History – Page 21 – Richard Rathe's Reflections

As We May Think by Vannevar Bush

Published in 1945, this visionary essay by Vannevar Bush anticipated computers, fiberoptics, databases, and hypertext!

Amongst other things, he proposed a device called the Memex that would use optical storage to make vast amounts of information available in a searchable, cross-linked format. (Remind you of anything in today’s world?!)

“Presumably man’s spirit should be elevated if he can better review his shady past and analyze more completely and objectively his present problems…. His excursions may be more enjoyable if he can reacquire the privilege of forgetting the manifold things he does not need to have immediately at hand, with some assurance that he can find them again if they prove important.”

Good Morning Doctor! by W. A. Rohlf, MD

My first Web publishing effort. A series of short chapters describing medicine in the late 1800s and early 1990s. Dr. Rohlf was my grandfather’s mentor and partner. He was known as “Uncle Bill” in my family, although he wasn’t a blood relation.

Visit the site at gmd.rathe.org!

Introduction to Cryptography by Phil Zimmermann

From the man who brought us Pretty Good Privacy…

“No data security system is impenetrable. …You have to ask yourself if the information you are trying to protect is more valuable to your attacker than the cost of the attack. This should lead you to protect yourself from the cheapest attacks, while not worrying about the more expensive ones.”

This white paper was my first real encounter with cryptography back when it was considered a munition by the federal government. Zimmermann got into significant trouble when someone distributed his PGP code on the Internet. Here is his story of why he developed PGP in the first place and his subsequent Senate testimony.