Special Collections Department
403 Parks Library
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011-2140

MS 267
Henry L. Hanson (1921-    )
Papers, 1942-1989, undated


Descriptive summary

creator: Hanson, Henry L. (1921-    )
title: Papers
dates: 1942-1989, undated
extent: 2.94 linear feet (6 document boxes and 2 half-document boxes)
collection number: MS 267
repository: Special Collections Department, Iowa State University.

 

Administrative information

access: Open for research
publication rights: Consult Head, Special Collections Department
preferred citation: Henry L. Hanson Papers, MS 267, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University Library.

 

Historical note

Henry L. Hanson was born on August 26, 1921. Hanson received a B.S. (1943) from Iowa State College (University) in electrical engineering and a L.L.B. (1951) from Willis Mitchell Law School in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Hanson was the Corporate Patent Counsel for Honeywell Incorporated during the time of the ENIAC trial. He retired (ca. 1989) and moved to Sun City West, Arizona.

In the Honeywell Incorporated vs. Sperry Rand Corporation trial, Sperry Rand Corporation was attempting to establish the validity of patent rights they had purchased from J. Presper Eckert and John W. Mauchly. These rights included the Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer, or ENIAC, which Eckert and Mauchly had patented in 1964. Honeywell Incorporated was trying to establish that Mauchly had obtained important concepts used in the ENIAC from examination of a device known as the Atanasoff Berry Computer, or ABC, during a visit to Ames, Iowa in June of 1941.

The Atanasoff Berry Computer was built by Iowa State College (University) physics professor John V. Atanasoff and physics graduate student Clifford E. Berry. It was inspired by Atanasoff's desire to eliminate the drudgery of the extensive mathematical calculations required for any research in physics at the time. At first he experimented with upgrades of the commercial calculators then available. In the winter of 1937/1938, Atanasoff devised a plan for an electronic digital computer. He applied to the Iowa State College graduate school for a grant to cover expenses for the machine and work was begun in the fall of 1939. A working prototype was completed within a few months, and a demonstration to college officials helped secure a further grant from the Iowa State College Research Council. Work continued throughout 1940, and during this time preliminary work was done toward securing a patent for the machine. It was also in 1940 that John V. Atanasoff met John W. Mauchly at the annual American Association for the Advancement of Science meeting. Mauchly, a physics professor at Ursinus College, was very interested in Atanasoff's computer machine. He visited the Iowa State College campus in June of 1941 to view the device, spending about five days as Atanasoff's houseguest.

Refinements continued to be made to the device, but World War II was to intervene in the project. Berry graduated in 1941 and took a job in California. Atanasoff took leave from Iowa State and went to work at the Naval Ordnance Laboratory in September of 1942. He never returned to the college. Iowa State College never patented the Atanasoff Berry Computer and it was dismantled in 1948.

John W. Mauchly went on to work at the Moore School of Electrical Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania. It was here, with J. Presper Eckert and others, that he was to develop the ENIAC. It was originally built for the United States. Army to be used for calculation of trajectory firing tables. The design of this machine would, years later, become the focus of Honeywell incorporated vs. Sperry Rand Corporation.

One of the longest trials ever held in the federal court system, Honeywell vs. Sperry Rand began June 1, 1971 and continued through March 13, 1972. The final judgment by Judge Earl R. Larson came in April of 1973. His Finding of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Order of Judgment invalidated the ENIAC patent.

 

Collection description

This collection (1942-1989, undated) contains selections from the litigation files of Honeywell Incorporated relating to Honeywell Incorporated vs. Sperry Rand Corporation, Civil Action No. 4-67, Civil 138 in the U. S. District Court, District of Minnesota, Fourth Division. Among the files are correspondence, affidavits, motions, briefs, memoranda, depositions, trial transcripts, findings of fact, publications, and photographs (For the judgment, refer to files 5/3 - 5/8).

