You and the Computer: A Student's Guide

Schenectady, New York: General Electric, 1965. First edition of this enthusiastic recruitment initiative from General Electric, aimed at high school and college students: "The future clearly belongs to those who understand the computer." An employee profile page serves as a strategic welcoming call to students of all backgrounds, depicting women and people of color working in computer manufacturing, program analysis, testing, and training at General Electric. Highlighting real-life challenges like employee wage management and mass transit design, the booklet celebrates the computer's ability to solve social, industrial, and scientific problems "while eliminating much of the drudgery of mathematical calculation." Lighthearted illustrations by Bill Charmatz, known for his work for Sports Illustrated, Esquire, and Time, accompany discussions of "Computers on the Job," "Programming," and "Symbolic Languages," among other topics. A bright, near-fine copy of this aspirational artifact of the early computer age. Side-stapled volume, measuring 10.5 x 8.25 inches: 19, [1]. Original color pictorial wrappers, photographic plates and color illustrations by Bill Charmatz throughout text. Lightest shelfwear.