50 Years of Army Computing: From ENIAC to MSRC

This is the record of a symposium and celebration sponsored by the Army Research Laboratory and the U.S. Army Ordnance Center and School held in 1996 at the Aberdeen Proving Ground. U.S. Army researchers played a fundamental role in the inauguration of the modern computer age. The urgent need for high-performance computing during World War II led the U.S. Army Ordnance Corps to fund the design and implementation of the world's first high-speed electronic automatic computer, the ENIAC. The symposium was held to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the dedication of the ENIAC. The commemoration also marked another important milestone in the history of Army computing, the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Army Research Laboratory Major Shared Resource Center (MSRC). This large high-performance computing facility features heterogeneous supercomputing systems, massive near-line storage, robust high-speed networking, and scientific visualization with video production capabilities. The symposium provided a wonderful opportunity to recognize the contributions and dedication of the Army computing pioneers and to trace the growth of an industry and its impact on the Army over 50 years. The accomplishments of the early computing pioneers, many of whom participated in the proceedings, are an indelible part of the legacy of the Army research. This document is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in the fascinating history of early computer technology! Contents include:History of Early Computing * ENIAC: Development and Early Days * Women Pioneers * Digital Computing at BRL * 1939-1954: ENIAC and the First Computer Survey * EDVAC, ORDVAC * BRLESC I and II * HEP * ENIAC Put to Work * Applications * The Early Computer Industry * Recent History: Supercomputers and Networking