285: How Silicon Valley Remade America in Its Image: A History of Digital Disruption

Whether its smartphones, laptops, or the Internet, there’s no
doubt the products of Silicon Valley are a part of our daily
lives. According to the Pew Research Center, 81% of Americans own
a smartphone, and nearly three-quarters of adults have a desktop
or laptop computer. But how did a slice of northern California
turn into one of the most influential industries in history?
Brian talks with historian Margaret O’Mara about the Valley’s
rise to global tech capital. O’Mara’s new book is called “The
Code: Silicon Valley and the Remaking of America.”

Image: In this April 24, 1984 file photo, Steve Jobs, left,
chairman of Apple Computers, John Sculley, center, president and
CEO, and Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple, unveil the new Apple
IIc computer in San Francisco, Calif. Apple has become the
world’s first company to be valued at $1 trillion, the financial
fruit of tasteful technology that has redefined society since two
mavericks named Steve started the company 42 years ago. Source:
AP Images

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