po I DIGITAL COMPUTER NEWSLETTER OFFICE OF NAVAL RESEARCH Vol 10 No 1 id otI 40t e s da bontr buto w' •' i • MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES DIVISION Editor Gordon D Goldstein January 1958 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page No COMPUTERS AND DATA PROCESSORS NORTH AMERICA 1 Ballistics Research Laboratories Computing Laboratory Aberdeen Proving Ground Maryland 2 Autonetics RECOMP II Downey California 3 Burroughs Corp Banking Automation Developments Paoli Penna 4 Univ of Chicago MANIAC III Chicago Illinois 5 Datamatic DATAmatic 1000 Newton Highlands Mass 6 Friden Co Inc SELECTADATA San Leandro Calif 7 IBM Corp 705-I11 New York N Y 8 Monroe Calculating Machine Co MONROBOT IX Morris Plains N J 9 National Bureau of Standards SEAC Washington D C 10 U S Naval Air Station Naval Air Test Center Patuxent River Maryland 11 12 13 Philco Corp TRANSAC S-2000 Philadelphia Penna RCA Service Co Inc FLAC I and 3I Patrick Air Force Base Florida Sylvania Electric Products Inc UDOFT and MOBIDIC Waltham Mass COMPUTING CENTERS 1 ARDC Air Force Armament Center Eglin AFB Florida 2 Univ of California Western Data Processing Center Los Angeles Calif 3 California Institute of Technology Computing Center Pasadena Calif 4 U S Naval Air Missile Test Center RAYDAC Point Mugu Calif 5 U S Navy Bureau of Ships Electron Computer Branch Code 280 Washington D C 6 U S Navy Electronics Laboratory Computer Center San Diego Calif 7 U S Naval Proving Ground Naval Ordnance Computation Center Dahlgren Virginia D 1 _• • COMPUTERS OVERSEAS Eidg Technische Hochschule ERMETH Zurich Switzerland 2 Univ of Manchester Computing Machine Laboratory Manchester England 3 Der Technischen Hochschule MAILUFTERL Vienna Austria 4 Weizmann Institute of Science WEIZAC Rehovoth Israel 7 7 7 8 10 10 10 11 11 12 12 13 14 14 15 COMPONENTS N Bell Telephone Laboratories Handwritten Character Reader New York 2 3 N Y Benson-Lehner Corp Rollafold West Los Angeles Calif Telemeter Magnetics Inc New Storage Units and Data Translators Los Angeles Calif MISCELLANEOUS -Computer Usage Co Inc New York N Y Contributions for the Digital Computer Newsletter ' •Approved '1 0 ALI 1 I 2 3 3 4 5 5 6 tThe 16 17 18 19 19 by Under Secretary of the Navy 20 August 1957 BEST AVAILABLE COPY NAVEXOS P-645 COMPUTERS AND DATA PROCESSORS NORTH AMERICA COMPUTING LABORATORY - BALLISTIC RESEARCH LABORATORIES ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND MARYLAND - EDVAC A Floating Point Arithmetic Unit has recently been added to the EDVAC System The unit operates with the four-address code of the EDVAC thus making it compatible with fixed point instructions The first ten bits of the floating point number word are used to express the exponent of 2 and its sign The next 33 bits of the EDVAC 44 bit word are used to express the fractional part of the number The resulting range for the fractional part is from - 1-2-33 to 1-2-33 The exponential part ranges from 2 511 to 2-512 The unit will execute addition subtraction multiplication and division commands At the completion of all operations the unit will normalize the results i e make the fractional part of the number always have the most significant bit The unit has error detection equipment for the following conditions 1 Overflow which occurs when the number exceeds 10157 2 Divisor is 0 which occurs when an attempt is made to divide a number by zero 3 Number not normalized except absolute zero Although the unit will operate on some numbers which are not normalized it is felt that it is important to know that an operand is not normalized since some accuracy might be lost in the problem The unit will halt the EDVAC when an unnormalized number is detected The average time required for operations are Addition and Subtraction Multiplication Division 1956 Microseconds 1100 o 2300 The design was accomplished by using plug in units with regeneration at every amplification stage The units are similar to those used on the SEAC and MIDAC Systems Operating experience to the present time has proved the unit to be a very reliable piece of equipment RECOMP II - AUTONETICS - DOWNEY CALIFORNIA Autonetics A Division of North American Aviation Inc has placed on the commercial market an all-transistor portable general purpose digital computer designated Recomp I The basic features of the military version Digital Computer Newsletter April 1957 have been retained However new and important changes have been incorporated The computer is serial single address internally binary has 18 arithematic instructions 21 logical and transfer instructions and 9 i nput output instructions Fixed and floating point instructions are buiilt in The magnetic disk memory capacity is 4096 words Each word can contain 2 instructions or 40 binary bits including sign Average access time to main memory is 8 7 milliseconds and to the high speed loops 91 milliseconds Operation times excluding access time are 52 milliseconds for add-subtract 10 4 milliseconds for multiply-divide and 0 78 milliseconds for transfer control Input to the computer is provided by the