Biz and Tech Podcasts > Technology > Keyboard and Quill
Keyboard and Quill is a playful, narrative podcast exploring data and technology through time. Co-hosted by Silicon Valley database startup veterans, Tim Berglund and Rachel Pedreschi, and inspired by the soundscapes of NPR’s award-winning Radiolab, Keyboard and Quill is a lively look at how we went from the wheel to the smartphone–from the printing press to the complex data ecosystems powering our modern lives. Tim and Rachel combine their own research with interviews they've conducted with academics, technologists, co-founders, software engineers, and other Silicon Valley professionals. Season 1: March-May 2024.
Keyboard and Quill is produced by StarTree (founded by the original creators of Apache Pinot™), hosts of Real-Time Analytics Summit, and creators of Tim’s podcast for data professionals, “Real-Time Analytics with Tim Berglund.”Last Episode Date: 2 May 2024
Total Episodes: 14
In this final episode of Season 1 of "Keyboard and Quill," hosts Tim Berglund and Rachel Pedreschi delve into the world of Apache Pinot, the real-time analytics technology behind many of the apps we use daily like LinkedIn, Uber, Stripe, and DoorDash. Discover how LinkedIn's seemingly minor product development choices spurred vast improvements in real-time data processing and analytics, gave birth to Apache Pinot, and fundamentally altered how users interact with data today. Keyboard and Quill is created and made possible by StarTree, hosts of the Real-Time Analytics Summit for data professionals. Get 30% off registration.SPECIAL THANKS TO:Rachel Pedreschi and Claritype Link: https://www.claritype.com Kishore GopalakrishnaLink: https://startree.ai Coastal Kites for the music you heard in our interlude.--Story by Tim Berglund and Rachel PedreschiProduced by Peter Furia, Noelle Gallagher, and Tim BerglundEdited by Noelle Gallagher and Peter Furia Original music and sound by Jeff Kite, keyboardist for The Voidz 🎧 Subscribe to K&Q wherever you listen to podcasts. ▶️ Subscribe on YouTube, and hit the 🔔 to never miss new K&Q uploads 👍 If you enjoyed this video, please leave us a rating. 🧠 Real-Time Analytics Summit (for data professionals). Get 30% off registration. 🎧 Subscribe to our other podcast, Real-Time Analytics with Tim Berglund (for data professionals)
In this penultimate episode of Season 1 of "Keyboard and Quill," hosts Tim Berglund and Rachel Pedreschi delve into the world of Apache Kafka, the invisible data powerhouse behind many of the apps we use daily like LinkedIn, Uber, and DoorDash. They take us back to 2010, a pivotal year when the internet became more than just a convenience—it became a staple of daily life, with more and more homes connected to broadband and smartphones becoming increasingly prevalent. This technological surge set the stage for innovations like ride-sharing and meal delivery services, which rely on constant data streams to function smoothly. Our hosts discuss how Kafka, initially developed within the walls of LinkedIn, has grown to be central to the operations of numerous companies large and small, managing the flow of data with unprecedented efficiency. This episode not only highlights the technical breakthroughs but also contextualizes them within the broader narrative of digital acceleration, making us ponder how such innovations continue to reshape our interactions and expectations in a world that moves faster by the day. Keyboard and Quill is created and made possible by StarTree, hosts of the Real-Time Analytics Summit for data professionals. Get 30% off registration.SPECIAL THANKS TO:Rachel Pedreschi and Claritype Link: https://www.claritype.com Jay KrepsLink: https://confluent.io Gwen ShapiraLink: https://www.thenile.devCoastal Kites for the music you heard in our interlude.--Story by Tim Berglund and Rachel PedreschiProduced by Peter Furia, Noelle Gallagher, and Tim BerglundEdited by Noelle Gallagher and Peter Furia Original music and sound by Jeff Kite, keyboardist for The Voidz 🎧 Subscribe to K&Q wherever you listen to podcasts. ▶️ Subscribe on YouTube, and hit the 🔔 to never miss new K&Q uploads 👍 If you enjoyed this video, please leave us a rating. 🧠 Real-Time Analytics Summit (for data professionals). Get 30% off registration. 🎧 Subscribe to our other podcast, Real-Time Analytics with Tim Berglund (for data professionals)
