Week 1, Part 2 - Overview and History of Blockchain

The goal of this module is to introduce you to the basic parts of blockchain, show how and why they go together, and get everyone up to speed on terminology. At the end, everyone should understand the concepts of public key encryption, hashing, and consensus algorithms/proofs and how they relate to each other in a blockchain. 

Readings & Other Content

Blockchains & Distributed Ledger Technologies - Types of Blockchains Links to an external site.

 

 

Future Thinkers Podcast - Blockchain: The Building Blocks for a New Society Links to an external site.

 

Public Key Cryptography

Public Key Cryptography for Non-Geeks Links to an external site.

Hashing

Wikipedia on "Hash Function" Links to an external site.

Introduction to Hashing Links to an external site.

Consensus Algorithms

How Mining Works Links to an external site.

A Hitchhiker’s Guide to Consensus Algorithms Links to an external site.

A (Short) Guide to Blockchain Consensus Protocols Links to an external site.

TagTeam

Week 1 Additional Resources Links to an external site.
Overview Links to an external site.
Infographics Links to an external site.