Includes bibliographical references (pages 271-286) and index.

"The Internet has changed our lives. It has revolutionized research, altered the world of retailing, and caused virtually every institution to redefine itself. Meanwhile, e-mail has become an indispensable means of communication. But only a few decades ago the internetwas the 'Wizards Stay Up Late' is the fascinating story of the pioneers who created breakthrough since the telephone. In the 1960s, when computers where regarded as mere giant calculators, J.C.R. Licklider at MIT saw them as the ultimate communications devices. With Defense Department funds, he had a band of visionary computer whizzes began work on a nationwide, interlocking network of computers. Taking readers behind the scenes, 'Where Wizards Stay Up Late' captures the hard work, genius, and happ accidents of their darling, stunningly successful venture"--Page 4 of cover.