Harvard Mark I / IBM ASCC, left side.

Howard Hathaway Aiken (March 8, 1900, Hoboken, New Jersey–March 14, 1973, St. Louis, Missouri) was a pioneer in computing, being the primary engineer behind IBM's Harvard Mark I computer. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (2560x1718, 1003 KB) Harvard-IBM Mark I Computer, left side of the computer. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (2560x1718, 1003 KB) Harvard-IBM Mark I Computer, left side of the computer. ... Portion of the Harvard-IBM Mark 1, left side. ... March 8 is the 67th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (68th in leap years). ... Year 1900 (MCM) was an exceptional common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar, but a leap year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar. ... Map of New Jersey highlighting Hoboken Image of Hoboken taken by NASA (red line shows where Hoboken is). ... For the Lebanese political coalition, see March 14 Alliance. ... 1973 (MCMLXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Memory (Random Access Memory) Look up computing in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... International Business Machines Corporation (known as IBM or Big Blue; NYSE: IBM) is a multinational computer technology corporation headquartered in Armonk, New York, USA. The company is one of the few information technology companies with a continuous history dating back to the 19th century. ... Portion of the Harvard-IBM Mark 1, left side. ...

He studied at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and later obtained his Ph.D. in physics at Harvard University in 1939. During this time, he encountered differential equations that he could only solve numerically. He envisioned an electro-mechanical computing device that could do much of the tedious work for him. This computer was originally called the Automatic Sequence Controlled Calculator (ASCC) and later renamed Harvard Mark I. With help from Grace Hopper and funding from IBM, the machine was completed in 1944. In 1947, Aiken completed his work on the Harvard Mark II computer. He continued his work on the Mark III and the Harvard Mark IV. The Mark III used some electronic components and the Mark IV was all-electronic. The Mark III and Mark IV used magnetic drum memory and the Mark IV also had magnetic core memory. The University of Wisconsin–Madison (also known as UW–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, University of Wisconsin, or UW) is a selective public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin. ... Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated Ph. ... Harvard University (incorporated as The President and Fellows of Harvard College) is a private university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. Founded in 1636,[2] Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning still operating in the United States. ... 1939 (MCMXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full year calendar). ... An illustration of a differential equation. ... Portion of the Harvard-IBM Mark 1, left side. ... Rear Admiral Grace Murray Hopper (December 9, 1906 – January 1, 1992) was an American computer scientist and United States Navy officer. ... International Business Machines Corporation (known as IBM or Big Blue; NYSE: IBM) is a multinational computer technology corporation headquartered in Armonk, New York, USA. The company is one of the few information technology companies with a continuous history dating back to the 19th century. ... 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ... 1947 (MCMXLVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1947 calendar). ... The Harvard Mark II was an electromechanical computer built at Harvard University under the direction of Howard Aiken and was finished in 1947. ... The Harvard Mark III, also known as ADEC (for Aiken Dahlgren Electronic Calculator) was an early computer that was parially electomechanical and partially electronic. ... The Harvard Mark IV was an electronic stored-program computer built by Harvard University under the supervision of Howard Aiken for the United States Air Force. ... hi i am cool xbox is all most as cool as me hi again ... A 16×16 cm area core memory plane of 128×128 bits, i. ...

Aiken was inspired by Charles Babbage's Difference Engine. He is supposed to have said (in 1947): "Only six electronic digital computers would be required to satisfy the computing needs of the entire United States." This remark is also attributed to Thomas J. Watson, but was probably said by neither. Charles Babbage (26 December 1791 – 18 October 1871) was an English mathematician, philosopher, mechanical engineer and (proto-) computer scientist who originated the idea of a programmable computer. ... Part of Babbages Difference engine, assembled after his death by Babbages son, using parts found in his laboratory. ... 1947 (MCMXLVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1947 calendar). ... Thomas Watson, pictured in 1917 Thomas John Watson, Sr. ... Thomas Watson, pictured in 1917 Thomas John Watson, Sr. ...

In 1970, Aiken received IEEE's Edison Medal 'For a meritorious career of pioneering contributions to the development and application of large-scale digital computers and important contributions to education in the digital computer field.' The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers or IEEE (pronounced as eye-triple-ee) is an international non-profit, professional organization incorporated in the State of New York, United States. ... The IEEE Edison Medal is presented by the IEEE for a career of meritorious achievement in electrical science, electrical engineering or the electrical arts. ...

Howard Aiken was also an Officer in the United States Navy Reserve. The United States Navy Reserve is the reserve component of the United States Navy. ...

External links

• O'Connor, John J.; Edmund F. Robertson "Howard Aiken". MacTutor History of Mathematics archive.
• Father of the computer age