about the cover illustration
The figure on the cover of The AI Pocketbook, captioned “Allay tzaoussou (alay chavushu), ou inspecteur aux parades,” or “Allay tzaoussou (alay chavushu), or parade inspector,” is from the George Arents Collection, courtesy of the New York Public Library (1808–1826).
In those days, it was easy to identify where people lived and what their trade or station in life was just by their dress. Manning celebrates the inventiveness and initiative of the computer business with book covers based on the rich diversity of regional culture centuries ago, brought back to life by pictures from collections such as this one.