Talking Nets: An Oral History of Neural Networks

Rating:
Summary: Unique Book
Review: When I was 13, I tried to build an artificial neuron in a test tube, storing the 'weight' of the neuron in electroplating of a mechanical pencil graphite rod. But, I burned myself badly with nitric acid and ended up in the emergency room. I unfortunately wasn't allowed to finish the project.

Reading this unique oral history of neural nets, I discovered that Benard Widrow did the same thing in 1959 (minus the burn part - he was 30 at the time and didn't have to sneak the acid of the science store room at school) and invented the 'Memistor' and Memistor Corporation.

I learned a million other details about neural networks and their history in this book and now feel like I know some of the people interviewed here personally.