Norris, William C., 1911-2006

William C. Norris was born in 1911. He graduated from the University of Nebraska with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering in 1932. He assumed management of the family farm upon the death of his father a few months later. From 1935 to 1941 he served as a sales engineer with the Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company and worked in Omaha and Chicago. During World War II, Norris was commissioned as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy and was assigned to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, where he was involved in the research and development of communications and computing equipment. Following military service, Norris helped found Engineering Research Associates (ERA) in St. Paul, Minnesota. He served as a vice president and general manager for the firm from 1946-1955. In 1952, ERA became a subsidiary of the Remington Rand Corporation. Remington Rand merged with the Sperry Corporation to form the Sperry Rand Corporation in 1955. Norris served as vice president and general manager of the Univac division of Sperry Rand Corporation from 1956-1957.In 1957, Norris helped establish Control Data Corporation (CDC) with several other former Sperry Rand Univac employees. He served as President and CEO of the company from 1957 until his retirement in 1986. Norris retained a position on the Board of Directors of CDC until 1991.

From the description of William C. Norris papers 1946-1988. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 311749750

In June 1957, William C. Norris left his position as vice president and general manager at Sperry Rand-Univac and joined others to form the Control Data Corporation (CDC). Norris served as president of the company from June 1957 until he retired in 1986. Norris retained a position on the Board of Directors of CDC until 1991.During his time as president of CDC, Norris became interested in a variety of causes and business ventures, such as corporate social responsibility, computer-based education and PLATO, economic development and job creation, and U.S. trade and technology transfer with the Soviet Union and Japan.

From the description of Control Data Corporation Records. William C. Norris executive papers 1946-1995. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 613437272

Founder of Control Data Corporation.

From the description of Oral history interview with William C. Norris, 1977. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62401888

Control Data Corporation executive.

From the description of Oral history interview with William C. Norris, 1982 Jan. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62423885

Norris was a founding vice president of Engineering Research Associates (ERA). He later became head of the Univac Division of Remington Rand before founding and becoming president and chief executive officer of Control Data Corporation (CDC) in 1957.

From the description of Oral history interview with William C. Norris, 1986 July 28 and Oct. 1. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 63295524

William C. Norris was born in 1911. He graduated from the University of Nebraska with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering in 1932. He assumed management of the family farm upon the death of his father a few months later. From 1935 to 1941 he served as a sales engineer with the Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company and worked in Omaha and Chicago. During World War II, Norris was commissioned as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy and was assigned to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, where he was involved in the research and development of communications and computing equipment.

Following military service, Norris helped found Engineering Research Associates (ERA) in St. Paul, Minnesota. He served as a vice president and general manager for the firm from 1946-1955. In 1952, ERA became a subsidiary of the Remington Rand Corporation. Remington Rand merged with the Sperry Corporation to form the Sperry Rand Corporation in 1955. Norris served as vice president and general manager of the Univac division of Sperry Rand Corporation from 1956-1957.

In 1957, Norris helped establish Control Data Corporation (CDC) with several other former Sperry Rand Univac employees. He served as President and CEO of the company from 1957 until his retirement in 1986. Norris retained a position on the Board of Directors of CDC until 1991.

From the guide to the William C. Norris papers, 1946-1988, (University of Minnesota Libraries. Charles Babbage Institute. [cbi])

In June 1957, William C. Norris left his position as vice president and general manager at Sperry Rand-Univac and joined others to form the Control Data Corporation (CDC). Norris served as president of the company from June 1957 until he retired in 1986. Norris retained a position on the Board of Directors of CDC until 1991.

During his time as president of CDC, Norris became interested in a variety of causes and business ventures, such as corporate social responsibility, computer-based education and PLATO, economic development and job creation, and U.S. trade and technology transfer with the Soviet Union and Japan.

From the guide to the Control Data Corporation Records. William C. Norris executive papers, 1946-1995, (University of Minnesota Libraries. Charles Babbage Institute. [cbi])