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The Atanasoff-Berry Computer was the world's first electronic
digital computer. It was built by John Vincent Atanasoff and
Clifford Berry at Iowa State University during 1937-42. It
incorporated several major innovations in computing including
the use of binary arithmetic, regenerative memory, parallel
processing, and separation of memory and computing functions.
On October 19, 1973, US Federal Judge Earl R. Larson signed
his decision
following a lengthy court
trial which declared the ENIAC patent of Mauchly and Eckert
invalid and named Atanasoff the inventor of the electronic
digital computer -- the Atanasoff-Berry Computer or the ABC.
Clark Mollenhoff in his book, Atanasoff,
Forgotten Father of the Computer, details the design and
construction of the Atanasoff-Berry Computer with emphasis
on the relationships of the individuals. Alice and Arthur
Burks in their book, The
First Electronic Computer: The Atanasoff Story, describe
the design and construction of the ABC and provide a more
technical perspective. Numerous articles
provide additional information. In recognition of his achievement,
Atanasoff was awarded the National
Medal of Technology by President George Bush at the White
house on November 13, 1990.
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