Although true robots are a creation of the second half of the 20th century, the concept of mechanical servants has stirred the human imagination for a much longer period of time. Images of artificial people and automatons range from Golem, the animated clay statue of myth, to Roomba[registered], the robot vacuum cleaner of modern day. Many scientists and inventors contributed to the understanding of robotics and their development in the modern age. "Modern Robotics" presents succinct biographies of the men and women who were and are the leaders in bringing about this change through research and new technologies. From Jacques de Vaucanson to Grey Walter to Joseph Engelberger, here is a lively introduction to the field through the stories of its top trailblazers....

For most people, mathematics is an abstraction with little connection to the "real" universe. But some mathematicians have discovered relatively simple yet exceedingly powerful patterns that yield insight into aspects of natural and human behavior. "Mathematics" presents 10 essays that profile the minds behind such patterns, many of which have surfaced in recent popular culture. Meet Leonardo of Pisa, who worked with Fibonacci numbers and the "Golden Section"; John von Neumann and John Nash, proponents of game theory; Edward Lorentz, who developed chaos theory; and Sid Meier, who has created award-winning computer games, such as Gettysburg and SimGolf, and five other mathematicians. Although the ideas explored here may produce complex results, they are inherently simple in concept, making them appealing, accessible vehicles for acquainting students with the human side of mathematics....

Computers play a crucial role in our day-to-day lives. With more than 150 black-and-white photographs and illustrations, "Encyclopedia of Computer Science and Technology, Revised Edition" provides a detailed examination of this fascinating field for students and general readers alike. This necessary update boasts more than 50 - per cent new material - a total of more than 550 updated entries, nearly 200 new to this edition, that reflect current information. Helpful appendixes include a chronology of significant events in computing, a listing of achievements in the field, and brief descriptions and contact information for some important organizations in the computer field. Major corporations and organizations in the computer field are now covered, as well as many new biographies. Further reading sections have been revised and expanded with the latest resources....