Paul E. Ceruzzi
Encyclopedia
Paul E. Ceruzzi is curator of Aerospace Electronics and Computing at the Smithsonian's
National Air and Space Museum
in Washington, D.C.
in 1970, and a PhD from the University of Kansas
in 1981, both in American studies
. Before joining the National Air and Space Museum, he was a Fulbright scholar in Hamburg
, Germany, and taught History of Technology at Clemson University
in Clemson, South Carolina. Ceruzzi is the author and co-author of several books on the history of computing
and aerospace
technology. He has curated or assisted in the mounting of several exhibitions at NASM
, including: Beyond the Limits - Flight Enters the Computer Age, The Global Positioning System - A New Constellation, Space Race, How Things Fly and the James McDonnell Space Hangar of the Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, at Dulles Airport.
Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research institute and associated museum complex, administered and funded by the government of the United States and by funds from its endowment, contributions, and profits from its retail operations, concessions, licensing activities, and magazines...
National Air and Space Museum
National Air and Space Museum
The National Air and Space Museum of the Smithsonian Institution holds the largest collection of historic aircraft and spacecraft in the world. It was established in 1976. Located in Washington, D.C., United States, it is a center for research into the history and science of aviation and...
in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
Life
Ceruzzi received a BA from Yale UniversityYale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
in 1970, and a PhD from the University of Kansas
University of Kansas
The University of Kansas is a public research university and the largest university in the state of Kansas. KU campuses are located in Lawrence, Wichita, Overland Park, and Kansas City, Kansas with the main campus being located in Lawrence on Mount Oread, the highest point in Lawrence. The...
in 1981, both in American studies
American studies
American studies or American civilization is an interdisciplinary field dealing with the study of the United States. It traditionally incorporates the study of history, literature, and critical theory, but also includes fields as diverse as law, art, the media, film, religious studies, urban...
. Before joining the National Air and Space Museum, he was a Fulbright scholar in Hamburg
Hamburg
-History:The first historic name for the city was, according to Claudius Ptolemy's reports, Treva.But the city takes its modern name, Hamburg, from the first permanent building on the site, a castle whose construction was ordered by the Emperor Charlemagne in AD 808...
, Germany, and taught History of Technology at Clemson University
Clemson University
Clemson University is an American public, coeducational, land-grant, sea-grant, research university located in Clemson, South Carolina, United States....
in Clemson, South Carolina. Ceruzzi is the author and co-author of several books on the history of computing
Computing
Computing is usually defined as the activity of using and improving computer hardware and software. It is the computer-specific part of information technology...
and aerospace
Aerospace
Aerospace comprises the atmosphere of Earth and surrounding space. Typically the term is used to refer to the industry that researches, designs, manufactures, operates, and maintains vehicles moving through air and space...
technology. He has curated or assisted in the mounting of several exhibitions at NASM
National Air and Space Museum
The National Air and Space Museum of the Smithsonian Institution holds the largest collection of historic aircraft and spacecraft in the world. It was established in 1976. Located in Washington, D.C., United States, it is a center for research into the history and science of aviation and...
, including: Beyond the Limits - Flight Enters the Computer Age, The Global Positioning System - A New Constellation, Space Race, How Things Fly and the James McDonnell Space Hangar of the Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, at Dulles Airport.
Works
- Reckoners: The Prehistory of The Digital Computer (1983)
- Beyond the Limits: Flight Enters the Computer Age (1989)
- Landmarks in Digital Computing: A Smithsonian Pictorial History (1994)
- A History of Modern Computing (1998)
- Internet Alley: High Technology in Tysons Corner, 1945-2005 (2008).