Beyond the Column
Resources for readers of Melissa Hannebrink’s column in The Union
Welcome! If one of my columns in The Union brought you here, you are in the right place.
My newspaper columns explore the human side of technology, especially the ways technology affects seniors, families, consumers, and anyone trying to keep up with a world that changes faster than people do.
Because a newspaper column can only hold so much, I created this page to share additional information, videos, practical instructions, trusted resources, and updates related to the topics I write about.
BEYOND THE COLUMN
The Remarkable Machine That Helped Inspire Modern Computing
In my column of August 6, 2026, The Miracle We Forgot to Notice, I mention the Babbage Difference Engine. Charles Babbage designed his Difference Engine in the 1800s, long before electronic computers existed. Although the original machine was never completed during his lifetime, a working version was later built from his plans.
Watch the Difference Engine in action here
Learn more about Charles Babbage and Ada Lovelace
Understanding Artificial Intelligence
My six-week Understanding AI series ran in The Union from June 25 through July 30. There is far more to know about artificial intelligence than I could fit into six columns, so I created a separate page with additional information, resources, and practical guidance.