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History of ComputerHistory of Computer

1942-ABC Machine1942-ABC Machine

IntroductionIntroduction

ABC – Atanasoff-Berry ComputerABC – Atanasoff-Berry Computer Developed by Professor John Vincent Atanasoff and Developed by Professor John Vincent Atanasoff and

graduate student Clifford E. Berry from Iowa State graduate student Clifford E. Berry from Iowa State University .University .

John Vincent AtanasoffJohn Vincent Atanasoff(1903 - 1995)(1903 - 1995)

John Vincent Atanasoff (1903-1995)John Vincent Atanasoff (1903-1995) Born few miles of west HamiltonBorn few miles of west Hamilton His father was a Bulgarian Immigrant.His father was a Bulgarian Immigrant. His mother is mathematics school teachersHis mother is mathematics school teachers Graduate from University of Florida in Graduate from University of Florida in

1925 with Bachelor of Science degree in 1925 with Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering.electrical engineering.

During war, Atanasoff had involved in a During war, Atanasoff had involved in a test program for underwater mines.test program for underwater mines.

Atanasoff was awarded the National Atanasoff was awarded the National Medal of Technology at the White House Medal of Technology at the White House by President George Bush on 13 by President George Bush on 13 November 1990November 1990

Clifford E. Berry (1918 - 1963) Clifford E. Berry (1918 - 1963) Born in Gladbrook, Iowa on 19 April 1918Born in Gladbrook, Iowa on 19 April 1918 His intelligent being seen by his teacher His intelligent being seen by his teacher

and continue to rise when he entered Iowa and continue to rise when he entered Iowa State UniversityState University

His father owned an electrical appliance His father owned an electrical appliance and repair store in Iowaand repair store in Iowa

Professor Harold Anderson impressed by Professor Harold Anderson impressed by his brilliance and recommended him to his brilliance and recommended him to Atanasoff. Atanasoff.

He had issued:He had issued: 19 patents in the area of mass spectrometry19 patents in the area of mass spectrometry 11 patents in various areas of vacuum and 11 patents in various areas of vacuum and

electronicselectronics 13 patents pending. 13 patents pending.

Atanasoff Berry ComputerAtanasoff Berry Computer

11stst digital computer digital computer Used binary arithmetic and boolean Algebra Used binary arithmetic and boolean Algebra

using vacuum tubeusing vacuum tube Can calculate much faster than the input Can calculate much faster than the input

devicedevice Used many of the principal of all future Used many of the principal of all future

computercomputer

ComponentsComponents

MemoryMemory Are recharged like today's dynamic RAMAre recharged like today's dynamic RAM

Input deviceInput device Used standard IBM card readerUsed standard IBM card reader

Output deviceOutput device Used odometer like deviceUsed odometer like device

StorageStorage Used a base 2 punch card that could quickly store Used a base 2 punch card that could quickly store

1500 bits.1500 bits.

Clifford E. Berry with the ABCClifford E. Berry with the ABC(1942)(1942)

DrumDrum

ReaderReader

IssueIssue

John Mauchly, co-builder of ENIAC, visit John Mauchly, co-builder of ENIAC, visit Atanasoff in 1941Atanasoff in 1941

He had a look at the new machine developed He had a look at the new machine developed by Atanasoffby Atanasoff

Eckert and Mauchly then develop the ENIAC Eckert and Mauchly then develop the ENIAC machine and they gained the international machine and they gained the international attentionattention

ABC machine is recognized a year later. ABC machine is recognized a year later.

In 1973, court overturned an ENIAC patent-basic In 1973, court overturned an ENIAC patent-basic idea that came from Atanasoffidea that came from Atanasoff

They came to a conclusion that based on Mauchly They came to a conclusion that based on Mauchly experience it is a little bit confusing how he can have experience it is a little bit confusing how he can have that kind of idea.that kind of idea.

ABC was dismantled in 1948.ABC was dismantled in 1948.

ThankThank You You

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