Howard Hathaway Aiken
Howard Aiken (1900-1973) completed new work/findings in mathematical linguistics, the automatic translation of languages, switching theory, and the use of magnetic cores and drums as computer components.
Life
Aiken worked at: Madison Gas 1923-28; General engineer, Westinghouse Electrical and Manufacturing Company 1928-31; Line Material Company 1931-32. Aiken earned a Bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin in 1923, Master's degree from Harvard University in physics in 1937, and a doctorate from Harvard University in physics in 1939.
Aiken's obituary can be found at Howard H. Aiken, built computer: Developer of the Mark I dies--Was Harvard professor. (1973, Mar. 16). The New York Times, 44.
Contributions
Aiken wanted to created an automatic calculating machine which could handle most mathematical functions. He began research on large-scale calculating machines with IBM in 1939. At Harvard University he was: Faculty instructor 1939-41; Associate Professor 1941-46; Professor 1946; Director of the Computation Laboratory from 1946-1961. He was a Professor of Information Technology at Miami University from 1961-1973.
He completed the Mark I in 1944. The Mark I was different from Bush's differential analyzer, because it could solve almost all mathematical problems. (Bush's machine only solved differential equations.) Mark I was important, since it was available to people outside of the government. Mark I was electromechanical rather than electronic. Aiken began construction on the Mark II for the Dahlgreen Proving Ground of the Navy's Bureau of Ordnance in 1945. Unlike the Mark I, the Mark II was built with electromagnetic parts. The construction of Mark III was completed in 1950 and was called the Aiken Dahlgreen Electronic Computer (ADEC). The Mark IV was completed in 1952 for the US Air Force. Aiken also helped create a computer science program as well as a computing center at the University of Miami. He founded Howard Aiken Industries Inc., a New York consulting firm.
AWARDS:
Ralph E. Hackett Award for Science (1954); Navy Distinguished Public Service Award (1955), Air Force Decoration for Exceptional Civilian Service (1957); University of Wisconsin Testimonial of Eminent Professional Service (1958); IEEE Computer Society Pioneer Award (1980)
Selected Publications
He served as Editor of Annals of the Computation Laboratory of Harvard University
Papers
LOCATION #1: Harvard University Library, Special Collections.
- PAPERS DATES: 1937.
- SIZE:1 manuscript.
- INCLUDES: Multigraph copy of a 1930 paper on a proposed calculating machine.
- SOURCE: Harvard University Online Catalog.