Why read The DARPA Model for Transformative Technologies?

Book cover of The DARPA Model for Transformative Technologies: Perspectives on the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency

Book description

The U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has played a remarkable role in the creation new transformative technologies, revolutionizing defense with drones and precision-guided munitions, and transforming civilian life with portable GPS receivers, voice-recognition software, self-driving cars, unmanned aerial vehicles, and, most famously, the ARPANET and its successor, the…

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Why read it?

1 author picked The DARPA Model for Transformative Technologies as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Michael Belfiore

Author

The wonkiest of the best books on DARPA is an anthology of essays on how DARPA works, starting with some background on its origins. This book should be of interest to anyone trying to emulate DARPA in generating ideas and bringing them to life quickly and efficiently.

Among the success factors outlined by academics, analysts, and past DARPA program managers: low overhead (DARPA has no labs of its own, instead relying on contractors), minimal bureaucracy with only two layers of management, and organizational independence (although it is part of the U.S. Department of Defense, DARPA functions mostly autonomously). Editor and…

From Michael's list on The best books about DARPA, America’s mad scientist agency.