The ‘science of control’ (original name for the field in the 1940s) has always been about constructing intrinsic social regulatory systems. That is, systems for the control of people which are self-correcting.
… Yep, interesting fellow ol’ Norbee. As I mentioned in another thread there are two “versions” of this book … and they are NOT the same book. The one shown is definitely “revised”. If pressed I might be able to find an account of the fairly signifiant differences between the two. If memory serves it is in S.J. Heim’s The Cybernetics Group … but please don’t hold me to that. 
For a little more information on a predecessor of Wiener see
Otto Mayr - Maxwell (James Clerk) and the Origins of Cybernetics in Isis, Vol. 62, Number 4, Winter 1971, pp. 424-444.
See also info on: John Von Neumann, Julian Bigelow, Claude Shannon, Rafael Lorente de No, Arturo Rosenbluth, Warren McCulloch, and Walter Pitts.
Much here to give us a better understanding of, as Flip Wilson used to say, “What’s Happening’ Now”.
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I forget where I read it, but the origins go back to the 19th century at least. I found this brief article that sums it up nicely.
“Ideas about self-governing systems date back to ancient Greek concepts about steering and navigation. Fast forward to the 19th century and physicists like Ampère contributed pieces like coining the word “cybernetics” itself, derived from the Greek term for helmsman.”
I always liked those old B&W Doctor Who episodes from the 60’s with the Cybermen. Some have been lost and found to end up on YT.
Cheers
Adendum:
From the above link
“In 1848, this term was also used to describe the emerging study of political science and systems of governance. The roots of mathematical decision and control theories arose in the early 20th century as well.”
Its also worth noting that the CIA started in 1948 along with many new projects concurently, including the publishing of said book. 1848 saw the Communist manifesto and many revolutions miraculously sprouted up at the same time (“Conspiracy Theory” is a CIA term used as damage control to disuade further investigation.)
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