Special Collections Department
403 Parks Library
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011-2140
RS 5/2/1/1
Iowa State University
Office of University Relations
John Vincent Atanasoff Collection, 1941-[ongoing]
Descriptive summary
creator: |
Iowa State University. Office of University Relations |
title: |
John Vincent Atanasoff Collection |
dates: |
1941-[ongoing] |
extent: |
6.46 linear ft. (3 records center cartons, 3 document boxes, 1 half-document box, and 1 oversized box) |
collection number: |
RS 5/2/1/1 |
repository: |
University Archives, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University. |
Administrative information
access: |
Open for research |
publication rights: |
Consult Head, Special Collections Department |
preferred citation: |
Iowa State University, Office of University Relations, John Vincent Atanasoff Collection, RS 5/2/1/1, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University Library. |
Historical note
John Vincent Atanasoff received his M.S. (1926) in Mathematics from Iowa State College (University) and received his Ph.D. (1930) in Theoretical Physics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He returned to Iowa State in 1930 as Assistant Professor in mathematics and physics and was promoted to Associate Professor (1936). Atanasoff began developing concepts for an electronic computing machine in 1937. It was shortly thereafter that he, along with graduate student Clifford Berry, started work on the world's first electronic digital computer. The computer would later be named the Atanasoff-Berry Computer (ABC).
Work on the machine stopped at the start of World War II in 1941 and the ABC was never patented. Atanasoff and Berry were both called to support the war effort and left Iowa State. By the end of the decade, the ABC was removed from the basement of Physics Hall and dismantled. Atanasoff and the ABC were part of a major court case between Honeywell, Inc. and Sperry Rand Corporation which occurred 1967-1973. The case involved the ENIAC patent which covered basic ownership rights to the design of electronic digital computers. During the trial, the judge concluded that the invention of the ENIAC was derived from the work of John Vincent Atanasoff at Iowa State University. A replica of the Atanasoff-Berry Computer was completed and unveiled to the public in 1996. The ABC replica was constructed by a team of Iowa State scientists at the Ames Laboratory and was exhibited at museums throughout the country over the next several years. |
Collection description
This collection (1941-[ongoing]) includes material collected and produced by the Iowa State University Office of University Relations regarding John Vincent Atanasoff and the Atanasoff-Berry Computer (ABC). The bulk of the material relates to the University-sponsored celebrations in honor of Atanasoff, the ABC replica project, and the ongoing effort to assert Atanasoff as the true inventor of the electronic digital computer. The collection contains biographical information, correspondence with Atanasoff and the Atanasoff family, promotional materials for the ABC replica project, news clippings, photographs, and slides. For additional information on the Atanasoff-Berry Computer and John V. Atanasoff, see the following collections: John Vincent Atanasoff Papers, RS 13/20/51; Clark Mollenhoff Papers, MS 599; and Henry L. Hanson Papers, MS 267. |
Organization
The collection is listed alphabetically. |
Container list
Box |
Folder |
Title |
Dates |
3 |
7 |
