REVIEW FIELD TEST
Much ADO about Almost Nothing: Man’s Encounter with the Electron
to more tales of a motley cast of early experimenters
and makers. The histories are imbued with a real
passion for the subject, and the late author knew
a thing or two about silicon chips (Camenzind’s
venerable 555 timer IC is a true classic, and only a
small part of his prodigious output).
Starting with a knowledge of where we are
now, the reader is gripped by the early inching
towards understanding of just what electricity and
magnetism are, then the discovery of the electron,
and development of radio technology. This could
have been a complete book in itself, but we continue
right through the parallel developments of the first
computers on both sides of the Atlantic, then on to
the first microprocessor.
There’s a startling array of names immortalised in
electrical terms: Volta, Ampère, Coulomb, Galvani,
Henry, Ohm, Faraday, Wheatstone – but many figures
are overlooked, too. What’s striking is the role of less
well-known figures who were often chemists – yes,
chemistry and materials science drove much of the
development of electro-magnetic discovery, and then
modern electronics. Everything from better vacuums
for thermionic valves, to pioneering single crystal
germanium and silicon for semiconductors.
This is a very well written story. True, there are
problems with the book – it’s full of the small errors
that a traditional publisher’s editorial team would have
quickly remedied (Booklocker is a print-on-demand
company). But you’ll quickly forgive these as you
turn the pages and are treated to more insights on
curiosity, inventiveness, and commercial shenanigans.
Who was motivated by money, and who was just
impelled by creativity and the drive to discover – often
with the same results. Essential reading!ow, what a winding road
was travelled towards the
discovery of the electron, and
the development of the devices
we all depend upon. From early
observations of lodestone and
lightening, through to the founding and development
of Intel, stories familiar and new are told with dry
humour and subtle observations on human character.
All of this helps keep rather a meandering tale on
track, or at least keeps the reader turning the pageW
Much ADO about Almost
Nothing: Man’s Encounter
with the Electron
Stories of
geekery,
greed, and
single-minded
endeavour –
informative,
educational, and
a gripping read.VERDICT
Hans Camenzind £13.99 historyofelectronics.com9 / 10
By Richard Smedley