The Code
By Margaret O'Mara
Silicon Valley and the Remaking of America. Penguin Press, 2019.
Summary of The Code book by Margaret O'Mara
The definitive, revealing account of Silicon Valley’s emergence as the world’s technological epicenter and the myth of the lone genius entrepreneurs behind it all, explaining the role the US government, the military complex, and academic research played in shaping this legendary valley.
Chapters in The Code book summary
What do you get from this book? A behind-the-scenes chronicle of the forces behind the American Big Tech Industry
Northern California’s Silicon Valley is a technological hub with a hidden history of timely academic research and government projects
The US government’s desire for nuclear weapons was the impetus behind Stanford’s technology complex
When Fairchild Semiconductor launched, its success coincided with further government support and silicon chips were invented
The push for a large-scale computer network led to ARPANET, a revolutionary technology that later became the internet
Sexism and racism were prevalent in Silicon Valley even as computers inspired a culture based on personal empowerment
The passionate Homebrew Computer Club was an enormous influence on the rise of personal computers
With an economic downturn, VCs hesitated to invest in tech companies, but tech industry leaders successfully lobbied to lower tax rates
Reagan’s policy changes and political support in California significantly impacted Silicon Valley’s tech industry
IBM and Microsoft’s partnership—and Steve Jobs’ vision—changed how computers were made and marketed to consumers
Environmental issues and internet security concerns drew reporters’ attention in the 1990s
The dot-com bubble grew throughout the ‘90s as the internet received support from developers and politicians
While Microsoft was dealing with legal issues, Google ushered in a new wave of groundbreaking technology
The US government’s lack of oversight has given rise to troubling developments amidst cloud-based services
Summary of the key insights
Selected critiques in brief
Final word
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The Code — Book Summary Snapshot
Who should read The Code book
- Entrepreneurs and investors
- economics students
- policy makers
- anyone interested in the rise of the tech industry
About the author of The Code
Margaret O'Mara
Margaret O’Mara is an American historian, researcher, and political activist. She was a staff member in the Clinton White House and has served as a history professor at the University of Washington. O'Mara’s central studies focus on the integration of politics and technology. She is a Distinguished Lecturer of the Organization of American Historians.
Books similar to The Code
Related books that explore themes found in The Code
Antonio Garcia Martinez
Obscene Fortune and Random Failure in Silicon Valley. Harper, 2016.
Nikil Saval
A Secret History of the Workplace. Public Doubleday, 2014.
Arnold Thackray
The Life of Gordon Moore, Silicon Valley’s Quiet Revolutionary. Basic Books, 2015.
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