ABC celebration ceremony: notes (1 color slide) |
ca. 1983 |
7 |
1 |
ABC replica display in Durham Hall |
1999-2002 |
3 |
25 |
ABC replica project |
1996 |
6 |
8 |
ABC replica project: News clippings |
1996-1999 |
6 |
7 |
ABC replica project: News clippings and press releases |
1998-2000 |
7 |
2 |
ABC replica project: News clippings and photographs (14-5x7 color, 2-8x10 B&W photographs) |
1997-2000 |
7 |
3 |
ABC replica promotional materials |
1996-1999 |
6 |
3 |
ABC replica slide presentation (63 color slides) |
1997 |
6 |
5 |
ABC replica traveling exhibit: Correspondence and proposal |
1992-1998 |
6 |
4 |
ABC replica: Correspondence |
1998-1999 |
3 |
2 |
"Advent of Digital Electronic Computing" by J. V. Atanasoff |
1983 |
3 |
14 |
"Advent of Electronic Digital Computing" (original draft) |
n.d. |
2 |
16 |
Articles on Atanasoff and ABC |
1984, 1989 |
3 |
18 |
Atanasoff celebration notebook |
1983 |
1 |
38 |
Atanasoff celebration: Activities |
1986-1989 |
2 |
17-18 |
Atanasoff celebration: Guest list |
ca. 1988 |
1 |
36-37 |
Atanasoff celebration: Clark R. Mollenhoff book |
1988 |
4 |
OVR |
Atanasoff celebration: Photographs (2-8x10 B&W photographs) |
ca. 1988 |
1 |
39 |
Atanasoff celebration: Testimonial dinner and VEISHEA parade (17-3.5x5 color photographs) |
1988 |
1 |
40 |
Atanasoff celebration: Testimonial dinner planning materials |
1988 |
1 |
41 |
Atanasoff celebration: Testimonial dinner planning materials (4-5x7 B&W photographs) |
1988 |
1 |
44 |
Atanasoff celebration: Testimonial dinner program and invitation list |
1988 |
7 |
4 |
Atanasoff Day floppy disc (1-8" floppy disc) |
n.d. |
3 |
20 |
Atanasoff death: Photographs of family (8-3.5x5 color photographs) |
1995 |
5 |
7 |
Atanasoff documentary: Correspondence |
1992-1993 |
3 |
22 |
Atanasoff memorial and photos of ABC display in Durham Center (5-3.5x5 color photographs) |
1995 |
3 |
23 |
Atanasoff obituary and funeral |
1995 |
7 |
5 |
Atanasoff press conference and TV interview and Atanasoff celebration: 4 part series and ISU news line tape (1 audiotape) |
1983 |
2 |
14 |
Atanasoff promotion: Correspondence and articles |
1989-1990 |
2 |
15 |
Atanasoff promotion: History of ABC (5-4x5, 13-5x7, 3-8x10 B&W photographs) |
1983-1988 |
4 |
OVR |
Atanasoff sketch, original |
1988 |
7 |
6 |
Atanasoff slides |
n.d. |
1 |
24 |
Atanasoff: Biographical information and vita |
1989 |
5 |
8 |
Atanasoff: Forgotten Father of the Computer: Posters |
n.d. |
3 |
15 |
Atanasoff-Berry Computer: Correspondence and news clippings |
1954-1980 |
3 |
16 |
Atanasoff-Berry Computer: Correspondence and news clippings |
1981-1982 |
4 |
OVR |
"Ballad to John V. Atanasoff" |
1989 |
2 |
20 |
Correspondence and news clippings |
1986 |
1 |
35 |
Correspondence and news clippings: ABC and Atanasoff |
1986-1989 |
1 |
34 |
Correspondence and news clippings: ABC and Atanasoff celebration |
1986-1989 |
1 |
7 |
Correspondence and news clippings: ABC as first digital electronic computer |
1993 |
3 |
1 |
Correspondence and news clippings: Atanasoff |
1983 |
2 |
33-36 |
Correspondence and news clippings: Atanasoff |
1984 |
3 |
5 |
Correspondence and news clippings: Atanasoff |
1984 |
3 |
8 |
Correspondence and news clippings: Atanasoff |
1984 |
2 |
29-30 |
Correspondence and news clippings: Atanasoff |
1985 |
2 |
19 |
Correspondence and news clippings: Atanasoff |
1987 |
4 |
OVR |
Correspondence and news clippings: Atanasoff and ABC |
1983-1989 |
6 |
10 |
Correspondence and news clippings: Atanasoff and ABC |
1988-1998 |
1 |
15 |
Correspondence and news clippings: Atanasoff and ABC |
1990 |
1 |
5 |
