Speaker Series Revolutionaries

How We Got To Now Author Steven Johnson with the Museum's CEO John Hollar

Johnson is especially adept at dismantling the myths of technology creation that seem to distort our political and economic discourse. At various points in ‘How We Got to Now,’ he helps us see how innovation is almost never the result of a lone genius experiencing a sudden voila! moment; it’s a complex process involving a dizzying number of inputs, individuals, setbacks and (sometimes) accidents. Also, it’s hardly the exclusive domain of private-sector entrepreneurs. Important ideas are often driven by academics, governments and philanthropists. Author Jon Gertner
The New York Times' Sunday Book Review
December 26, 2014



We’re pleased to welcome New York Times-bestselling author Steven Johnson to the Museum on the occasion of How We Got To Now: Six Innovations That Made the Modern World's release in paperback.

Exploring networks of creativity and the "long-zoom" approach to history, Johnson delves into six key areas – glass, cold, sound, clean, time, light – to show how multiple unexpected inventions in each led to the modern life we experience today. Filled with surprising stories of accidental genius and brilliant mistakes, the book investigates the secret history behind the everyday objects of contemporary life.

Join John Hollar as he moderates an engaging conversation with Johnson about everything from how innovation happens and the "hummingbird effect," to the story of two "time travelers" who are very well known to the Computer History Museum (Babbage and Lovelace).

This event includes a book signing immediately following the program. We are pleased that Books, Inc. of Mountain View will be on-site selling copies of How We Got To Now before and after the program.

This event is part of the Museum’s acclaimed Revolutionaries speaker series, featuring renowned innovators, business and technology leaders, and authors in enthralling conversations often with leading journalists. Our audiences learn about the process of innovation, its risks and rewards, and failure that led to ultimate success.

Oct 21, 2015
6:00 pm

Add to Calendar 10/21/2015 6:00 pm America/Los_Angeles How We Got To Now Author Steven Johnson with the Museum’s CEO John Hollar Computer History Museum 1401 N. Shoreline Boulevard Mountain View, CA, 94043 United States
Location

Computer History Museum
1401 N. Shoreline Boulevard
Mountain View, CA, 94043

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