control panel electric typewriter or a photo-clectric tape reader whose speed is 400 characters per second T•e output can be in the form of a visual decimal display on the control panel or typewritten copy of teletype paper tape The cost of the basic computer is $70 500 -1I- f tA NKIN i AWIVOtMAT'ION INhVEi1 0t11NIV NI N 11111iItfMl IN M101 t - PIAOL1 PEINNA TIho Nllk Ni1 1gi'n1'n toliftionoi iltlv Amvivi'gha Ilttilk 'g Anagoivtiol 114 ' 1I'il'0 it hills ofm Io II 1111 1 %ilk I'oh iha g lor ritivoigri ioll lis 1110 co1111mlo 11aich it l imiuliagu m ost MuitIll 411' 01110t 111111411111 i Ihliai ist 111wintpiglm lin Arasti'i ''h1 tttgvisir hIiInhim tik dilPtsIst thei ttis eIN41%itN obItitsan riton loinvoitikiolu i aplpust lcl tyole I'Iit i ing lit maloth hill antd muit litilo i whitill h riiisi olitiv ill I'hlail teri' scoiit s slyisitoli 11114lispt''loov to m ' strnt'l it'l 1XII 1V in ail lit til hi'st tle 11i1114 il'e tilt advilttutausos ofbth quilV111911tN of psttturIII yO1te1 uuooU till oqu iiipot'tlu uuiitOl and prii'ittt Iiletie'vidoid 1111lonix Mori'ovs' i tho ABiA Cimi that Net' it thu bilttioti of poilja' 011h0'iswill 0 alp al it 11111A ill o tois rm lirltied lit msaguwtiit' Ink whic'h will Ooitttrvilit'slly It'll thit ihttkooitut'gi andi proof dtptit I'i O Ilt fthtutu r how tit lint sort plotsit ttd the rwhoo autit forIlit' ito nom huciI11g11I0P1 tationi for'Ii l41 1 ithi 1 at vs lit v'low tit tho ollovo tanikiitg AutttIttit onI i01Irtt ou ou 'N tttitlt tt pt IAROlet tut 0ii rai'vlt riuty ttof qsitivillnt Thll riyftonit lit luots' Ihit Todd hl tgipiChok Itprinittvr-CO urt lth donaitniat it Protof And D istribut ion tiachiine tho Ito troughs Mqagni-Chs'k Amiount Imnpriuiiu r tilts i'lurraugtts Maitnil-Chok 'ri'i'lttiop Dtttttttioti Sorlor tilt Nonsit ronit 1Bank liookkooping Ilachinos thll Auto Header andi tho 111stit rialato I A1A'VION SVO Computur system li Tito Tkxl tMagni- Chok Imprintur llit'parus dpolsoit ac countt ila1110 tdia ill t'okiflltol lanlamige Ink ready for varying degroes tof sulaitquent ahutomat ic pi'ot'o5iing It otilblon tho imprinting right on thlt bank premilses of Nuch tdatimt ivsacount namesm and numbeitrs ARBA transit and routing numbers transaction etodes antd check muriali numbers An advantatio of the MagniChuk Imprintilr- Codar is that nut only van it intrioiut with coinvegtionAl ink but It uaus posaistsoe exclusive features which unable easy transit ion ito thlt mtagnutic ink coding concepts Sonsimatic Prtof and Distribution nwohinte lis eomprised of a Mauter Unit A 27-pocket Sorting-iiNndorsing Unit anid a 27-tape Listing Unit with provisions for thia attachment of a common language document inscribing unit for future iututonuti ' processing routines There are facilities for by-product magnetic amount post-printing A Sulective Operation Control Panel makes possible almost unlimited prvogrammting It provides automatic control by classification if proving sortinug endo rsing and float accu mulat ion lImprovad accur acy tin the proof operation is afforded by simplifiled and enforced error correction procedurda including direct subtraction front the cross-looter and all registers Enforced sorting assurew that all documents arrive at their destinatiton and positive sorting protection assureN accuracy of sorting Should an item fail to roach tho designuted pocket the machine locks The Magni-Chok Amount Printer Is destignee to print in common language I the amount of the item processed Thto listing facility provides input for amiounit printing and list and grand totals for proof purposes The prototype of title device prints with atConventional inked ribbon however the production models will be adapted to magnetic Ink printing The Magni-Chuck Document Sorter achieves automatic high-speed sorting of documents into desired sequences Utilized with other automation devices the Sorter furnishes read sort Input for a fully automated systemt The first prototypes were based onl fluorescent code and are being modified to magnetic ink common-language epec ifications The Senaltronic Bank Bookkeeping Machine is of special Interest to the banking profesb it for It is the only device geared to verify the posting and printing of every item checks and deposits 'to the correct account This printer and bookkeeping machine in a rapid true single posting run eliminates the duplication of effort which traditionally has been necessary for attaining true veirification assuring each Itemi being posted to the correct account The Sensiironic is available with either single Or dual printing sections It functions electronically to perform the following operations Alignment of formis at the proper printing position correct pickups af old balances and verification of postings to the correct account In a single posting run the Sensitronic processes and completes an original-print combination statement-andledger-with analysis data It utilizes an advanced magnetic stripe technique to store the account number item count account balance with sign line selection alert notice and code checking information This data Is swiftly