Correspondence and news clippings: Atanasoff and ABC |
1991-1992 |
1 |
6 |
Correspondence and news clippings: Atanasoff and ABC |
1992 |
6 |
1 |
Correspondence and news clippings: Atanasoff and ABC (1-8x10, 2-5x7 B&W photographs) |
1998 |
5 |
6 |
Correspondence and news clippings: Atanasoff and ABC (4-8x10, 5-5x7, 13-3x5 B&W photographs) |
1983-1989 |
6 |
11 |
Correspondence and news clippings: Atanasoff and ABC replica project (2-3x4, 5-8x10 B&W photographs) |
1983-1997 |
3 |
6 |
Correspondence and news clippings: Atanasoff celebration and article |
1984 |
2 |
37 |
Correspondence and news clippings: Atanasoff celebration at Iowa State University |
1983 |
2 |
38 |
Correspondence and news clippings: Atanasoff celebration at Iowa State University |
1983 |
2 |
39 |
Correspondence and news clippings: Atanasoff celebration at Iowa State University |
1983 |
2 |
40 |
Correspondence and news clippings: Atanasoff celebration at Iowa State University |
1983 |
2 |
41 |
Correspondence and news clippings: Atanasoff celebration at Iowa State University, planning materials |
1983 |
2 |
42 |
Correspondence and news clippings: Atanasoff celebration at Iowa State University |
1983 |
2 |
43 |
Correspondence and news clippings: Atanasoff celebration at Iowa State University |
1983 |
1 |
14 |
Correspondence and news clippings: Atanasoff celebration at Iowa State University |
1990 |
2 |
3 |
Correspondence and news clippings: Atanasoff recognition and awards |
1988 |
2 |
4 |
Correspondence and news clippings: Atanasoff recognition and awards |
1988 |
1 |
4 |
Correspondence and news clippings: Death of Clark Mollenhoff |
1990-1991 |
3 |
21 |
Correspondence and news clippings: ENIAC |
1995 |
1 |
13 |
Correspondence and news clippings: Requests for information on Atanasoff |
1990 |
2 |
24 |
Correspondence: Articles on Atanasoff |
1986 |
3 |
4 |
Correspondence: Atanasoff |
1983 |
2 |
32 |
Correspondence: Atanasoff |
1984 |
2 |
26 |
Correspondence: Atanasoff |
1985 |
2 |
27 |
Correspondence: Atanasoff |
1985 |
2 |
28 |
Correspondence: Atanasoff |
1985 |
2 |
23 |
Correspondence: Atanasoff and Allan Mackintosh |
1986 |
1 |
23 |
Correspondence: Atanasoff celebration |
1989 |
1 |
19 |
Correspondence: Atanasoff celebration publicity |
1989 |
1 |
20 |
Correspondence: Atanasoff celebration publicity |
1989 |
1 |
21 |
Correspondence: Atanasoff celebration publicity |
1989 |
1 |
16 |
Correspondence: Atanasoff-Berry Computer publicity |
1983 |
1 |
31 |
Correspondence: DEO responses |
1986-1989 |
1 |
29 |
Correspondence: DEO responses |
1987 |
1 |
30 |
Correspondence: DEO responses |
1987 |
1 |
22 |
Correspondence: Information on Atanasoff |
1989 |
1 |
9 |
Correspondence: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Electrical Engineering Milestone Award |
1988-1990 |
2 |
22 |
Correspondence: Mollenhoff book |
1986 |
1 |
18 |
Correspondence: National historic landmark, history of ABC (1-5x7 color, 2-8x10 B&W photographs) |
1942-1983 |
1 |
10 |
Correspondence: WGBH-TV and Nova episode on computing |
1989-1992 |
1 |
8 |
Court case records showing judge's verdict that ENIAC was derived from Atanasoff and ABC |
1973 |
1 |
43 |
Display: Louisville, Kentucky |
1989 |
1 |
42 |
Display: Louisville, Kentucky (8-3.5 x 5 color photographs) |
1988-1989 |
3 |
17 |
"The ENIAC: First General-Purpose Electronic Computer" by Arthur Burks and Alice Burks |
1981 |
2 |
21 |
Executive order proclamation and Coors American Ingenuity Award: Press releases and programs |
1986 |
6 |
6 |
External Affairs: ABC, Erickson/Allen |
1997-1999 |
4 |
OVR |
