Showing papers in "IEEE Annals of the History of Computing in 2005"
TL;DR: The author examines the origins and evolution of three HCI research foci: computer operation, information systems management, and discretionary use.
Abstract: Human-computer interaction is considered a core element of computer science. Yet it has not coalesced; many researchers who identify their focus as human-computer interaction reside in other fields. The author examines the origins and evolution of three HCI research foci: computer operation, information systems management, and discretionary use. The author describes efforts to find common ground and forces that have kept them apart.
119 citations
TL;DR: A research project begun in 1997, uncovered sufficient information to enable the recreation of a physical concept model of Fowler's machine, and the next step is to create a historically accurate replica.
Abstract: In 1840, Thomas Fowler, a self-taught English mathematician and inventor, created a unique ternary calculating machine. Recently, all detail of this machine was lost. A research project begun in 1997, uncovered sufficient information to enable the recreation of a physical concept model of Fowler's machine. The next step is to create a historically accurate replica.
42 citations
TL;DR: Construction of the first complete physical realization of a full Babbage engine design is described and Babbage's ambitions for this advanced engine are outlined.
Abstract: Charles Babbage designed Difference Engine No. 2 between 1846 and 1848. Contemporary drawings illustrate a machine - never built during his lifetime - that calculates and tabulates polynomials, printing results in hard copy and producing stereotype molds for plates intended for use in conventional printing presses. This article describes construction of the first complete physical realization of a full Babbage engine design and outlines Babbage's ambitions for this advanced engine.
20 citations
TL;DR: The background of the original Baby, and why and how a replica of it was built, is explained and some of the lessons learned are concluded.
Abstract: The University of Manchester's Small-Scale Experimental Machine (SSEM), known as the Baby, was rebuilt as a replica to celebrate, in June 1998, the 50th anniversary of the running of the world's first stored program. This article explains the background of the original Baby, and why and how a replica of it was built. The article concludes with some of the lessons learned from the project.
20 citations
TL;DR: The author traces the development of the Hollerith tabulating machine, what is part of theollen punched card system, during the years 1905 until 1913, and describes the machine's applications of most interest to customers at that time.
Abstract: The author traces the development of the Hollerith tabulating machine, what is part of the Hollerith punched card system during the years 1905 until 1913, and describes the machine's applications of most interest to customers at that time. Hollerith added the plugboard for flexible wiring to his tabulating machine for different applications, as a result of customer demand.
13 citations
TL;DR: In 1956, the Swedish office equipment company Facit embarked on a plan to produce large-scale computers for the Swedish and Western European markets, and recruited several top engineers known as the BESK Boys, who developed a computer for Facit that briefly was the world's fastest.
Abstract: In 1956, the Swedish office equipment company Facit embarked on a plan to produce large-scale computers for the Swedish and Western European markets. The plan involved recruiting several top engineers known as the BESK Boys, who developed a computer for Facit that briefly was the world's fastest. Circumstances, however, ultimately worked against Facit.
12 citations
TL;DR: This article begins a three-part series, presenting an overview of events in IBM that preceded today's versatility in handling Far Eastern languages in the IT arena, in the context of 1960s technologies and early IT products that emerged.
Abstract: This article begins a three-part series, presenting an overview of events in IBM that preceded today's versatility in handling Far Eastern languages in the IT arena. Here, Part 1 analyzes the complexities and characteristics of the Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Thai, and other Far Eastern languages in the context of 1960s technologies and early IT products that emerged.
10 citations
TL;DR: It is suggested that psychological concepts have shaped the company's work on computers from the beginning, and the firm's original focus onacoustics led to its work in B (behavioral sciences, principally psychology), which in turn led to C (its computer activities)
Abstract: The discipline of psychology, and specifically the concept of man-machine integration, served to organize computer research and development at BBN. This article gives a unifying perspective on the history of computer research and development at Bolt Beranek and Newman Inc. (BBN). It suggests that the firm's original focus on A (acoustics) led to its work in B (behavioral sciences, principally psychology), which in turn led to C (its computer activities) $the three areas then coexisting. In particular, this article suggests that psychological concepts have shaped the company's work on computers from the beginning. The BBN principals desired a larger range of psychoacoustics and a contribution from psychologists (behavioral scientists) and to establish an activity in man-machine integration, as a central thrust in the area of human factors of engineering psychology.
8 citations
TL;DR: The rationale of, and objectives for, the first Swiss computer, the ERMETH is examined.
Abstract: Eduard Stiefel, in 1948 the first director of the Federal Institute of Technology's newly established Institute of Applied Mathematics, recognized that computers would be essential to this new field of mathematics. Unable to find exactly what he wanted in existing computers, Stiefel developed the ERMETH. This article examines the rationale of, and objectives for, the first Swiss computer.
8 citations
TL;DR: This history provides an example of the impact of the huge advances in digital technology on those doing research and development in acoustic signal processing for detection that must parallel the impact in other scientific fields.
