Track Changes: A Literary History of Word Processing

Track Changes examines the history and impact of word processors on literary creation from the 1960s through the present. The book traces how authors adopted early word processing technology and explores the shift from typewriters to computer-based writing. Kirschenbaum presents extensive research including author interviews, archive materials, and documentation of vintage word processing equipment. His investigation covers both famous writers and lesser-known early adopters who helped shape how digital tools would transform the writing process. The narrative follows key developments in word processing technology while examining how different authors incorporated these tools into their creative practices. Through specific examples and case studies, the text documents the technical, cultural, and literary implications of this technological revolution. The book raises fundamental questions about how changes in writing technology affect literary production and the nature of creativity. It stands as a significant contribution to our understanding of modern literary history and the relationship between technology and artistic practice.

Readers found the book compelling for its detailed research into how authors adopted word processing, with specific stories about writers like John Updike and Stephen King transitioning from typewriters. Many appreciated the technical history of early word processors and computers. Liked: - Deep archival research and interviews - Focus on both famous and lesser-known authors' experiences - Coverage of vintage word processing equipment - Historical context about writing technology Disliked: - Dense academic writing style - Too much technical detail about software versions - Occasional repetition of points - Limited coverage of non-US/UK authors One reader noted it "reads more like a dissertation than a general interest book." Another called it "fascinating but exhausting." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (43 ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (22 ratings) LibraryThing: 3.7/5 (12 ratings) The book earned positive reviews in academic journals but received less attention from general readers.

The Dream Machine by M. Mitchell Waldrop This history of personal computing traces the origins and evolution of modern word processing through the lens of J.C.R. Licklider's research and influence at ARPA.

Writing on the Wall: Social Media - The First 2,000 Years by Tom Standage The book connects contemporary digital writing technologies to historical forms of information sharing, from Roman graffiti to Renaissance letters.

Paper Knowledge: Toward a Media History of Documents by Lisa Gitelman This examination of document production and reproduction technology reveals the cultural impact of shifting from paper to digital text creation.

The Iron Whim: A Fragmented History of Typewriting by Darren Wershler-Henry The book chronicles the typewriter's influence on writing practices and literary culture as a precursor to digital word processing.

Print is Dead: Books in our Digital Age by Jeff Gomez This analysis of publishing technologies traces the transition from print to digital text production and its effects on writing, reading, and literary culture.

🖥️ Stephen King's first word-processed book was "Pet Sematary" (1983), written using a Wang System 5 word processor that cost him $14,000—about $37,000 in today's money. 📝 Science fiction author John Varley wrote one of the earliest published stories about word processing, "Press Enter ▮" (1984), which won both the Hugo and Nebula awards. ⌨️ Amy Tan was so devoted to her IBM DisplayWriter that she kept it functioning for over a decade by collecting spare parts, even after the model was discontinued. 💾 The term "word processing" originated in IBM's marketing department in the 1960s, predating personal computers by more than a decade. 📚 Isaac Asimov wrote about his resistance to word processors in essays and interviews, remaining loyal to his trusty typewriter until his death in 1992—making him one of the last major authors to never switch to digital composition.