The Supermen: The Story of Seymour Cray and the Technical Wizards Behind the Supercomputer

This is an awesome book. It gives a great history of Cray Computing, and the technology advances they made.

If you want to know the story of Seymour Cray, and the computers he developed, successful and otherwise, this is the definitive story.Then, of course, make your pilgrimage to Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin and see the small, unassuming museum which has, among other things, Cray 1 model 0001, on display. Unless it happens to be shipped out for a supercomputing conference (like it was when I showed up). And a Control Data 7600. And a Cray 2. And various other Cray models, some of them designed by the man himself and others designed after he'd left. They have more Cray hardware than the Computer History Museum, down the road from the Googleplex (been to both). But you have to drive to a small, unassuming museum in a small, unassuming town to see this stuff.

When I read a book of this type I keep a  Papermate Point Guard Flair Porous Point Stick Pens, Black Ink, Medium Point, Dozen, DZ - PAP8430152  handy so that I can underline especially interesting parts while lying down. With'The Supermen' I find that I am underlining something on every page.When I am finished, I will update this review and insert some quotes.For now, let's just say that the prototype of the CDC 1604 was built using 37 cent transistors from an electronics store, the Radio Shack of its day. Seymour Cray bought so many, that General Transistor eventually doubled the price. He had been buying their rejects, and he had bought all of their rejects! In an interview, not in the book, Cray said "And so I learned about the economy of scale!" The book said that after the price increase, they would let the salesmen from General Transistor take them out to lunch and they discovered that they would give them free samples. So until the salesmen caught on, Cray and them were building the 1604 with free transistors! When the 1604 was finished it was the fastest computer in the world.

This book has attributes which stood the test of time. I picked up the book as I am interested in the future of computing, hence my interest in its history. Crays were just beautiful, powerful objects at the time - hard to get access to, so much faster, so empowering not only because of speed but also design, facilitated innovation in vertical stacks. However, the book as a lot of interesting perspectives on innovation, focus, drive, risk-taking, creativity - very relevant in the context of today's challenges as well. Reminds us of the historical perspective and how these challenges are not quite new. Recommended also to people who look for business, strategy, innovation books to read. Nothing beats the historical perspective.

Every American should read this book. Have you ever heard of Cray supercomputers?

Not what I would call a highly readable book—yet one highly worth undertaking. It contains many valuable observations about an engineer of towering achievements. Seymour Cray's life is a study in the innovator's methodology. In addition to the prodigious technical achievements of Cray's teams, he solved the problem of attracting capital without compromising his freedom. He created machines that were fast and reliable—yet were also objects of mysterious beauty. A powerful individual owns a supercar. A powerful corporation owns a supercomputer. He recognized the importance of creating a mystique around innovative products. Wade in and wonder at a remarkable period in our shared digital history.

This was an excellent bnook for any one interested in the evolution of super computers. Perhaps even for those with no background in the industry. This is not only a story of techological change, but of a maverick as well. Small versus conglomerate. From the beginning, one reads how a small group of engineers can make somethjing extraoridinary. The book does not diminish the importance of money in the ultimate outcome. What I liked was the specifics. The details of how a Cray machine accomplished the tasks required for the niche it was intended for. The "why" of engineering decisions and the "how" problems were resolved. This is certainly a good read for any one interested in not only the history of the computer industry (told in the manner of a novel), but of how dedicated people can innovate, even with the ordinary.

I debated between three and four stars for this. This is a good personal story and it was interesting, but it left me wanting more information on the technical aspects of Cray's creations. I think anyone who knows who Seymour Cray was is likely a techie who wants more technical meat. There just isn't enough of it in the book.

I remember kids TV shows in the 80's showing the latest Cray machine, this wee gem of a book brings the behind the scenes intrigue which brought the various Cray creations and their competitors to life....and some time to sale.The genius of Cray is clear and would love to find more about him, his thoughts on not being the pioneer are fascinating when you consider he was viewed as being at the top of his game....perhaps some similarity to a certain Mr Jobs"The Pioneer never wins it is always easier to be the one who goes second"

I love technology and I found this book brilliant.The author tells us the story of the first supercomputers but I read it as if it were a best-seller, wanting to get to the end.Disclaimer: I work for Cray Inc.!

Interesting book. Cray comes over as a proud man, but very gifted. Interesting character, and great read.

An excellent historical account of Seymour Cray, his company, and the evolution of the supercomputer industry.

This book provides an excellent review of the technical and business struggles that faced the pioneers of the supercomputer industry. In spite of the complex subject matter it is reader-friendly and an excellent documentary on the work of Seymour Cray.