In this enlightening conversation, Margaret O'Mara, a history professor and author, delves into her book exploring the intertwining of U.S. politics with the tech industry. She traces the roots of Silicon Valley back to the 1960s and discusses the significant role of government in the digital revolution. O'Mara highlights the persistent sexism in tech and the contributions of women often overlooked in history. She also warns of threats to Silicon Valley's culture, including stringent immigration laws and rising global competition.
01:02:38
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
menu_book Books
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
question_answer ANECDOTE
Stanford's Transformation
Stanford's transformation into an engineering hub was key to Silicon Valley's rise.
Fred Terman, recognizing post-war opportunities, led this change, focusing on practical skills.
insights INSIGHT
Silicon Valley's Specialization
Silicon Valley's early success stemmed from building small electronics and communication devices.
This specialization became crucial as computers miniaturized and the internet gained importance.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Anne Hardy's Story
Anne Hardy, a skilled programmer, faced sexism throughout her career.
Despite her contributions, her boss admitted he wouldn't have hired a woman if he'd known the importance of her work.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
The Code: Silicon Valley and the Remaking of America
Margaret O'Mara
The Code: Silicon Valley and the Remaking of America provides a detailed and nuanced account of Silicon Valley's rise, emphasizing the significant role of government support and funding alongside the contributions of pioneering entrepreneurs. Margaret O'Mara chronicles the region's history from the post-war period, through the Cold War and the space race, to the modern era of big tech. The book exposes the myth of Silicon Valley's self-reliance, instead revealing a complex interplay between public and private sectors. It also addresses issues such as gender imbalance, casual misogyny, and the broader social and political implications of Silicon Valley's growth. O'Mara's narrative includes insights from key figures, both famous and lesser-known, and explores the financial, political, and cultural dynamics that have shaped the Valley[1][3][5].
Historian Margaret O'Mara talks with Recode's Kara Swisher about her latest book, The Code: Silicon Valley and the Remaking of America. She explains how the government catalyzed the digital revolution starting in the 1960s, the reasons tech power coalesced in suburban California, and why tech history must be considered a part of political history — even though the industry has tried in recent decades to distance itself from government. O'Mara also talks about the origins of sexism in the tech industry and how women were not given the same opportunities to break in as men, and the threats to Silicon Valley's current culture, including government regulation, overly strict immigration laws, and the rise of China.
Decoder with Nilay Patel 