High-tech brains: a history of technology-based analogies and models of nerve and brain function.

Abstract:

:This article reviews some of the technological devices and ideas which have been used over the years to answer the question, how does the brain work? It describes some of the early technology-based analogies and models of nerve fibers, and then discusses other analogies and models of the brain based on mechanical and electrical technologies. There are also short sections on cybernetics, telephone exchanges, and computers. Although all of these ideas are flawed to some extent, this article offers a brief argument on the usefulness of analogy and abstraction in brain science.

journal_name

Perspect Biol Med

authors

Kirkland KL

doi

10.1353/pbm.2002.0033

subject

Has Abstract

pub_date

2002-04-01 00:00:00

pages

212-23

issue

2

eissn

0031-5982

issn

1529-8795

pii

S1529879502202124

journal_volume

45

pub_type

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