Jacquard's Web: Punched Cards and the Origins of Computing

Jacquard's Web: Punched Cards and the Origins of Computing

In this episode of Internet Origins, we explore Jacquard's Web by James Essinger. Long before computers processed data or the internet connected the world, a French silk weaver invented a loom controlled by punched cards—creating the first programmable machine and the foundational logic of modern computing. From the workshops of Napoleonic France to the birth of IBM, this is the story of how a weaving machine became the mechanical ancestor of the digital age.

Hard Drive: Microsoft's Origins

In this episode of Internet Origins, we explore Hard Drive by James Wallace and Jim Erickson. Long before Windows dominated every desktop and software became more valuable than hardware, a Harvard dropout named Bill Gates transformed the computer industry by betting that an operating system—not the machine itself—would define the digital age. From hacking school computers to outmaneuvering IBM, this is the story of how Microsoft turned code into an empire.

The Everything Store: The Birth of Amazon

In this episode of Internet Origins, we explore The Everything Store by Brad Stone. Long before same-day delivery, cloud computing, and voice assistants, a garage startup called Amazon transformed the world by turning the internet into a universal marketplace and reimagining the very nature of retail.

Makers of the Microchip: The Birth of Silicon Valley

In this episode of Internet Origins, we explore Makers of the Microchip by Christophe Lécuyer and David Brock—the story of eight rebellious engineers who walked out on a Nobel laureate and, in doing so, founded an industry.

PayPal Wars: How Peter Thiel and Elon Musk Built Digital Money

In this episode of Internet Origins, we explore The PayPal Wars by Eric Jackson. The inside story of how a scrappy startup survived the dot-com crash, outmaneuvered eBay, and helped launch a generation of entrepreneurs who would redefine technology itself. From online auctions to boardroom coups, this is the origin story of the PayPal Mafia and the digital revolution they sparked.