Centre for European and International Studies Research |
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Profile
With a background in Mathematics and the history of Mathematics, my research is now focused on two areas: the history of European computing, and humanities computing. Particular topics of note in computing history include the British Lyons Electronic Office (LEO), and historiography applied to the history of computing. I am especially interested in the application of memory studies theory and practice to the history of computing, for example in the way the engineering perspective is pre-eminent in the dominant discourse regarding the development of the Manchester Baby. In humanities computing I am working on humanities data warehousing.
Qualifications
- B.Sc. (Hons), Mathematics, University College London
- M.Sc. Microwaves and Modern Optics, University College London
- Ph.D. History of Mathematics, Middlesex University
- Postgraduate qualification in Source-Oriented Data Processing from the Institute of Historical Research, University of London
- B.A. (Hons), French, Southampton University
Current Research Projects
I am currently editing the conference proceedings for the Turing 2004 conference ‘Turing – a celebration of his life and work’, jointly organized by the British Society for the History of Mathematics, and the British Logic Colloquium. The proceedings comprises papers from recognized leaders in the field (several of them having contributed to a Festschrift for Turing published by Springer Verlag in 2004.) The proceedings are being sponsored by the Manchester branch of the British Computer Society. The papers will be appearing very soon on the BCS eWic website.
‘LEO and Tea Blending’ – an example of an early decision support system? In progress for the IEEE publication, the Annals of the History of Computing.
I am working on advances in historiography in the history of computing together with Dr David Anderson. In particular, we are looking at priviledged accounts within the history of computing. In this respect we are also considering how the history of computing compares with the more mature disciplines of the history of technology and the history of science.
I am also considering the development and spread of 19 th century punched-card looms, especially the so-called Jacquard loom.
Research Clusters
- Memory Cultures
- Social, Historical and Cultural Change in Europe
Discipline Areas
- History
Research CV
Journal Articles
- 2007 Healey, R. and Delve, J., 'Integrating GIS and Data Warehousing in a Web Environment: A Case Study of the US 1880 census, International Journal of Geographical Information Science (IJGIS), Volume 21, Issue 6, Taylor and Francis, pp 603-624.
- 2007 Delve, J., Joseph Marie Jacquard: Inventor of the Jacquard Loom, The Annals of the History of Computing, IEEE., Volume 29, No. 4 Oct-Dec pp.98-102
- 2007, Delve, J. Jacques Vaucanson: ‘Mechanic of Genius’ , The Annals of the History of Computing, IEEE. Vol 29 No. 4 Oct-Dec pp.94-97
- 2006 Delve, J and Allen, M., 'Large-scale integrated historical projects - does Data Warehousing offer any scope for their creation and analysis?' History and Computing, Volume 13 (No3 2001), Edinburgh Press, pp301-313
- 2005 Delve, J and Healey, R., 'Is there a role for data warehousing technology in historical research?' in conference proceedings for Humanities, Computers and Cultural Heritage, published by Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, ISBN 90-6984-456-7, pp106-111
- 2003 Delve, J., ‘The College of Preceptors and the Educational Times: Changes for British Mathematics and Education in the Mid-Nineteenth Century. Historia Mathematica, Elsevier Press, vol. 30, 140-172.
- 2003 Delve, J., Anderson, D. and Croarken, M., ‘Max Newman: forgotten father of the computer? Annals of the History of Computing, Delve, J., 2002, ‘Bootstrapping’, Global Business and Economics Review, 4.2, 370-372.
- 2002 Delve, J., 'Bootstrapping', Global Business and Economics Review, 4.2, 370-372
- 2001 Delve, J., Anderson, D., ‘The Pinkerton Lecture’, Annals of the History of Computing 23.2, 68-73.
- 1997 Burt (Delve), J. and James, T., ‘Source-oriented data processing, the triumph of the micro over the macro?’ History and Computing 8.3; 1996 issue, published 1997, 160-9.
- 1995 Delve, J., ‘The Wrong Side of the Spreadsheets’, History and Computing 7.2
Book Chapters
- 2004 (revised 2008) Delve, J., 'Humanities Data Warehousing', entry in Encyclopedia of Data Warehousing and Mining, editor Professor John Wang, Montclair University Publications. Idea Group Reference, ISBN:1-59140-557-2, 570-574. I was also a referee for this publication.(This article spanned British and Canadian history; and linguistics, covering the Romance languages, the many forms of English, and also some little-known languages.)
- 2004 Delve, J., ‘Thomas Turner Wilkinson’ Dictionary of National Biography on CDROM, Oxford University Press, vol 58, pp1028-9
- 2004 Delve, J., ‘William John Clarke Miller’ Dictionary of National Biography on CDROM, Oxford University Press, vol 38, pp236-237.
- 1996 Burt (Delve), J., ‘Constructing an Educational Times Database’ in ‘The Sorcerer’s Apprentice; Case Studies in kleiw', published by the Halbgraue Reihe zur Historischen Fachinformatik, (editors Peter Denley and Matthew Woollard), pp1-31.
Edited Books
- Burt (Delve), J.1994 Consultant editor, ‘Figures in Proportion: Art, Science and the Business Renaissance’, The Institute of Chartered Accountants.
Invitations
- Delve, J., Anderson, D., ‘Max Newman: forgotten father of the computer?’ The Royal Institution, UK, 28 th January 2003.
Membership of Academic Councils
- Elected member of Council of the British Society for the History of Mathematics, ending December 2006.
- Elected Committee member the Association for History and Computing, ending November 2007.