NJIT homepage of Evan Koblentz

Hello world.

I am a senior writer and adjunct instructor at New Jersey Institute of Technology.

I'm also the advisor to the university Lego Club.

Writing

I'm a writer in the Office of Communications and Marketing.

• Mostly I write about NJIT news and research related to computing, electrical engineering, and management.
• I used to cover Hillier College of Architecture & Design.
• Here's a Google search link to my articles.

I enjoy documenting the history of computing. Here are some articles I wrote related to computer history at NJIT and its predecessor Newark College of Engineering:

• NJIT Planned Its First Computer Lab 65 Years Ago, Used for Dissertations
   Also: 1966 NCE Computer Center Handbook
   Also: October 1966 Rough Draft for a Proposal for a Department of Computer Science at Newark College of Engineering
• NJIT Research in 1970s Became Vital Parts of Today's Social Media Recipe
   Also: EIES machine room video courtesy Bob & Eileen Michie
• NJIT Was Early Leader in Giving Microcomputers to New Students in 1980s
• Technology VIPs, Including an Internet Pioneer, Visit NJIT for Inspiration
• Museum Cases Around Campus Being Updated by History Dept. Students

Teaching (CS-210)

I'm also an adjunct instructor at NJIT Ying Wu College of Computing. My course is CS-210: Technical History of Computing. We meet Wednesday nights.

Prerequisites: (CS 100 or CS 101 or CS 103 or CS 104 or CS 113 or CS 115 or BNFO 135) and any History and Humanities GER 200 level course and ENGL 101. This course is for students in computing majors. Students will gain a comprehensive overview of the evolution of computing from the start of recorded history through modern times. By studying history, you will understand the context of modern developments in CS/IT, including cyclical trends and why various approaches did or did not work. Learning where it all came from will also help young computer scientists to speak intelligently with older colleagues and managers in the workforce. Topics include mechanical calculating, analog computing, relay/tube computers, transistors, integrated circuits, I/O such as punch cards/paper tape/floppy disks, the minicomputer generation, the microcomputer revolution, development of graphical and network systems, early mobile computing, and modern history. A special focus on historic developments in New Jersey will be part of all lectures.

Non-CS majors are encouraged to register; you may need permission from someone in the CS department. I'm happy to accept students who major in engineering, history, etc. ("STEM teaches you to clone a T-rex. Humanities teaches you why that's not a wise idea.") Of course, a basic familiarity with computing systems is helpful.

The required book is A New History of Modern Computing by Tom Haigh and Paul Ceruzzi.

Here is the current syllabus.

• Why history?
• Recommended books
• Important links

Student Reviews

Here are excerpts from the RateMyProfessors website.

• "Extremely interesting course. Put a lot of what we are doing in CS in perspective. It was a pleasure to listen to a prof who is so knowledgeable and interested in his subject. A true lifelong expert. Don't think that this is an easy A because there is no coding. The final tested beyond memorization and asked for some understanding of the events."
• "If you are looking for an easy 'A' class then save your efforts and register a different course as an elective. However, if you like to learn and are genuinely passionate about history of computing then this is the perfect class for you."
• "This is going to sound real cheesy but a professor like him reminds me of why schools were constructed in the first place. It often feels like school has evolved from necessity to ritual. So I was relieved to see a professor who appears like he just wants to teach and share the things he knows. 10/10"
• "Not often you come across a teacher who is passionate about what they teach. Professor Koblentz is a great guy, teacher, and all around his class was amazing. I highly recommend! More teachers should be held to his standard!!"

Best comment: "We all watch YouTube videos most of the time. I guess it's better than when he lectures."

You can read more from RMP here. Can't please everyone. 🤷

Last updated by Evan Koblentz, Feb. 22, 2024 *** Contact: evank{at}njit.edu