How did we go from the very first databases of the 1950s to modern data analytics on massive amounts of data in the cloud? In this episode of Keyboard and Quill, Tim Berglund and Rachel Pedreschi continue exploring the world of analytics, tracing its evolution from the mid-20th century to today's dynamic data-driven landscape. They unravel how early mainframes using punch cards and magnetic tapes laid the groundwork for the sophisticated databases of the present. From the costly storage of the mid 20th century to the affordable, expansive capabilities of today, they shed light on the pivotal shifts that have led to big data, profoundly shaping industries and individual habits alike. Keyboard and Quill is created and made possible by StarTree, hosts of the Real-Time Analytics Summit for data professionals. Get 30% off registration.SPECIAL THANKS TO:Rachel Pedreschi and Claritype Link: https://www.claritype.com Dr. Doron SwadeBook: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/the-history-of-computing-a-very-short-introduction-9780198831754Gwen ShapiraLink: https://www.thenile.devChris Wiggins and Matthew JonesBook: https://wwnorton.com/books/how-data-happenedCoastal Kites for the music you heard in our interlude.--Story by Tim Berglund and Rachel PedreschiProduced by Peter Furia, Noelle Gallagher, and Tim BerglundEdited by Noelle Gallagher and Peter Furia Original music and sound by Jeff Kite, keyboardist for The Voidz 🎧 Subscribe to K&Q wherever you listen to podcasts. ▶️ Subscribe on YouTube, and hit the 🔔 to never miss new K&Q uploads 👍 If you enjoyed this video, please leave us a rating. 🧠 Real-Time Analytics Summit (for data professionals). Get 30% off registration. 🎧 Subscribe to our other podcast, Real-Time Analytics with Tim Berglund (for data professionals)
Why do nearly all stores have a loyalty program? Are they really just seeking loyalty, or is it a key aspect of how they’re using analytics to improve their business? In this episode of Keyboard and Quill, hosts Tim Berglund and Rachel Pedreschi explore the evolution of early data analytics. They trace its development from early statistics concepts to Florence Nightingale's pioneering work in healthcare to Ronald Fisher’s foundational null hypothesis and randomized controlled trials (despite his deplorable role in history as a eugenicist) to John Tukey’s advocacy for exploratory data analysis. Through it all, we see how various threads contributed to the methods and practices underlying today's data-driven decision making. Keyboard and Quill is created and made possible by StarTree, hosts of the Real-Time Analytics Summit for data professionals. Get 30% off registration.SPECIAL THANKS TO:Rachel Pedreschi and Claritype Link: https://www.claritype.com Bill InmonLink: https://datavox.aiDr. Doron SwadeBook: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/the-history-of-computing-a-very-short-introduction-9780198831754Gwen ShapiraLink: https://www.thenile.devChris Wiggins and Matthew JonesBook: https://wwnorton.com/books/how-data-happened Coastal Kites for the music you heard in our interlude.--Story by Tim Berglund and Rachel PedreschiProduced by Peter Furia, Noelle Gallagher, and Tim BerglundEdited by Noelle Gallagher and Peter Furia Original music and sound by Jeff Kite, keyboardist for The Voidz 🎧 Subscribe to K&Q wherever you listen to podcasts. ▶️ Subscribe on YouTube, and hit the 🔔 to never miss new K&Q uploads 👍 If you enjoyed this video, please leave us a rating. 🧠 Real-Time Analytics Summit (for data professionals). Get 30% off registration. 🎧 Subscribe to our other podcast, Real-Time Analytics with Tim Berglund (for data professionals)
How did we go from the first slow, large, and heavy personal computers of the 1970s to the complex and powerful processors, data centers, and cloud of today? In this episode of "Keyboard and Quill," hosts Tim Berglund and Rachel Pedreschi navigate part 2 (of 2) of a digital odyssey to trace the evolution of computing from the first PCs to the omnipresent cloud of today. Discover how the personal computer began as a rare luxury and morphed into an indispensable fixture in homes and businesses worldwide. From the creation of microcomputers in 1975, sparking the home computing revolution, to the establishment of the internet, paving the way for web browsers and eventually leading to cloud computing in 2006—this journey explores how our digital landscape has transformed dramatically, enabling not just greater connectivity but also a seamless integration of technology into our daily lives. Keyboard and Quill is created and made possible by StarTree, hosts of the Real-Time Analytics Summit for data professionals. Get 30% off registration.SPECIAL THANKS TO:Rachel Pedreschi and Claritype Link: https://www.claritype.com Bill InmonLink: https://datavox.ai Coastal Kites for the music you heard in our interlude.