 

Related materials

Additional collections in the Special Collectiosn and University Archives, Iowa State University Library include:

 

 

Description of series

Series 1 Background Information
1942-1964
extent: 0.32 linear feet
description: Series includes chronological lists and event summaries, ENIAC history, minutes, news clippings, and the ENIAC patent.

 

Container list

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

1

1

Mauchly, John W. "The Use of High-Speed Vacuum Tube Devices for Calculating"

1942

1

2

News clippings regarding the death of John W. Mauchly's wife, Mary Mauchly

1946

1

3

Minutes of a conference held at the Moore School of Electrical Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, to discuss patent matters relating to the Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer (EDVAC)

1947

1

4

Eckert, J.P., Jr. et al. "Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer" (U.S. Patent No. 3,120,606)

1964

1

5

Agreement regarding the sale of the Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC) to Illinois Scientific Developments, Inc. by Sperry Rand Corporation

1964

1

6

Chronological event list relating to the ENIAC, covering 1943-1968

undated

1

7

J. Presper Eckert chronological event list, covering 1919-1967

undated

1

8

J. Presper Eckert chronological event summary, covering 1919-1967

undated

1

9

John W. Mauchly chronological event summary, covering 1943-1968

undated

1

10

Correspondence by Sperry Rand Corporation personnel and counsel regarding ENIAC efforts

1965

1

11

Hanson, Henry L. "ENIAC Patent--Eckert et al.--3,120,606" (History and background of the ENIAC)

1967

 

Description of series

Series 2 Correspondence
1967-1971
extent: 0.42 linear feet
description: Series includes correspondence between Honeywell Inc., their legal counsel, John V. Atanasoff, Dmitri Allegretti, Henry Halladay, and Henry Hanson.

 

Container list

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

1

12

Correspondence between Honeywell Inc. employees and counsel (June-July)

1967

1

13

Correspondence between Honeywell Inc. employees, counsel, and John V. Atanasoff (August)

1967

2

1

Correspondence between Honeywell Inc. employees, counsel, and John V. Atanasoff (September)

1967

2

2

Correspondence between Honeywell Inc. employees, counsel, and John V. Atanasoff (October-November)

1967

2

3

Correspondence between Honeywell Inc. employees and counsel (January)

1968

2

4

Correspondence between Honeywell Inc. employees, counsel, and John V. Atanasoff (June)

1968

2

5

Correspondence between Honeywell Inc. employees, counsel, and John V. Atanasoff (July)

1968

2

6

Correspondence between Honeywell Inc. employees, counsel, and John V. Atanasoff (August-September)

1968

2

7

Correspondence between Honeywell Inc. employees and counsel (October)

1968

2

8

Letter from Dmitri Allegretti to Henry Halladay regarding Project PX, which resulted in the development of the ENIAC. (1 B&W 8x10 photograph)

1970

2

9

Memoranda to Henry L. Hanson regarding the number of Dorsey, Marquart, Windhorst, West and Halladay personnel working on Honeywell Inc. vs. Sperry Rand Corporation

1971

 

 

Description of subseries

Subseries 1 Litigation - General
1964-1971
extent: 4 folders
description: Includes general information on the lawsuit and the two parties involved.

 

Container list

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

2

10

Pre-suit news coverage

1964, 1967

2

11

Initial Honeywell Inc., Illinois Scientific Developments, Inc., and Sperry Rand Corporation correspondence

1964-1966

2

12

Honeywell Inc., Illinois Scientific Developments, Inc., and Sperry Rand Corporation correspondence and pre-suit material

1966-1967

3

1

"Electronic Litigation File."  Script of a presentation by Henry L. Hanson regarding the Electronic Litigation File (ELF), a system devised to manage the massive amount of paperwork generated by the ENIAC trial

1971

 

Description of subseries

Subseries 2 Litigation - Illinois Scientific Developments, Inc. vs. Honeywell Inc., Civil Action No. 1373-67 in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia
1967-1968
extent: 19 folders
description: Includes information related to the trial.

