Category Archives: 1944

Howard Aiken

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howard-aikenBorn in 1900, Howard Aiken was an influential pioneer in the world of computing. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin, he earned a doctorate from Harvard in 1939. While a graduate student he began plans to create a large computer. His first efforts working with IBM produced the ASCC computer, which was completed in 1943.

The machine was moved to Harvard University in May 1944, where it was renamed the Harvard Mark I. There he met Grace Hopper, who would later help him design the Harvard Mark II, one of the first completely electronic computers. After it’s completion in 1947, he worked on a series of computers there all the way to the Mark IV in 1952. Aiken thought only six electronic digital computers would be required to satisfy the computing needs of the U.S. He was given several awards for his contributions to computing.

Harvard Mark I

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mark1-2Designed by Howard Aiken and IBM, the Harvard Mark I debuts to the public in a ceremony at Harvard University. It was powered by a five horsepower electric motor, weighed five tons, and measured two feet by fifty one feet. It was slower than other machines being developed at the time because it was not electronic.  The Mark I was originally known as the ASCC, and was described as sounding like a roomful of ladies knitting.  It captured the media and public attention, encased in glass and stainless steel. Intend for use as a general purpose calculating device, it winds up being used exclusively by the U.S. Navy for ballistics testing & calculation. It was later replaced by the Mark II.