Abstract: We describe a rather personal history of the transition from analog to digital signal processing for acoustic signals. This history provides an example of the impact of the huge advances in digital technology on those doing research and development in acoustic signal processing for detection that must parallel the impact in other scientific fields. Collaborating with BBN scientists from other disciplines, the authors have been challenged to find the best technical solutions to a given problem. Examples are monitoring airport noise and detecting sound from submarines in the oceans.
8 citations
TL;DR: In establishing BBN, the founders deliberately created an environment in which engineering creativity could flourish and steps taken to assure such an environment and a number of events that moved the company into the fledgling field of computing are described.
Abstract: In establishing BBN, the founders deliberately created an environment in which engineering creativity could flourish. The author describes steps taken to assure such an environment and a number of events that moved the company into the fledgling field of computing.
TL;DR: Six projects sought to construct or reconstruct historic computing devices, and restore original specimens to working order, and those who delivered the successful outcomes or who were instrumental in their realization are described.
Abstract: During the last two decades an increasing number of initiatives has sought to construct or reconstruct historic computing devices, and restore original specimens to working order. The feature articles in this issue describe six such projects written by those who delivered the successful outcomes or who were instrumental in their realization.
TL;DR: This article traces the history of PCMs, which includes an intriguing incident of industrial espionage.
Abstract: The rise and fall of plug-compatible mainframes spanned more than 20 years. RCA, whose 1964 Spectra 70 system was compatible with the IBM System/360, chose another path altogether, so Amdahl in 1970 became the first true PCM manufacturer. Other companies notably Fujitsu and Hitachi-soon followed, seeking to compete with IBM in the mainframe arena. This article traces the history of PCMs, which includes an intriguing incident of industrial espionage.
TL;DR: This article is an account of the journey into history about how the reconstruction of Konrad Zuse's Z3 was carried out, and why it is important that historians of computing, and computer scientists, pursue such projects.
Abstract: Konrad Zuse's Z3, built in Berlin from 1938 to 1941 was destroyed during World War II. The reconstruction project started in 1994. A functional replica was built and unveiled at a conference commemorating the 60th anniversary of the public presentation of the original machine in 2001. The reconstruction project includes several Java simulations of components of the whole machine and a 3D functional simulation of the Z3 and its user console. This article is our account of our journey into history, about how we carried out the reconstruction, and why it is important that historians of computing, and computer scientists, pursue such projects.
TL;DR: Multitarget tracking, which emerged from the control efforts, is discussed because it eventually resulted in major programs for BBN and illustrates how BBN's diverse research efforts and its environment lead to unexpected rewards.
Abstract: The primary focus in this article is on BBN's theoretical and applied work on problems involving humans in the information processing and control loop of control systems. This article discusses the evolution and outcome of key technical developments, people involved, and the role of BBN's environment -computational, organizational, and human. The history of the long and productive R&D program from its early beginnings, circa 1960, to the end of the 1980s is the main focus of this article. The history includes efforts in developing decision aids for pilots and for advanced command and control applications, because these can be viewed as natural evolutions of earlier control work. In something of a departure from this main focus, multitarget tracking, which emerged from the control efforts, is discussed because it eventually resulted in major programs for BBN and illustrates how BBN's diverse research efforts and its environment lead to unexpected rewards.
TL;DR: The historical restoration of an IBM 1620 Model I computer by a team of volunteers at the Computer History Museum is described as are the philosophical and museological issues attendant on the restoration of vintage computers.
Abstract: This article describes the historical restoration of an IBM 1620 Model I computer by a team of volunteers at the Computer History Museum. The technical trajectory of the project is described as are the philosophical and museological issues attendant on the restoration of vintage computers.
TL;DR: It is argued that computer histories contribute to collective memory and are especially important in nations where knowledge of the past has been erased or suppressed.
Abstract: This essay argues that computer histories contribute to collective memory and are especially important in nations where knowledge of the past has been erased or suppressed. Computer histories also can enrich national understandings of the past and contribute to ongoing debates over history and its relation to the present.
TL;DR: BBN's activities from 1948-1989 to transfer technology and intellectual property from its basic sponsored consulting, research, and development business into a variety of commercial and other products and services are described.
Abstract: BBN's basic business since its founding has been contract consulting, research, and development. This article describes BBN's activities from 1948-1989 to transfer technology and intellectual property from its basic sponsored consulting, research, and development business into a variety of commercial and other products and services. This article was intended to give a sense of the varied technology transfer activities that took place at BBN over the better part of 40 years. Although the push to commercialize technology was certainly driven by BBN's board of directors and corporate management, many members of the technical staff also considered it extremely important that their ideas and invention be brought to market. Further, key members of the management and technical leadership teams that compromised BBN's commercial subsidiaries were often drawn from the company's professional services divisions. Finally, management always paid great attention to share in any financial benefit derived from commercial applications of their work.
