The ABC's of BBN: from acoustics to behavioral sciences to computers

The discipline of psychology, and specifically the concept of man-machine integration, served to organize computer research and development at BBN. This article gives a unifying perspective on the history of computer research and development at Bolt Beranek and Newman Inc. (BBN). It suggests that th...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:IEEE annals of the history of computing 2005-04, Vol.27 (2), p.15-29
Main Author: Swets, J.A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acoustic noise
Acoustics
Aircraft
Behavioral sciences
Communication
communications theory
Computer displays
computer-based instruction
Computers
Electrical engineering
Fasteners
Humans
Information theory
Laboratories
Magnetic heads
man-machine integration
Noise
Oral communication
PDP-1 computer
Personal computers
psycho-acoustics
Psychologists
Psychology
R&D
Research & development
Signal processing
Society
Speech
time-sharing
Underwater acoustics
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Summary:The discipline of psychology, and specifically the concept of man-machine integration, served to organize computer research and development at BBN. This article gives a unifying perspective on the history of computer research and development at Bolt Beranek and Newman Inc. (BBN). It suggests that the firm's original focus on A (acoustics) led to its work in B (behavioral sciences, principally psychology), which in turn led to C (its computer activities) the three areas then coexisting. In particular, this article suggests that psychological concepts have shaped the company's work on computers from the beginning. The BBN principals desired a larger range of psychoacoustics and a contribution from psychologists (behavioral scientists) and to establish an activity in man-machine integration, as a central thrust in the area of human factors of engineering psychology.
ISSN:1058-6180
1934-1547
DOI:10.1109/MAHC.2005.32