This volume investigates the foundational concepts and historical evolution of computer science through the primary source lectures of the first twenty recipients of the ACM Turing Award. The ACM staff compiles these addresses to provide a comprehensive look at the intellectual landscape of the field between 1966 and 1985. By documenting the insights of 23 prominent computer scientists, the text establishes a historical framework for understanding the development of modern computing theory and practice.

Experts and historians of technology frequently cite this collection as a foundational archive for understanding the early theoretical underpinnings of computer science. Readers often note the academic density of the prose, which reflects the high level of technical expertise held by the contributing laureates.