 

Container list

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

3

2

Complaint for Infringement of Patent. May 26

1967

3

3

Index of exhibits

[1967]

3

4

Memorandum of Points and Authorities in Support of Defendant Honeywell's - Motion to Dismiss upon the Ground that Plaintiff, a Foreign Corporation, is Doing Business in the District of Columbia, Without a Certificate of Authority and is Thereby Barred from Bringing this Action

1967

3

5

Memorandum of Points and Authorities in Support of Motion of Defendant - Honeywell Inc. for Change of Venue to the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, Fourth Division in Minneapolis

1967

3

6

Stipulation. June 14

1967

3

7

Affidavit of Henry L. Hanson. June 29

1967

3

8

Motion of Defendant Honeywell Inc. for Change of Venue to the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, Fourth Division. July 5

1967

3

9

Plaintiff's Opposition to "Motion of Defendant Honeywell for Change of Venue to - the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, Fourth Division in Minneapolis. circa July 25

1967

3

10

Plaintiff's Memorandum of Points and Authorities in Opposition to Defendant's - Motion "for Change of Venue". circa July 25

1967

3

11

Plaintiff's Memorandum of Points and Authorities in Opposition to Defendant's - Motion to Dismiss. August 1

1967

3

12

Disposition of Henry L. Hanson. August 14

1967

3

13

Supplemental Affidavit of William D. Hall. September 22

1967

3

14

Plaintiff's Supplemental Memorandum in Opposition to Defendant's Motion for - "Change of Venue". September 22

1967

3

15

Plaintiff's Supplemental Opposition to Defendant Honeywell's "Motion for - Change of Venue to the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, Fourth Division in Minneapolis". September 22

1967

3

16

Defendant's Reply to Plaintiff's Supplemental Opposition to Defendant's Motion - for Change of Venue. October 1

[1967]

3

17

Supplemental Points and Authorities in Support of Defendant Honeywell's Motion to Dismiss. October 3

1967

3

18

Transcript of Proceedings. October 5

1967

3

19

Affidavit of Joseph V. Keady. October 20

1967

3

20

Transcript of Proceedings. February 16

1968

 

Description of subseries

Subseries 3 Litigation - Illinois Scientific Developments, Inc. vs. Honorably John J. Sirica, Judge, United States District Court for the District of Columbia
1967
extent: 20 folders
description: Includes information related to the trial.

 

Container list

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

3

21

Opposition of Intervener Honeywell Inc. to Petition for Writ of Mandamus and Stay. October 10

1967

3

22

Notes of Motion for Stay. October 11

1967

3

23

Petition for Writ of Mandamus and Stay. October 11

1967

3

24

Order. October 12

1967

3

25

Affidavit of Herbert T. Markel. October 16

1967

3

26

Opposition to Petition for Writ of Mandamus. October 16

1967

3

27

Opposition of Intervener Honeywell Inc. to Petition for Writ of Mandamus and Stay. October 16

1967

3

28

Petition for Leave to Interview on Behalf of Defendant Honeywell Inc. in Opposition to Petition of Illinois Scientific Developments, Inc. for Writ of Mandamus and Stay. October 16

1967

3

29

Reply of Intervener Honeywell Inc. to Motion for Leave to File Memorandum in Support of Petition for Writ of Mandamus. October 16

1967

3

30

Memorandum in Support of Petitioner's Application for a Writ of Mandamus. October 17

1967

3

31

Motion for Leave to File Brief in Support of Petition for Writ of Mandamus. October 17

1967

3

32

Order. October 19

1967

3

33

Affidavit of Henry L. Hanson. October 20

1967

3

34

Affidavit of Earl R. Rickheim. October 20

1967

3

35

Affidavit of Charles G. Call. October 21

1967

3

36

Motion of Intervener Honeywell Inc. for Leave to Supplement Record or in the Alternative to Remand for Reopening of Record. October 23

1967

3

37

Order. circa October 25

1967

3

38

Motion of Intervener Honeywell Inc. for Leave to File Additional Affidavit as Exhibit to Intervener's Prior Motion to Supplement Record or in the Alternative to Remand for Reopening the Record. October 27

