John Vincent Atanasoff By: Sofia Revueltas M.
Who was Atanasoff? Inventor of the electronic digital computer. Mathematical Physicist. A professor and Bussiness Man.
Mini Genius Learned electricity in elementary. At 9 he started studying alegebra. Finished Mulberry Highschool in 2 years. Excelling in Math and Science. jva/portraits/portraits.shtml
College In 1921, University of Florida, Gainesville. Graduated 1925 with A average. Earned a degree in electrical engineering. Accepted teaching offer in Iowa State College.
Building a Life June 1926 got his masters degree, at 23. ISC hired him to teach mathematics. Married 26-year-old Lura Meeks.
A New Family A year later Elsie, oldest daughter, was born. In Madison, Wisconsin was accepted as Doctoral candidate. They had 2 children: Joanne & John.
An Idea For doctoral thesis he had to use a calculator. He used the Monroe and IBM. Thinking of creating a machine better and faster.
Teaching In 1930 became assistant professor in Mathematics & Physics. Then promoted to teaching in Physics Building. While observing electronical devices.
The Laplaciometer Invented Laplaciometer, to analyze geometry of surfaces. With help from Glen Murphy. Accuracy depended on performance of parts of machine.
A New Invention? In 1937 he got $650 from ISC. Help from electrical engineering student, Clifford E. Berry. In 1939 was ready.
The ABC Click for video: gov/ABC/videos/abc- operation.mov gov/ABC/videos/abc- operation.mov ABC: Atanasoff-Berry Computer. Introduced concepts of binary arithmetic. Had regenerative memory and logic circuts.
No Patenting In December 1941 invention came to halt. No patenting due to World War II.
The ENIAC and Dr. Mauchly In 1940 Atanasoff gave presentation to Dr. Mauchly. Which gave ideas to create ENIAC. With Dr. Eckert.
War Affects Everyone In September 1939 he left for defense related position. Clifford Berry acepted one in California. Atanasoff’s family stayed in Ames.
Going Down Hill In 1948 he returned, ABC had been taken away. Only a few parts were saved.
More Bad News Lura divorced him. She moved to Colorado with the Children. Same year he married Alice Crosby.
Lots of Work Scientist for Army Forces in Fort Monroe, Virginia Washington Director of the Navy Fuse Program at the Naval Ordnance Laboratory Established The Ordanance Engineering Corporation, in Rockville Maryland.
Still Working There he worked with David Beecher. In 1957 company was sold to Aerojet General Corporation. Manager of its Atlantic Division from Was Vice president from 1959.
Success for the ABC In 1972 trial was won. ENIAC patent was invalidaded Atanasoff was given credit he deserved. Invented the first electronic digital computer.
The End Clifford Berry also received acknowledgements. Atansoff retired in Died of Stroke 15 June 1995.
Awards and Acknowledgements
Thank You!
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