The BINAC. A product of the Eckert-Mauchly Computer Corp
[BINAC]
Sold by SOPHIA RARE BOOKS, Koebenhavn V, Denmark
Association Member:
AbeBooks Seller since 18 January 2013
Used
Ships from Denmark to U.S.A.
Quantity: 1 available
Add to basketSold by SOPHIA RARE BOOKS, Koebenhavn V, Denmark
Association Member:
AbeBooks Seller since 18 January 2013
Quantity: 1 available
Add to basketTHE FIRST STORED-PROGRAMME COMPUTER IN THE US. Very rare sales brochure for Eckert and Mauchly s BINAC, the first operational stored-programme computer in the United States. J. Presper Eckert, together with his partner John Mauchly, invented and constructed the first general-purpose digital computer (the ENIAC) during World War II. After the war he and Mauchly founded the first commercial computer company in the United States, the Electronic Control Co., soon renamed the Eckert-Mauchly Computer Corporation. While developing the UNIVAC for the U. S. Census Bureau, Eckert and Mauchly contracted with the Northrop Aircraft Company in southern California to develop and construct a BINary Automatic Computer (BINAC). The contract was signed in October 1947, with Northrop providing $80,000 up front; another $20,000 was due upon delivery of the machine. "Had it been finished on time [i.e., by May 15, 1948] it would have been in contention with the British computers at Manchester and Cambridge as the first working electronic stored-program computer. In reality it ran its first program in the late summer of 1949 and, as a consequence, became the first operational computer in America but not in the world" (Williams, pp. 359-360). With both input and output in base 8 (a compact way of representing binary values), the BINAC s design made it very difficult to use; in addition BINAC s complex and delicate machinery suffered in the delivery from Philadelphia to California, so much so that it was never able to function effectively as a production machine. Published the year BINAC was delivered, this flyer contains the computer s statistics, a brief outline of its elements and general characteristics, coding instructions, and a conversion table comparing decimal, coded decimal, binary, and octal numbers. A full-page illustration shows the various components of the system. The document was likely produced for distribution when the machine was being demonstrated to interested parties. It may be the only document extant that gives the complete instruction set (sixteen instructions) for BINAC. Few copies of this brochure would have been distributed, as only one machine was sold, and Eckert-Mauchly rapidly turned their attention to building UNIVAC. ABPC/RBH list only the OOC copy (Christie s 2005). "In 1948 the NBS [National Bureau of Standards] agreed to go ahead with the development work for UNIVAC and signed a contract. By that time the Eckert-Mauchly people were in a very awkward position. Because of the very limited income they had from the NBS contract over the last 18 months, they had searched around to find some other firm or agency that would be willing to keep the company alive until the UNIVAC development contracts would be awarded. Their search brought them into contact with the Northrop Aircraft Company which agreed to fund the development of a Binary Automatic Computer (BINAC). In October 1947 Northrop signed a contract for the construction of a computer to be finished by May 15, 1948 … "Northrop had envisaged the BINAC as an experimental machine which might become the forerunner of a much smaller airborne guidance system for the Snark missile they had under development. In the end it saw very little use by Northrop; some employees even claimed that although it functioned in the Eckert-Mauchly workshop, it never ran when finally delivered. This has been disputed by a number of Northrop employees who indicate that it did run several small problems after it had been delivered to their California location, but that was never in good enough shape to be used as a production machine. It would appear that a large part of the problem stemmed from the fact that Northrop took delivery in the Eckert-Mauchly workshop in Philadelphia and did not appreciate the fact that shipping a very sophisticated, highly experimental, machine required more than simply building crates and calling in the moving men" (ibid., pp. 359-360). "The BINAC consisted of two.
Seller Inventory # 5513
All items may be returned for a full refund for any reason within 14 days of receipt.
If you are a consumer you can cancel the contract in accordance with the following. Consumer means any natural person who is acting for purposes which are outside his trade, business, craft or profession.
INFORMATION REGARDING THE RIGHT OF CANCELLATION
Statutory Right to cancel
You have the right to cancel this contract within 14 days for any reason.
The cancellation period will expire after 14 days from the day on which you acquire, or a third party other than the carrier and indicated by you acquires, physical possession of the the last good or the last lot or piece.
To exercise the right to cancel, you must inform us, SOPHIA RARE BOOKS, Flaesketorvet 68, 1711, Koebenhavn V, Denmark, of your decision to cancel this contract by a clear statement (e.g. a letter sent by post, fax or e-mail). You may use the attached model cancellation form, but it is not obligatory. You can also electronically fill in and submit a clear statement on our website, under "My Purchases" in "My Account". If you use this option, we will communicate to you an acknowledgement of receipt of such a cancellation on a durable medium (e.g. by e-mail) without delay.
To meet the cancellation deadline, it is sufficient for you to send your communication concerning your exercise of the right to cancel before the cancellation period has expired.
Effects of cancellation
If you cancel this contract, we will reimburse to you all payments received from you, including the costs of delivery (except for the supplementary costs arising if you chose a type of delivery other than the least expensive type of standard delivery offered by us).
We may make a deduction from the reimbursement for loss in value of any goods supplied, if the loss is the result of unnecessary handling by you.
We will make the reimbursement without undue delay, and not later than 14 days after the day on which we are informed about your decision to cancel with contract.
We will make the reimbursement using the same means of payment as you used for the initial transaction, unless you have expressly agreed otherwise; in any event, you will not incur any fees as a result of such reimbursement.
We may withhold reimbursement until we have received the goods back or you have supplied evidence of having sent back the goods, whichever is the earliest.
You shall send back the goods or hand them over to us or SOPHIA RARE BOOKS, Koebenhavn V, Denmark, without undue delay and in any event not later than 14 days from the day on which you communicate your cancellation from this contract to us. The deadline is met if you send back the goods before the period of 14 days has expired. You will have to bear the direct cost of returning the goods. You are only liable for any diminished value of the goods resulting from the handling other than what is necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and functioning of the goods.
Exceptions to the right of cancellation
The right of cancellation does not apply to:
Model withdrawal form
(complete and return this form only if you wish to withdraw from the contract)
To: (SOPHIA RARE BOOKS, Flaesketorvet 68, 1711, Koebenhavn V, Denmark)
I/We (*) hereby give notice that I/We (*) withdraw from my/our (*) contract of sale of the following goods (*)/for the provision of the following goods (*)/for the provision of the following service (*),
Ordered on (*)/received on (*)
Name of consumer(s)
Address of consumer(s)
Signature of consumer(s) (only if this form is notified on paper)
Date
* Delete as appropriate.
Shipping costs are based on books weighing 2.2 LB, or 1 KG. If your book order is heavy or oversized, we may contact you to let you know extra shipping is required.
| Order quantity | 1 to 5 business days | 1 to 5 business days |
|---|---|---|
| First item | £ 0.00 | £ 0.00 |
Delivery times are set by sellers and vary by carrier and location. Orders passing through Customs may face delays and buyers are responsible for any associated duties or fees. Sellers may contact you regarding additional charges to cover any increased costs to ship your items.