Governor's Citation, Maryland (1-8x10 color photograph) |
1989 |
2 |
44 |
Governor's Science Medal |
1973-1984 |
2 |
31 |
Governor's Science Medal: Correspondence and certificate |
1985 |
1 |
17 |
History of ABC, Berry and Atanasoff: News articles, movie script, and proposed memorials |
1954-1983 |
1 |
3 |
History of ABC: News clippings |
1941-1981 |
5 |
1 |
Honeywell vs. Sperry Rand Corp. |
1967 |
5 |
2 |
Honeywell vs. Sperry Rand Corp. |
1967 |
6 |
2 |
Honorary Degree (ISU) and Iowa Award |
1999-2000 |
2 |
8 |
Honorary degrees (2-8x10 B&W photographs) |
1986-1988 |
3 |
9 |
Impacts of the Computer attachment/book A |
n.d. |
3 |
10 |
Impacts of the Computer attachment/book B-H Vol 1 |
n.d. |
3 |
11 |
Impacts of the Computer attachment/book I-O Vol 2 |
n.d. |
3 |
12 |
Impacts of the Computer attachment/book P-R Vol 3 |
n.d. |
3 |
13 |
Impacts of the Computer attachment/book S-V Vol 4 |
n.d. |
7 |
8 |
Jischke/ABC: Washington D.C. tape (1 audiotape) |
1997 |
2 |
5 |
Manuscripts: "Computing Machine for the Solution of Large Systems of Linear Algebraic Equations," Atanasoff; "Design of Electrical Data Recording and Reading Mechanism," Berry (copies) |
1941, n.d. |
1 |
12 |
National Medal of Technology: Correspondence and news clippings |
1990-1991 |
1 |
11 |
National Medal of Technology: Nomination |
1998 |
5 |
5 |
News clipping on the ABC/ENIAC debate |
1983 |
4 |
OVR |
News clippings: Atanasoff |
1986-1990 |
6 |
9 |
News clippings: Atanasoff |
1998-2000 |
5 |
3 |
News clippings: Atanasoff and ABC |
1974-1988 |
2 |
7 |
Nominations for National Medal of Science |
1988 |
4 |
OVR |
On the Surface (Naval Surface Weapons Center) article about Atanasoff |
1984 |
8 |
1 |
Paul Harvey/Atanasoff tape |
1988 |
1 |
1 |
Photographs of Atanasoff, Berry, ABC computer replica and display (2-3x5 b/w, 2-5x7 b/w, 2-8x10 b/w, 3-3.5x5 color, 2-4x6 color, 2-4x6 color, 1-8x10 color photographs) |
n.d. |
4 |
OVR |
Picture of Atanasoff Hall |
n.d. |
2 |
9 |
Plaque for Atanasoff Hall |
1988 |
4 |
OVR |
Plaque for Atanasoff Hall |
n.d. |
3 |
3 |
Printed materials about Atanasoff and ABC |
1984 |
5 |
4 |
Publications about Atanasoff and ABC |
1980-1990 |
4 |
OVR |
"Rebuild ABC" project |
1990 |
1 |
28 |
"Rebuild ABC" project: correspondence |
1984-1990 |
4 |
OVR |
"Rebuild ABC" project schedule |
n.d |
2 |
25 |
Rotary of Club of Omaha, Nebraska, celebration in honor of Atanasoff |
1984 |
7 |
7 |
Rotary of Club of Omaha, Nebraska, celebration in honor of Atanasoff (1 audiotape) |
1984 |
3 |
24 |
Smithsonian Institute loan of drum |
1995 |
1 |
2 |
Smithsonian Institute loan: Correspondence and documentation |
1990 |
1 |
26 |
Smithsonian Institute: Clippings on exhibit and computer history literature |
1989 |
2 |
1-2 |
Smithsonian Institute: Correspondence |
1988-1989 |
2 |
10-13 |
Smithsonian Institute: Correspondence |
1989 |
1 |
27 |
Smithsonian Institute: Correspondence and computer history literature |
1989 |
1 |
25 |
Smithsonian Institute: Correspondence on exhibit |
1989 |
4 |
OVR |
The Iowa Stater: Articles about Atanasoff celebration |
1984 |
3 |
19 |
The Palimpsest: Article on Atanasoff |
1984 |
1 |
33 |
VEISHEA and Atanasoff Hall naming ceremony: Correspondence and planning materials |
1986-1989 |
1 |
32 |
VEISHEA and Atanasoff Hall naming ceremony: Photographs and press releases (2-3x5 color, 2-5x7 color, 1-8x10 color, 2-5x7 B&W, and 9-8x10 B&W photographs) |
1986-1989 |
8 |
2 |
World and I, "Forgotten Father of the Computer" article by Mollenhoff |
1990 |
2 |
6 |
World and I Magazine: Correspondence |
1989-1990 |