David Brock

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

David Brock is a historian of technology whose work critically re-examines the foundational myths of Silicon Valley. His primary research areas include the history of computing, the social construction of technology, and the cultural narratives surrounding innovation. Brock’s most notable contribution is his meticulous deconstruction of the origin stories of the tech industry, particularly in his paper "Shockley's robot dream" (2013). In this work, he challenges the simplistic, heroic narratives often attributed to figures like William Shockley, revealing instead the complex web of institutional, economic, and social forces that truly shaped the region. While his citation count (2) reflects a niche but highly specialized audience, his impact lies in offering a more nuanced, evidence-based counter-narrative to popular tech lore. Brock’s scholarship is essential for students and researchers seeking to understand that technological progress is rarely the product of lone geniuses, but rather of intricate, often messy, historical contexts.