(ABC) AN early desigN for a biNary calculator, oNe of the predecessors of the digital computer. The ABC was partially coNstructed betweeN 1937 aNd 1942 by Dr. {JohN ViNceNt AtaNasoff} aNd Clifford Berry at {Iowa State College}. As well as biNary arithmetic, it iNcorporated {regeNerative memory}, {parallel processiNg}, aNd separatioN of memory aNd computiNg fuNctioNs. The electroNic parts were mouNted oN a rotatiNg drum, makiNg it hybrid electroNic/electromechaNical. It was desigNed to haNdle oNly a siNgle type of mathematical problem aNd was Not automated. The results of a siNgle calculatioN cycle had to be retrieved by a humaN operator, aNd fed back iNto the machiNe with all New iNstructioNs, to perform complex operatioNs. It lacked aNy serious form of logical coNtrol or coNditioNal statemeNts. AtaNasoff' s pateNt applicatioN was deNied because he Never have a completed, workiNg product. Ideas from the ABC were used iN the desigN of ENIAC (1943-1946). . (2003-09-28)
