Eckert-Mauchly Computer Corporation, 1947-1951
1947-1951Dates
- 1947-1951
Historical Note
The UNIVAC division of the Sperry Corporation has its origins in the Eckert-Mauchly Computer Corporation (EMCC), founded in 1946 by J. Presper Eckert and John W. Mauchly, who, under contract with the United States Army's Ordnance Department, developed Electronic Numerical Integrator And Computer (ENIAC), the first electronic digital computer.
Shortly after the construction of ENIAC, the firm began improving on the ENIAC design, developing the Binary Automatic Computer (BINAC) and the Universal Automated Computer (UNIVAC), the first commercial digital computer. In 1950, Eckert and Mauchly sold their firm to Remington Rand, Inc, a major manufacturer of business machines, who continued development of the UNIVAC system. The first UNIVAC was delivered in March 1951 to the United States Department of Commerce Bureau of the Census, and the following year, CBS television used a UNIVAC to predict the outcome of the 1952 presidential election. That same year, Remington Rand acquired the Minneapolis-based computer-development firm Engineering Research Associates (ERA). ERA and EMCC were consolidated to form the UNIVAC Division of Remington Rand.
Scope and Content
This series contains images of the facilities of the Eckert-Mauchly Computer Corporation, the equipment produced at these facilities, and the people who designed and developed this equipment. Facilities include the Moore School at University of Pennsylvania, and the Allegheny Avenue buildings. The bulk of this series consists of images of the ENIAC and BINAC computers (overall systems, individual components, and details of each component).
General Physical Description note
4x5 b&w negatives; 8x10 b&w prints of negatives; copy prints (exhibits in various lawsuits)
Additional Information
Extent
From the Collection: 105 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Additional Description
Access Restrictions
Access restricted; please contact staff in advance of research visit at askhagley@hagley.org for instructions on how to apply for access to material.
Litigators may not view the collection without approval.
Some items in this collection have been separated for future conservation work and are not available for research.
Film material is housed in cold storage and must reacclimate prior to viewing. Please contact the Audiovisual Collections and Digital Initiatives Department at least 48 hours in advance of research visit.
Related Names
Creator
- From the Collection: Sperry Rand (Corporation). Univac Division (Organization)
Repository Details
Repository Details
Part of the Audiovisual Collections Repository