1967

3

39

Petitioner's Memorandum in Opposition to Intervener's Motion for Leave to Supplement the Record or in the Alternative to Remand for Reopening the Record. October 27

1967

3

40

Petitioner's Opposition to Intervener's Motion for Leave to Supplement Record or in the Alternative to Remand for Reopening of Record. circa October 28

1967

 

Description of subseries

Subseries 4 Litigation - Honeywell Inc. vs. Edward J. Brenner, Commissioner of Patents, Civil Action No. 4-69, Civil 66, in the United States District of Minnesota, Fourth Division
1969
extent: 10 folders
description: Includes information related to the trial.

 

Container list

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

3

41

Motion for Summary Judgement by Defendant

1969

3

42

Points and Authorities

1969

3

43

Points and Authorities in Support of Defendant's Motion for Summary Judgement and Motion to Dismiss

1969

3

44

Statement of Material Facts

1969

3

45

Answer

July 18, 1969

3

46

Brief in Support of Plaintiff's Motion for Summary Judgement on the Merits and in Opposition to Defendant's Motion for Summary Judgement

August 27, 1969

3

47

Notice of Appeal

ca. October 1969

3

48

Affidavit in Support of Motion for Relief from Order and Motion to Dismiss

November 18, 1969

3

49

Motion for Relief from Order

November 20, 1969

3

50

Brief in Opposition to Defendant's Motion for Relief from Order and Defendant's Motion to Dismiss

ca. December 1969

 

Description of subseries

Subseries 5 Litigation - Honeywell Inc. vs. Edward J. Brenner, Commissioner of Patents, Civil Action No. 4-69 Civil 136 in the United States District Court, District of Minnesota, Fourth Division
1969
extent: 8 folders
description: Includes information related to the trial.

 

Container list

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

3

51

Points and Authorities

1969

3

52

Brief in Support of Plaintiff's Motion for Summary Judgement, Judgement of the Merits and in Opposition to Defendant's Motion to Dismiss

August 27, 1969

4

1

Letter from Kenneth Wells Parkinson to Raymond E. Martin of the U.S. Patent Office

October 6, 1969

4

2

Motion for Summary Judgement, Points and Authorities, and Statement of Material Facts

ca. October-November 1969

4

3

Affidavit in Support of Motion for Relief from Order and Motion for Summary Judgement

November 18, 1969

4

4

Order

November 28, 1969

4

5

Letter from James T. Halverson to Dmitri D. Allegretti

December 9, 1969

4

6

Brief in Opposition to Defendant's Motion for Summary Judgement (marked "not used")

undated

 

Description of series

Subseries 6 Litigation - Honeywell Inc. vs. Sperry Rand Corporation, Civil Action No. 4-67, Civil 138 in the U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota, Fourth Division
1967-1973
extent: 30 folders
description: Includes information related to the trial.

 

Container list

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

4

7

Complaint

May 26, 1967

4

8

Subpoena issued to Bert T. Oakley

June 21, 1967

4

9

Subpoena issued to George J. Wade

June 21, 1967

4

10

Affidavit of William D. Hall in Support of Defendant's Motion to Transfer or Stay

June 22, 1967

4

11

Affidavit of Janet Wibom

June 22, 1967

4

12

Notice of Motion

June 26, 1967

4

13

Subpoena issued to William D. Hall

July 12, 1967

4

14

Affidavit of Henry L. Hanson

August 8, 1967

4

15

Memorandum in Support of Defendant's Motion to Transfer or Stay

August 8, 1967

4

16

Memorandum of Honeywell in Opposition of Motion to Transfer or Stay

August 8, 1967

4

17

Transcript of Proceedings

August 8, 1967

4

18

Answer

August 9, 1967

4

19

Memo on Affidavit and Deposition of Henry L. Hanson

August 21, 1967

4

20

Affidavit of Charles G. Call

September 8, 1967

4

21

Reply Memorandum of Honeywell in Opposition to Transfer or Stay

September 12, 1967

4

22

Reply Memorandum in Support of Defendant's Motion to Transfer or Stay

September 27, 1967

4

23

Plaintiff's Memorandum in Response to Defendant's Reply Memorandum

October 4, 1967

4

24

Supplemental Reply Memorandum in Support of Motion of Honeywell Inc. for Transfer to the District of Minnesota

