John Vincent Atanasoff

INDUCTED IN THE CLASS OF 2002

Notable accomplishments:

• Designed, with Clifford Berry, the Atanasoff-Berry Computer (1942)

Quotes:
“In man’s efforts to gain control of nature there are many relatively simply problems, but some much more complicated ones. Some of these problems are so involved that even engineers do not customarily try to solve them. If they are important enough, research experts work on them and put their solutions in practical form for the use of engineers. There are other problems which are not directly concerned with an engineer but are related to questions in pure science. This machine is designed for such research purposes.” (Iowa State Today, May 1, 1942)

Suggested reading:
“Atanasoff: Forgotten Father of the Computer” by Clark Mollenhoff (1988)

“The Man Who Invented the Computer” by Jane Smiley (2010)

Learn more:
John Vincent Atanasoff page at Iowa State University

The John Vincent Atanasoff papers at Iowa State University