The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1939-1949, 1944-12-28
Machine Solves
Many Problems
Calculator Will Be Used to
Explore Vast Fields
In Mathematics.
CAMBRIDGE, MASS. -

CAMBRIDGE. MASS. - A ma
chine that thinks" and is possessed
of an algebraic superbrain has been
presented to Harvard university.
The machine. the theoretical ba.
sis for which was worked out by
Comdr. Howard H. Aiken, U.S.N.R..
associate professor Of applied
mathematics on leave from the Har-
ward graduate school of engineering.
performs every mathematical opera
ton called for in every known type
Of mathematical problem.
At the dictation Of 4 mathe-
matician, it win solve in matter
of hours equations never before
solved because of their intricacy
and the enormous time and person
mel which would be required to work
them out on ordinary Office calcula-
tors.
For the present the calculator,
which consists of an interlocking
panel of small gears, counters.
switches and control circuits only
a few inches in depth. held in a
steel frame 81 feet long and 8 feet
high, will be used by the navy for
war service.
After the war it will be used to
explore vast fields in pure mathe-
mates previously barred from re-
search by excessively intricate and
time-consuming calculations. and in
the applications of higher mathe-
mates to all cumulative sciences.
Completely new in principle, unlike
any calculator previously built. the
machine will solve virtually any
known problem in applied mathe-
mates, producing a result accurate
to % significant figures.
Among many time consuming
problems the machine is especially
designed to handle are the compu-
tation and tabulation of functions.
evaluation of integrals. solution of
ordinary differential equations. So
luton of simultaneous linear al
gebraic equation, computation of
least squares and operations in har-
monte and in statistical analysis.
In the completed machine are 500
miles of wire, 3,OOO.000 wire con-
nections. $500 multiple relays with
$4,000 contacts, 2.225 counters, ]. 464
10-pole switches and tiers of ~ add.
ing machines. each with q signifi-
cant numbers.
To carry out solutions, the ma
chine is equipped to consult loga-
rithmic and ,othor functional tables
lying in it or coded on tapes.
The operation of the machine is
controlled by coded tape. To use
it, a mathematician must prepare
the problem for the machine, con.
verting figures, signs and symbols
into code holes according to code
book written by Commander Aiken
with the assistance Of Ensign
Campbell. So
The operator, who need not
be trained mathematician. then
punches code holes. using special
ly developed punch, into the control
tape to feed the problem to the ma.
chine. Each item of information
punched amounts to single state.
ment of direction, such as take the
number out of counter A: deliver to
counter B; start grouping opera
ton"
The tape passes over a drum ad-
vanced by means of a rotating
clutch connected to the main power
drive. The holes in the tape are
recognized by mechanical feelers.
which close relays. These relays
set up the electrical circuits neces-
sary to the routing Of numbers
through the plant and the initiation
of the various procedures.
Addition and subtraction are per.
formed with the use of adding coun.
tiers. multiplication with a unique
mechanical multiplication table.
division with the table and sensing
circuit, and computation of elemen.
tary. trigonometric and hyperbolic
functions. and functions of the func.
tons, by mechanical tables.
Encoded functions can be cata.
logued in the library for use in fu-
ture problems. Thus typical prob
lem. which formerly took four ex-
pert girls three weeks using ordinary
calculators, is solved by this ma.
chine in 10 hours.