February 5, 1968

4

25

Amended Complaint

May 1, 1968

4

26

Memorandum of Sperry Rand Corporation and Illinois Scientific Developments, Inc. Concerning Issues in the case

March 6, 1970

4

27

Iowa State University Research Foundation Inc. Intervention Papers - Appendix

1971

4

28

Iowa State University Research Foundation Inc. Intervention Papers - Brief for Appellant

1971

5

1

Pre-Trial Conference in Chambers of Judge Larson

March 26, 1971

5

2

Summary of the Testimony of Warren Weaver

March 6, 1972

5

3

Findings - includes a letter from Judge Earl L. Larson and a news clipping

April 9 and 12, 1973

5

4

Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, and Order from Judgement, pp. 1-60

1973

5

5

Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, and Order from Judgement, pp. 61-125

1973

5

6

Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, and Order from Judgement, pp. 126-207

1973

5

7

Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, and Order from Judgement, pp. 208-248

1973

5

8

Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, and Order from Judgement, Appendix, Table of Contents, and Table of Authorities

1973

 

Description of series

Series 4 Microfiche
1971-1972
extent: 22 folders (0.63 linear feet)
description: Series includes trial transcripts, miscellaneous indexes, trial exhibits, chronologies, and witness indexes.

 

Container list

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

6

1

Trial Transcript, June 1-August 2

1971

6

2

Trial Transcript, August 2-September 30

1971

6

3

Trial Transcript, September 30-December 1

1971

6

4

Trial Transcript, December 1-February 2

1971-1972

6

5

Trial Transcript, February 2-March 13

1972

6

6

Author/Addressee Nos. 1-8 and Author/Chronological Nos. 1-8

undated

6

7

Alphabetical Nos. 1-13, June

1970

6

8

Deposition Chronology Nos. 1-3, November 8

1971

6

9

Author/Addressee Nos. 1-18, December 6

1971

6

10

Chronology - Trial Exhibits Nos. 1-24, December 6

1971

6

11

Trial Exhibits Offered in Evidence Nos. 1-14, December 10

1971

6

12

J. Presper Eckert Nos. 1-3, January 29

1972

6

13

Cited List Nos. 1-2, February 15

1972

6

14

Exhibit List Nos. 1-6, February 21

1972

6

15

Post Trial Brief Nos. 1-14, March 4

1972

7

1

Keyword in Context Testimony Nos. 1-4 and Trial Exhibit File Backup Nos. 1-12, July

1972

7

2

Author/Addressee List Nos. 1-41, July 1

1972

7

3

Author/Addressee Supplement No. 1, July 1

1972

7

4

Chronology Nos. 1-45, July 1

1972

7

5

Keyword in Context Nos. 1-18, July 1

1972

7

6

Keyword in Context Nos. 19-34, July 1

1972

7

7

"Witness Index to Trial Transcript" (indicates where specific witnesses appear in microfiche and trial transcript)

undated

 

Description of series

Series 5 Photographs
1946, undated
extent: 0.21 linear feet
description: Series includes photographs (25 B&W 4x5, 13 B&W 8x10) of the ENIAC, Mauchly's cryptographic machine and parts, trial witnesses, and slides (33 color) of the Atanasoff-Berry Computer.