--Story by Tim Berglund and Rachel PedreschiProduced by Peter Furia, Noelle Gallagher, and Tim BerglundEdited by Noelle Gallagher and Peter Furia Original music and sound by Jeff Kite, keyboardist for The Voidz 🎧 Subscribe to K&Q wherever you listen to podcasts. ▶️ Subscribe on YouTube, and hit the 🔔 to never miss new K&Q uploads 👍 If you enjoyed this video, please leave us a rating. 🧠 Real-Time Analytics Summit (for data professionals). Get 30% off registration. 🎧 Subscribe to our other podcast, Real-Time Analytics with Tim Berglund (for data professionals)
Ever wonder how we went from computation by hand to the complex and powerful computers, data centers, and cloud of today? In this episode of "Keyboard and Quill," hosts Tim Berglund and Rachel Pedreschi embark on part 1 (of 2) of a digital odyssey to trace the evolution of computing from its mechanical beginnings to the mainframes of the 1970s. We’ll explore historical milestones like Charles Babbage’s ambitious Difference Engine, through to the revolutionary advent of IBM’s mainframes, and the game-changing introduction of ARPANET and the early internet. Our journey doesn’t just look at hardware; it dives into the societal transformations driven by these technologies—how they’ve reshaped the way we work, communicate, and even think. Join us as we uncover how these technological leaps have fundamentally altered our digital landscape.Keyboard and Quill is created and made possible by StarTree, hosts of the Real-Time Analytics Summit for data professionals. Get 30% off registration.SPECIAL THANKS TO:Rachel Pedreschi and Claritype Link: https://www.claritype.com Frank KingLink: https://computerhistory.org/blog/restoring-the-ibm-1401Bill InmonLink: https://datavox.ai Dr. Doron SwadeBook: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/the-history-of-computing-a-very-short-introduction-9780198831754 Coastal Kites for the music you heard in our interlude.--Story by Tim Berglund and Rachel PedreschiProduced by Peter Furia, Noelle Gallagher, and Tim BerglundEdited by Noelle Gallagher and Peter Furia Original music and sound by Jeff Kite, keyboardist for The Voidz 🎧 Subscribe to K&Q wherever you listen to podcasts. ▶️ Subscribe on YouTube, and hit the 🔔 to never miss new K&Q uploads 👍 If you enjoyed this video, please leave us a rating. 🧠 Real-Time Analytics Summit (for data professionals). Get 30% off registration. 🎧 Subscribe to our other podcast, Real-Time Analytics with Tim Berglund (for data professionals)
Isn’t it amazing that with just a few taps on your phone you can get a healthy, hot, delicious, multicultural meal prepared and delivered to your doorstep, all in less than an hour? And you can even track it, in real time, every step of the way. But how did we get here? And how are our eating habits changing as a result? In this episode of Keyboard and Quill, we journey through 250 years of history with Tim Berglund and Rachel Pedreschi as they explore how food preparation, consumption, and delivery have evolved from the first known food deliveries in Asia to the dawn of Domino’s Pizza in the 1960s to the global boom of real-time delivery apps like DoorDash, UberEats, and JustEat Takeaway. New episodes every Tuesday from March-June. Keyboard and Quill is created and made possible by StarTree, hosts of the Real-Time Analytics Summit for data professionals. Get 30% off registration.SPECIAL THANKS TO: Rachel Pedreschi and Claritype Link: claritype.comDr. Rachel Laudan Book: Cuisine and Empire: Cooking in World History Site: rachellaudan.comCoastal Kites for the music you heard in our interlude. --Story by Tim Berglund and Rachel PedreschiProduced by Peter Furia, Noelle Gallagher, and Tim BerglundEdited by Noelle Gallagher and Peter Furia Original music and sound by Jeff Kite, keyboardist for The Voidz 🎧 Subscribe to K&Q wherever you listen to podcasts. ▶️ Subscribe on YouTube, and hit the 🔔 to never miss new K&Q uploads 👍 If you enjoyed this video, please leave us a rating. 🧠 Real-Time Analytics Summit (for data professionals). Get 30% off registration. 🎧 Subscribe to our other podcast, Real-Time Analytics with Tim Berglund (for data professionals)
