This work investigates the fundamental role of computers as extensions of human cognition and the historical evolution of calculating machines. The author, D.S. Halacy, provides a comprehensive overview of how mechanical and electronic computation transformed from simple counting tools into complex systems capable of augmenting human thought. The text examines the transition from early analog devices to the digital architecture that defines modern information processing.

Experts recognize this text as a clear, accessible introduction to the history of computing for a general audience. Readers frequently note that while the technical information is dated, the book remains a valuable historical snapshot of how early computer science was conceptualized.