Computer History: 1946 ENIAC Computer History Remastered FULL VERSION First Electronic Computer U.S.

Summary

In February 1946, the US government announced ENIAC, the first large-scale digital electronic general-purpose computer, developed by John Mauchly and J. Presper Eckert at the University of Pennsylvania. Built for the US Army, ENIAC revolutionized computing with its reprogrammable capabilities and unprecedented speed, performing calculations that would have taken hours in mere seconds. Despite its complexity, programming was done manually, often by a team of women who played a crucial role. ENIAC's legacy continues through various institutions, highlighting the significant contributions to computing by its creators and the early pioneers of technology.

Takeaways

• 😀 ENIAC was the first large-scale digital electronic general-purpose computer, revealed to the public in February 1946.
• 😀 Developed at the University of Pennsylvania, ENIAC was initiated in 1943 under the authority of the U.S. Army.
• 😀 The design and construction of ENIAC were led by John Mauchly and J. Presper Eckert, who headed a diverse team of engineers and programmers.
• 😀 A significant number of women contributed to programming ENIAC, often using manual methods such as setting switches and connecting wires.
• 😀 ENIAC weighed over 30 tons and utilized 18,000 vacuum tubes, making it a massive and complex machine for its time.
• 😀 The computing speed of ENIAC was 1,000 times faster than previous electromechanical machines, revolutionizing calculation methods.
• 😀 Initially designed for military purposes, ENIAC's applications included weather prediction, atomic energy calculations, and scientific research.
• 😀 After its formal acceptance in July 1946, ENIAC was continuously operational until powered down in 1955.
• 😀 Mauchly and Eckert founded the Electronic Control Company, which later became EMCC, a pioneer in commercial computing.
• 😀 ENIAC's legacy lives on as a landmark achievement in computing history, showcasing the collaborative efforts of many individuals in technology development.

Q & A

What is ENIAC and when was it announced to the public?

ENIAC stands for Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer. It was announced to the public in February 1946.

Who were the primary developers of ENIAC?

The primary developers of ENIAC were John Mauchly and J. Presper Eckert from the University of Pennsylvania.

What was the main purpose of ENIAC when it was first designed?

ENIAC was initially designed to calculate artillery firing tables for the U.S. Army's Ballistics Research Laboratory.

How did programming ENIAC differ from modern programming methods?

Programming ENIAC involved manually setting switches and connecting wires according to diagrams, unlike modern programming that typically uses software and code.

What were some of the key features of ENIAC?

ENIAC was a large-scale, general-purpose computer, weighing over 30 tons and using 18,000 vacuum tubes, capable of performing calculations 1,000 times faster than earlier electromechanical machines.

How was ENIAC powered and cooled?

ENIAC required dedicated power lines to prevent overheating of the vacuum tubes, and the room housing ENIAC was air-cooled.

What advancements did ENIAC contribute to after its operation?

ENIAC's design led to further developments in computing, such as the EDVAC, and it helped establish the commercial computer industry.

What significant recognition did the women involved in programming ENIAC receive?

In 1997, the six women who primarily programmed ENIAC were inducted into the Women in Technology International Hall of Fame.

What was the total cost of ENIAC at the time of its completion?

The cost of ENIAC in 1946 was just under $500,000, equivalent to over $6 million today.

Where can parts of ENIAC be found today?

Today, portions of ENIAC are located at the University of Pennsylvania, the Smithsonian Institution, and the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California.