Reading rank 419
As We May Think
, subject: Essay on information and the Memex, 1945
As We May Think is the Vannevar Bush essay whose influence runs through Douglas Engelbart and the mother of all demos into personal computing.
8
Coverage Score
2
Scored evidence
About this work
Published in The Atlantic in 1945, the essay introduces the memex, a proposed device for building associative trails through documents and records.
Why read it
Best if you want to read the essay at the start of a chain of influence that runs through Douglas Engelbart and the mother of all demos into personal computing.
Key themes
- From essay to the mother of all demos
- An idea that reached generations
Evidence and original sources
Sources: official Founders episodes — #270, #271
This record is supported by 2 public evidence rows linked to original Founders episodes.
- Vannevar Bush (Pieces of the Action) — David uses As We May Think's influence on Douglas Engelbart and the mother of all demos to trace an idea chain into personal computing.
- Vannevar Bush (Engineer of the American Century) — David discusses how Bush's essay As We May Think inspired generations of computer scientists and founders.