A week-end off: the first extensive number-theoretical computation on the ENIAC

The first extensive number-theoretical computation run on the ENIAC, is reconstructed. The problem, computing the exponent of 2 modulo a prime, was set up on the ENIAC during a week-end in July 1946 by the number-theorist D.H. Lehmer, with help from his wife Emma and John Mauchly. Important aspects of the ENIAC's design are presented-and the reconstruction of the implementation of the problem on the ENIAC is discussed in its salient points

Arqueología informática: el computador UNIVAC en los inicios de la computación moderna

[ES] El UNIVAC I fue diseñado en la década de los años 50 del siglo XX por la empresa Remington Rand y es considerado el primer computador comercial desarrollado en Estados Unidos. Concebido por los pioneros informáticos John W. Mauchly y John P. Eckert, este computador estaba orientado a grandes empresas, tanto privadas como públicas, debido a su elevado coste y sus requerimientos de instalación. Con este computador, entre otras cosas, se elaboró el censo en los Estados Unidos del año 1951 y se predijo correctamente el ganador de las elecciones presidenciales en 1952. En ambas tareas el UNIVAC I, por aquel entonces una estrella mediática, demostró ser una máquina rápida y precisa. En este trabajo se desarrolla un análisis del contexto histórico y social en el que se desarrolla el diseño e implementación de este computador. Así mismo, se estudia su arquitectura y programación con el fin de entender cómo se desarrollaba el proceso de programación en aquella fase inicial de la informática, al tiempo que se establecen comparaciones con la programación de un procesador moderno. Dado el gran valor histórico del UNIVAC I, este trabajo incluye el diseño de una página web de carácter didáctico destinada al Museo de Informática de la Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Informática de la Universidad Politécnica de Valencia a fin de contribuir con su proyecto de difusión del patrimonio informático.[CA] L’UNIVAC I va ser dissenyat en la dècada dels anys 50 del segle XX per l’empresa Remington Rand i és considerat el primer computador comercial desenvolupat als Estats Units. Concebut pels pioners informàtics John W. Mauchly i John P. Eckert, aquest computador estava orientat a grans empreses, tant privades com públiques, a causa del seu elevat cost i els seus requeriments d’instal·lació. Amb aquest computador, entre altres coses, es va elaborar el cens als Estats Units de l’any 1951 i es va predir correctament el guanyador de les eleccions presidencials en 1952. En ambdós tasques l’UNIVAC I, en aquell moment una estrela mediàtica, va demostrar ser una màquina ràpida i precisa. En aquest treball es du a terme una anàlisi del context històric i social en el què es desenvolupa el disseny i la implementació d’aquest computador. Així mateix, s’estudia la seua arquitectura i programació a fi d’entendre com era el procés de programació en aquella fase inicial de la informàtica, alhora que s’estableixen comparacions amb la programació d’un processador modern. Donat el gran valor històric de l’UNIVAC I, aquest treball inclou el disseny d’una pàgina web de caràcter didàctic destinada al Museu d’Informàtica de l’Escola Tècnica Superior d’Enginyeria Informàtica de la Universitat Politècnica de València a fi de contribuir al seu projecte de difusió del patrimoni informàtic.[EN] The UNIVAC I was designed in the late 50s of the twentieth century by the company Remington Rand and is considered the first commercial computer developed in the United States. Conceived by pioneers John W. Mauchly and John P. Eckert, this computer was aimed at large companies, both private and public, because of its high cost and installation requirements. With this computer, among other things, the census was developed in the United States in 1951 and correctly predicted the winner of presidential elections in 1952. In both tasks the UNIVAC I, at that time a media star, proved to be a machine quickly and accurately. This paper presents an analysis of the historical and social context in which the design and implementation of this computer develops. Likewise, its architecture and programming is studied in order to understand how the programming process developed in this initial phase of computing, while comparisons are made with the programming of a modern processor. Given the great historical value of the UNIVAC I, this work includes designing a website didactic designed the Museum of Informatics School of Engineering at the Polytechnic University of Valencia in order to contribute to the project diffusing computer heritage.García Garijo, D. (2016). Arqueología informática: el computador UNIVAC en los inicios de la computación moderna. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/68603.TFG

A Mini-History of Computing

This book was produced by George K. Thiruvathukal for the American Institute of Physics to promote interest in the interdisciplinary publication, Computing in Science and Engineering. It accompanied a limited edition set of playing cards that is no longer available (except in PDF). This book features a set of 54 significant computers by era/category, including ancient calculating instruments, pre-electronic mechanical calculators and computers, electronic era computers, and modern computing (minicomputers, maniframes, personal computers, devices, and gaming consoles)

HISTORY of COMPUTERS

Пособие представляет сборник оригинальных текстов пр истории возникновения и развития компьютерных технологий. Рассчитано на студентов уровней Pre-Intermediate и Intermediate с целью развития навыков чтения, монологической речи, ведения дискуссии и активизации лексики по специальности.6

Who Invented the Computer? the Legal Battle That Changed Computing History

Review of: Who Invented the Computer? The Legal Battle that Changed Computing History. Burks, Alice R

Who Invented the Computer? the Legal Battle That Changed Computing History

Review of: Who Invented the Computer? The Legal Battle that Changed Computing History. Burks, Alice R

Could the SNA Complete the SCOT Model? \\Computer development in the USA between 1931-1950: a case study approach

Analyzing the literature of computing history we can establish that computing stories of different epochs are concerned with an array of problem areas, thus the authors of the accounts posed various questions - from the misunderstood inventions and forgotten genius to the community revaluation role of the Internet in the post-modern society. J. V. Atanasoff, J. Mauchly, J. P. Eckert, H. Aiken, G. Stibitz and J. Neumann all played their parts in the history of computing between 1930 and 1950 in the USA. Bowing before their notability the authors of institute-specific accounts recognised all of them as founders of electrical-digital computing technology. In this study I will argue that any discussion about claims to priority is an outworn conception because the first electrical- digital computer in the USA came into being in a network of ``socio-technical ensembles´´. The argument is based on a social construction approach (SCOT) of the history of technology combined with social network analysis as during our investigation the SCOT model proved inadequate for studying the history of computers. Following the improvement of key concepts and methods applied by SCOT-ists in different case studies I endeavour to choose the best suitable framework which can be applied to a description of a technological artefact more complex than the bicycle

History of computers. Reload

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Viewpoint: The Physics in the New Era of Computing

The 21st century is the Information Age, characterised by an economy based on information computerisation. In this new era of computing, the role of physics is becoming crucial and practical. Thus, physics is not seen anymore as an abstract and purely academic endeavour. This study addresses physics inventions' contributions to computer science, society, and the economy. In particular, the physics discoveries in superconductivity, quantum mechanics, elementary particle physics, vacuum tubes, transistors and integrated circuits, electronic digital computer, fibre optics, lasers, and quantum computers will be discussed