TL;DR: The Colossus Mk2 computer used in code breaking during World War II has been particularly difficult and challenging - almost nothing remained of the original machines.
Abstract: Rebuilding the Colossus Mk2 computer used in code breaking during World War II has been particularly difficult and challenging - almost nothing remained of the original machines. The original drawings and nearly all the circuit diagrams had been destroyed. Then, too, what Colossus actually did was kept secret until recently. These difficulties have been gradually resolved, however. The result? A working example of early electronic computer designs at its innovative best.
TL;DR: The current work describes the coordination of worldwide efforts in IBM that were launched in the 1970s to ensure implementation of far Eastern language requirements with IBM products, in order that IBM would maintain its leading role in the IT industry.
Abstract: For Part 1 see "Requirements and Initial Phonetic Product Solutions in the 1960s," and for Part 2, see "Initial Efforts for Full Kanji Solutions, 1970s." The current work describes the coordination of worldwide efforts in IBM that were launched in the 1970s to ensure implementation of far Eastern language requirements with IBM products, in order that IBM would maintain its leading role in the IT industry.
TL;DR: The ready reckoner, a printed book containing tables of precalculated multiplication results that could be useful in business transactions, was a widely used aid.
Abstract: Multiplication is vital to the conduct of commerce but is time-consuming and error-prone. Among the many aids developed over two centuries to address these issues, the most widely used was the ready reckoner, a printed book containing tables of precalculated multiplication results that could be useful in business transactions.
TL;DR: The authors describe the intricacies of character encoding, processing, and printing involved in IBM's successful efforts to develop the first commercial general Kanji computer system.
Abstract: The authors describe the intricacies of character encoding, processing, and printing involved in IBM's successful efforts to develop the first commercial general Kanji computer system. Later during this time frame, the first commercial Kanji system was introduced. IBM was also launching development of the first computerized newspaper publishing system to offer Kanji capability.
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TL;DR: This issue of Events & Sightings covers the 50th Anniversary of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Compatible Time-Sharing System (CTSS) and includes an obituary of Jean Carteron, an influential actor in the development of computing in France.
Abstract: This Events a Sightings installment covers a range of recent events focusing on the history of computing.
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TL;DR: A new conception of humans emerged and spread from the 1940s to the 1960s linked to a cybernetic vision of man-computer symbiosis and to the conviction that communication was fundamental to the problem-solving process.
Abstract: A new conception of humans emerged and spread from the 1940s to the 1960s. It was linked to a cybernetic vision of man-computer symbiosis and to the conviction that communication was fundamental to the problem-solving process. This vision inspired an influential group of patrons and researchers to set a new agenda for computing.
TL;DR: Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) is considered a core element of computer science as mentioned in this paper, yet it has not coalesced; many researchers who identify their focus as human-computer interaction reside in other fields.
Abstract: Human-computer interaction is considered a core element of computer science. Yet it has not coalesced; many researchers who identify their focus as human-computer interaction reside in other fields...
TL;DR: In 1956 the Swedish company Facit, previously engaged in producing electro-mechanical office equipment, recruited a group of Swedish top engineers within computer technology, known as the BESK boys, to help develop computer systems for the post-war era.
Abstract: In 1956 the Swedish company Facit, previously engaged in producing electro-mechanical office equipment, recruited a group of Swedish top engineers within computer technology, known as the BESK boys...
TL;DR: Although most people view Google as primarily a Web search engine, a lesser-known aspect also exists that might be useful to computing historians.
Abstract: The Google search engine is becoming a ubiquitous feature in contemporary Internet culture. Myriad subtleties have developed for the verb "to google", from using the Google search engine to a search for information about a prospective date to an emerging, and corporately contested, synonym for Web searching. Although most people view Google as primarily a Web search engine, a lesser-known aspect also exists that might be useful to computing historians.
TL;DR: The author sketches the Arpanet project at BBN from his position as project leader, and he describes BBN's unusual mix of government-funded R&D and commercial activity, including issues and anecdotes involving government contracting, overhead rates, and employee motivation.
Abstract: The author notes his MIT background and transition from MIT Lincoln Laboratory to Bolt Beranek and Newman. He sketches the Arpanet project at BBN from his position as project leader, and he describes BBN's unusual mix of government-funded R&D and commercial activity, including issues and anecdotes involving government contracting, overhead rates, and employee motivation.
TL;DR: Charles Babbage's early thoughts on table creation and the use of finite differences, the origins of the Analytical Engine, and the 1991 reconstruction of the Difference Engine at the Science Museum in London are described.
Abstract: This paper describes Charles Babbage's early thoughts on table creation and the use of finite differences, the origins of the Analytical Engine, and the 1991 reconstruction of the Difference Engine at the Science Museum in London in time for Babbage's 200th birthday anniversary.