Shifting into a faster gear from our last episode, Tim Berglund and Rachel Pedreschi continue investigating how humans have hitched rides from each other over the last 250 years. From hailing hackney coaches on filthy mud streets to boarding trams to hitchhiking with your thumb out to hailing taxis to using ride-sharing apps like Uber and Lyft to a possible future of self-driving cars, this is a story of land travel, communication, and cartography. New episodes every Tuesday from March-June.Keyboard and Quill is created and made possible by StarTree, hosts of the Real-Time Analytics Summit for data professionals. Get 30% off registration.SPECIAL THANKS TO: Rachel Pedreschi and Claritype Link: claritype.com Dr. Brian Taylor (UCLA) Book: The Drive for Dollars Darren Delaye (DoorDash) Coastal Kites for the music you heard in our interlude. --Story by Tim Berglund and Rachel PedreschiProduced by Peter Furia, Noelle Gallagher, and Tim BerglundEdited by Noelle Gallagher and Peter Furia Original music and sound by Jeff Kite, keyboardist for The Voidz 🎧 Subscribe to K&Q wherever you listen to podcasts. ▶️ Subscribe on YouTube, and hit the 🔔 to never miss new K&Q uploads 👍 If you enjoyed this video, please leave us a rating. 🧠 Real-Time Analytics Summit (for data professionals). Get 30% off registration. 🎧 Subscribe to our other podcast, Real-Time Analytics with Tim Berglund (for data professionals)
Let’s travel back in time to explore the ways humans got around together (on land) from prehistoric times to the first taxis in the late 1800s. Tim Berglund and Rachel Pedreschi begin this excavation of transportation history where it all started: with our own two feet. With the development of trade and cities, the hunter-gatherer mode of movement was inadequate for a species that needed to expand and travel. From the invention of roads to the primitive sleds known as travois to the all-important wheel to horse-drawn carriages to railroads and the first taxis, human civilization has come a long, long way in how we hitch a ride. New episodes every Tuesday from March-June.Keyboard and Quill is created and made possible by StarTree, hosts of the Real-Time Analytics Summit for data professionals. Get 30% off registration.SPECIAL THANKS TO: Rachel Pedreschi and Claritype Link: claritype.comDr. Brian Taylor (UCLA) Book: The Drive for Dollars Thanos Sgouridis for his voice acting.Coastal Kites for the music you heard in our interlude. --Story by Tim Berglund and Rachel PedreschiProduced by Peter Furia, Noelle Gallagher, and Tim BerglundEdited by Noelle Gallagher and Peter Furia Original music and sound by Jeff Kite, keyboardist for The Voidz 🎧 Subscribe to K&Q wherever you listen to podcasts. ▶️ Subscribe on YouTube, and hit the 🔔 to never miss new K&Q uploads 👍 If you enjoyed this video, please leave us a rating. 🧠 Real-Time Analytics Summit (for data professionals). Get 30% off registration. 🎧 Subscribe to our other podcast, Real-Time Analytics with Tim Berglund (for data professionals)
Voice was the focus of telecommunication for centuries, but now we live in a FaceTime world. How did we go from watching national broadcasts exclusively on giant, heavy, black-and-white televisions in our living rooms to 4K HDR video streaming in our pockets, practically anywhere in the world? In this episode, Tim Berglund and Rachel Pedreschi continue the journey of telecommunication from the invention of photography to television to satellites to cell towers, and how they all contributed to the remarkable gadgets we carry around today. New episodes every Tuesday from March-June.Keyboard and Quill is created and made possible by StarTree, hosts of the Real-Time Analytics Summit for data professionals. Get 30% off registration.SPECIAL THANKS TO: Rachel Pedreschi and Claritype Link: claritype.com Dr. Mara Mills (NYU)Link: WebsiteBook: Crip Authorship: Disability as MethodCoastal Kites for the music you heard in our interlude. --Story by Tim Berglund and Rachel PedreschiProduced by Peter Furia, Noelle Gallagher, and Tim BerglundEdited by Noelle Gallagher and Peter Furia Original music and sound by Jeff Kite, keyboardist for The Voidz 🎧 Subscribe to K&Q wherever you listen to podcasts. ▶️ Subscribe on YouTube, and hit the 🔔 to never miss new K&Q uploads 👍 If you enjoyed this video, please leave us a rating. 🧠 Real-Time Analytics Summit (for data professionals). Get 30% off registration. 🎧 Subscribe to our other podcast, Real-Time Analytics with Tim Berglund (for data professionals)
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