The Computer From Pascal To Von Neumann

In 1942 Lt. Herman H. Goldstine a former mathematics professor wasstationed at the Moore School of Electrical Engineering at the University ofPennsylvania. It w... » 

In 1942 Lt. Herman H. Goldstine a former mathematics professor wasstationed at the Moore School of Electrical Engineering at the University ofPennsylvania. It was there that he assisted in the creation of the ENIAC thefirst electronic digital computer. The ENIAC was operational in 1945 but plansfor a new computer were already underway. The principal source of ideas for thenew computer was John von Neumann who became Goldstines chief collaborator.Together they developed EDVAC successor to ENIAC. After World War II at theInstitute for Advanced Study they built what was to become the prototype ofthe presentday computer. Herman Goldstine writes as both historian andscientist in this first examination of the development of computing machineryfrom the seventeenth century through the early 1950s. His personal involvementlends a special authenticity to his narrative as he sprinkles anecdotes andstories liberally through his text. «