Papers, 1983-2003.

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Papers, 1983-2003.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/192101351

This collection contains correspondence and news clippings regarding John Vincent Atanasoff and the Atanasoff-Berry Computer (ABC) collected by Wallace C. Caldell. Most of the correspondence is related to Caldwell's efforts to have Atanasoff, along with graduate student Clifford Berry, recognized as the inventor of the digital electroonic computer. Of note is correspondence with producers from WGBH in Boston regarding the series "The Machine that Changed the World" which aired in 1991 on the Public Broadcasing Service (PBS). The television show chronicled the history of the computer, but omitted Atanasoff and the ABC. Caldwell was also instrumental in having the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) recognize the efforts of Atanasoff and Berry by naming the ABC a national Electrical Engineering Milestone. A bronze plaque hangs in Physics Hall on the Iowa State campus commemorating this achievement. Photographs showing Caldwell presenting a framed photograph of the plaque to Atanasoff are in the collection. The collection also contains materials regarding celebrations of the ABC and Atanasoff sponsored by Iowa State, correspondence of others regarding proper recognition of the ABC, and news clippings and writings about the ABC and its controversial status as the first digital electronic computer. For more information on John Vincent Atanasoff and the Atanasoff-Berry Computer se the John Vincent Atanasoff Papers, RS 13/20/51, and the Office of University Relations John Vincent Atanasoff Colletcion, RS 5/2/1/1.

0.42 linear ft. (1 document box).

Iowa State University, Parks Library

Information

SNAC Resource ID: 6963278

Iowa State University, Parks Library

Related Entities

There are 3 Entities related to this resource.

Atanasoff, John V. (John Vincent)

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w64q8xcf (person)

Inventor of the Atanasoff-Berry Computer. From the description of Oral history interview with John V. Atanasoff, 1985 March 19. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62685206 Inventor of the first electronic digital computer. J.V. Atanasoff was born in Hamilton, New York in 1903, and graduated from the University of Florida in 1925 with a B.S. in electrical engineering. He began graduate studies in mathematics at Iowa State College in 1925....

Berry, Clifford Edward, 1918-1963

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6r22fh6 (person)

Caldwell, Wallace Caughey.

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6v99pf6 (person)

Wallace Caughey Caldwell received his M.S. (1940) in physics from Iowa State College (University). He joined the staff of the Physics Department at Iowa State as Assistant Professor (1948) and then became Associate Physicist (1950). He was eventually named Adjunct Professor (1983-1995) and Emeritus Adjunct Professor (1995-present) in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering at Iowa State. From the description of Papers, 1983-2003. (Iowa State University). Wor...