common sense to command a computer as large as a room and create the modern world. The machine was like Betty, requiring outside-the-box thinking, like Jean, persistent and consistent, and like Kay, no mistakes, every answer perfect. Today computers are all around us, performing every conceivable task, thanks, in large part, to Betty, Jean, and Kay's pioneering work. Instructions Not Included is their story.This fascinating chapter in history is brought to life with vivid prose by Tami Lewis Brown and Debbie Loren Dunn and with striking illustrations by Chelsea Beck. Detailed back matter including historical photos provides a closer look.
About the Author
TAMI LEWIS BROWN holds an MFA in Writing for Children from Vermont College. She has been a lawyer, and more recently, writer-in-residence and librarian at The Sheridan School in Washington, D.C. Tami is the author of WE REALLY DO CARE (Philomel, 2019) a picture book about compassion, empathy and the value of even the smallest act of kindness, and INSTRUCTIONS NOT INCLUDED (Disney/Hyperion, 2019) a picture book biography of the team of women became the first computer programmers. Her forthcoming books include PERKIN'S PURPLE (Disney/Hyperion, 2020) about a boy named William Perkin who invented the first synthetic colors and changed the way scientists approach chemistry and the scientific method and ART IS LIFE (FSG Books for Young Readers, 2020) a biography of Pop artist Keith Haring. Tami Lewis Brown grew up in Kentucky and attended Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. Now she lives in one of the oldest houses in Washington, D.C.Tami's website includes activity kits, interviews, newsreels and photos for all of her books. Visit her at www.TamiLewisBrown.com