 

Container list

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

7

8

ENIAC (7 B&W 8x10 photographs)

1946

7

9

Mauchly cryptographic machine (1 B&W 8x10 photograph)

undated

7

10

Back of Mauchly cryptographic machine (1 B&W 8x10 photograph)

undated

7

11

Front of Mauchly cryptographic machine (1 B&W 8x10 photograph)

undated

7

12

Rear of Mauchly harmonic analyzer (1 B&W 8x10 photograph)

undated

7

13

Mauchly binary railway flasher (1 B&W 8x10 photograph)

undated

7

14

Mauchly binary railway signal (1 B&W 8x10 photograph)

undated

7

15

Witnesses - Morris Adelman, John V. Atanasoff, Albert Auerbach, James H. Benger (4 B&W 4x5 photographs)

undated

7

16

Witnesses - Richard M. Bloch, John G. Brainerd, Hugh M. Bullard, and J.T. Cavender (4 B&W 4x5 photographs)

undated

7

17

Witnesses - Joseph Chedaker, Richard Clippinger, Ithiel Coleman, Lewis P. Elbinger (4 B&W 4x5 photographs)

undated

7

18

Witnesses - Murray Ellis, James Gambrell, Burgess Geib, Paul N. Gillon (4 B&W 4x5 photographs)

undated

7

19

Witnesses - Herman H. Goldstine, Henry L. Hanson, Harry Kenosian, David L. Ladd (4 B&W 4x5 photographs)

undated

7

20

Witness - John Wesley Leas, Sam Legvold, John R. Lenox, George M. Luhowy (4 B&W 4x5 photographs)

undated

7

21

Witnesses - J. Carson Mark, Jesse Markham, Daniel McBride, Patrick McGovern (4 B&W 4x5 photographs)

undated

7

22

Witnesses - James L. McPherson, Frank R. Michaels (missing), Robert E. Mumma, Manny Pokotilow (3 B&W 4x5 photographs)

undated

7

23

Witnesses - Jane Rajchman, Carl F. Rench, Kenneth Rose, Clarence Spangle (4 B&W 4x5 photographs)

undated

7

24

Witnesses - Edward Teller, Irvan Travis, Stanislaw Ulam, Lewis D. Wilson (4 B&W 4x5 photographs)

undated

7

25

Witnesses - Paul Winsor, Irma M. Wyman (2 B&W 4x5 photographs)

undated

7

26

Atanasoff-Berry Computer (33 color slides)

undated

 

Description of series

Series 6 Publications
1958-1989
extent: 0.21 linear feet
description: Series includes articles and news clippings documenting the history of the computer and the ENIAC vs. Atanasoff-Berry Computer trial.

 

Container list

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

8

1

Atanasoff, John V. "Advent of Electronic Digital Computing," Annals of the History of Computing, Vol. 6, No. 3

July 1984

8

2

Babbage, Richard H. "The Work of Charles Babbage"

undated

8

3

Burks, Arthur W. and Burks, Alice R. "The ENIAC:  First General Purpose Electronic Computer," Annals of the History of Computing, Vol. 3, No. 4

October 1981

8

4

Cohen, Jerry. "ENIAC Decision Could Impact IBM Case," Computerworld

February 20, 1974

8

5

"ENIAC Trial Records Available in CBI Archives," Charles Babbage Institute Newsletter, Vol. 7, No. 1

Fall 1984

8

6

Gardner, W. David. "How the Judge Looked at the IBM Sperry Rand ENIAC Pact," Datamation

1973 circa

8

7

"In Depth," Computerworld

July 9, 1984

8

8

"John Vincent Atanasoff and the ABC," The Iowa Stater, pp. 1, 6-8

January 1984

8

9

"John Von Neumann, 1903-1957," Bulletin of the American Mathematical Society, pp. 1-129

May 1958

8

10

Mackintosh, Allan R. "Dr. Atanasoff's Computer," Scientific American, August , pp. 90-96

1988

8

11

Mollenhoff, Georgia. "John V. Atanasoff, DP Pioneer--Part I," Computerworld

March 13, 1974

8

12

"Will the Inventor of the First Digital Computer Please Stand Up?" Datamation, pp. 84, 88-90

February 1974

8

13

Newspaper clippings

1972-1989, undated