The Game of Everything, Part 1: Making Civilization
If you want this history straight from Sid Meier's mouth, Soren Johnson's excellent podcast "Designer Notes" has a 4 part interview with the man:
https://www.idlethumbs.net/designernotes/episodes/sid-meier-...
https://www.idlethumbs.net/designernotes/episodes/sid-meier-...
https://www.idlethumbs.net/designernotes/episodes/sid-meier-...
https://www.idlethumbs.net/designernotes/episodes/sid-meier-...