Contemporary History of the Information Society

The projects analyse the changes of society because of the process of computerisation and the use of information technology.

Forschung

Projekte

Cover of the journal "Zeithistorische Forschungen" (1/2020) with an essay by Michael Homburg on computer dating: The beginnings of electronic dating in the USA and Western Europe.

Computers in Love. A Cultural History of Dating and Mating in the Digital Age

 Michael Homberg

Research project (Postdoc)
Supported by Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung, Feodor-Lynen-Rückkehrstipendium

Long before Tinder & Co., marriage institutes and dating agencies in Europe, Asia and the USA began using computers to conquer the markets of the "lonely hearts". This research project examines the long and chequered history of electronic matchmaking since the 1950s

Graphic: ZZF

Digital Inequalities. Divides, Hierarchies, and Boundaries in Germany, 1970s to 1990s.

 Michael Homberg

Collaborative project (ZZF Potsdam, GEI, HS Bund)
Projekt leader: Michael Homberg
Starting Date: July 2023
Supported by the Leibniz-Association, Funding Line „Cooperative Excellence“ (2023)

This project takes up the German case in its transnational contexts to raise the question how and why such divides, hierarchies and boundaries occurred. By analyzing how computers and digital media since the 1970s developed, it trains a spotlight on the inequality, marginalization and biases woven into our technological systems.

Programmed Inequality. New Technologies, Old Barriers–Computers and Women

 Nina Neuscheler

PhD project
Part of the Leibniz-Verbundvorhaben „Digital Inequalities“

This project examines the influence of digital change on gender-related inequalities in East and West Germany since the 1970s. It asks whether digitalisation processes perpetuated, weakened or reproduced gender inequalities.

Digital Borders and the Birth of a Digital Migration System in Germany and Western Europe from the late 1960s to the early 21st Century

 Lennart V. Schmidt

PhD project
Part of the Leibniz-Verbundvorhaben „Digital Inequalities“

The project focuses on the interplay of technological advances, societal and political discourses, and their impact on data protection policies and surveillance strategies. Within this investigation, the study centralizes the computerization of West German security agencies, ministries, companies, and organizations from the late 1960s in the shadow of the Cold War and growing tension on the  German-German Border.

Computers during the Cold War. The Computerisation of the Bundeswehr and the NVA up to Reunification

 Janine Funke

Associated PhD project

This PhD project addresses leadership systems underpinned with computers in the Bundeswehr and the National People’s Army (NVA) in the context of the formation and establishment of both armies within the alliance system of NATO and of the Warsaw Pact.

Contemporary History of the Information Society

The projects analyse the changes of society because of the process of computerisation and the use of information technology.

Forschung

Projekte

Cover of the journal "Zeithistorische Forschungen" (1/2020) with an essay by Michael Homburg on computer dating: The beginnings of electronic dating in the USA and Western Europe.

Computers in Love. A Cultural History of Dating and Mating in the Digital Age

 Michael Homberg

Research project (Postdoc)
Supported by Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung, Feodor-Lynen-Rückkehrstipendium

Long before Tinder & Co., marriage institutes and dating agencies in Europe, Asia and the USA began using computers to conquer the markets of the "lonely hearts". This research project examines the long and chequered history of electronic matchmaking since the 1950s

Graphic: ZZF

Digital Inequalities. Divides, Hierarchies, and Boundaries in Germany, 1970s to 1990s.

 Michael Homberg

Collaborative project (ZZF Potsdam, GEI, HS Bund)
Projekt leader: Michael Homberg
Starting Date: July 2023
Supported by the Leibniz-Association, Funding Line „Cooperative Excellence“ (2023)

This project takes up the German case in its transnational contexts to raise the question how and why such divides, hierarchies and boundaries occurred. By analyzing how computers and digital media since the 1970s developed, it trains a spotlight on the inequality, marginalization and biases woven into our technological systems.

Programmed Inequality. New Technologies, Old Barriers–Computers and Women

 Nina Neuscheler

PhD project
Part of the Leibniz-Verbundvorhaben „Digital Inequalities“

This project examines the influence of digital change on gender-related inequalities in East and West Germany since the 1970s. It asks whether digitalisation processes perpetuated, weakened or reproduced gender inequalities.

Digital Borders and the Birth of a Digital Migration System in Germany and Western Europe from the late 1960s to the early 21st Century

 Lennart V. Schmidt

PhD project
Part of the Leibniz-Verbundvorhaben „Digital Inequalities“

The project focuses on the interplay of technological advances, societal and political discourses, and their impact on data protection policies and surveillance strategies. Within this investigation, the study centralizes the computerization of West German security agencies, ministries, companies, and organizations from the late 1960s in the shadow of the Cold War and growing tension on the  German-German Border.

Computers during the Cold War. The Computerisation of the Bundeswehr and the NVA up to Reunification

 Janine Funke

Associated PhD project

This PhD project addresses leadership systems underpinned with computers in the Bundeswehr and the National People’s Army (NVA) in the context of the formation and establishment of both armies within the alliance system of NATO and of the Warsaw Pact.