and electronically accessible -2- Tho Auto Readvr invotult'inglimilvi wIt h ono or mioro So nsit rogles olootronioally procosom codod arvotints for t ri 1 twilimtneog mtd lvi huu'e transform The Auito Header automatically foods fornms and roads balancesoeloci ronivully f rom imagnotic setripet codod fornis And transmits datA o thle thinsit rolille or' hat in outpu it Antd tralsterfI toIlow ulOW toit ontti TIho 1 AT'A'TRON 230 Ione ral hiraapono ComIpu t'r asystonii for banking applications will use its Input ani automiatically prviipared punchod paper tap ropresent ing previously processed t't tod data Il'il data will lie in tho fornm of random Accounts compared Anad updated by the a'ollputea' with otanding Account tapes in seiquenced ordeir Fully proctissed output includes updntotd liavinvis tiape roportables Itetim printed Journal lodgers and account analysis fornms Printed statements may lio ronde red in ilia fomtiaaa o daily or mionthly statonments or abbrovtatod forrantitv mnlits MANIAC Ill UNIVERSITSJY 0OF CHIICAGO CHI01CAGO ILLINOIS '1The University of Chicago has expanded its permanent research fAcilities with tho organiTho Instituate became Active at the beginning of the autunin toraui this YURI% ltationao titIit nstituto for C'omputua' Reseatrch Dr NIcholas Metropolis who formerly led thu computer' research activities At the Los Alamosm Scienti fic Laboratory with MANIAC I and MANIAC 12 has been appointed director of tho Institute Mr Walter Orvvdahl also formerly of the Los Alanmos Scientific Laboratory is chief enineetir Mr John MteGiveran of the University of Chicago has joined the Institute an an ami UI l tift vilginver a Tho Institute has be gun the construction of a digital computer which will be derived from the MANIAC typos anod which will probaibly be culled MANIAC IID DATrAMATIC 1000 - DATAMATIC - NEWTON HIGHLANDS MASSACHUSETTS Firs Iiistallation Tho first DATAmatic 1000 large scale general purpose electronic data processing system has beon delivered to Michigan Hospital Service Detroit Michigan thle nation's sec'ond largest Blue Cross -Blue Shield service It will be used tu maintain the subs 'riber records for 3-1 2 million Michigan residents keeping them up to date on a daily basis Ditily file Activity averagos 25 000 transactions including new subscribers premium receipts hospital entrance requests and a host of vecord changes such as name or address new dependents d iffe rent covo rage and others Trhe system will update thle - -ter record file incorporating the entire 25 000 transactions in less than two hours of processing per day Following thle processing run high speed DATAwatic output equipment is used to print a wide variety of fornms and reports This high prffovossing speed allows ample time during single shift operation to handle various other applications such as billing statistical compilation and payroll plus affording considerable capacity for growth In addition to this first Installation a number of systems have been ordered and will be installed in various locations in 1958 including Boston Baltimore Minneapolis Los Angeles Detroit and Parkersburg West Virginia Geueral Dcscripticin if DATAmatic 10100 Thle DATAmatic 1 000 is a product of DATAmatic aDiv is Ion of Minneapois Ioewl Ridiior Company Thle Division was originally formed by Honeywvell and Raytheon Manufacturing Company to build and market the DATAmatic 1000 successor to RAYCOM an early business daita processing system Honeywell subsequently acquir'ed full ownership A geacral purpose system the DATAmatic 1000 incorporates many new features and techniques specifically tailored to large volume business applications One of the most inlportant of these is the use of three-inch-wide magnetic tape containing 31 parallel recording chiannels inforniation is recorded and read horizontally along all 31 channels -3- simlUltaneously In altornaite blocks of fixed letgth Inter-record blocks are used for starting and stopping am the tape moves from onte end to the other However wher the end of tape has been reached it automatically roversoe and data Is recorded in the blocI•s previously used for starting and stopping This provides maximum utilization oe tape ca'jacity and eliminates rewinding since a tape that has been compla oly traversed ends up back at the starting point High operational speeds and capacities are utilized through an extensive and flexible set of instructions Several of these were deslgnod specificully for faster more efficient sorting and file maintenance Moreover those instructions may be automatically assembled into complete programm by the DATAmnatic 1000 Automatic Business Compiler ABC-I Model 1400 High Speed Output System The Model 1400 High Speed Output System includes a specacitTrin-Er--r-'•llnl•n'j a-iht-eO00 lines per minute as used with the 1000 this printer will print up to 120 characters over a range of 160 possible print positions per line Many forms for example can be printed side by side effectively doubling the number of documents that can be printed in a given time period SELECTADATA - FRIDEN CO INC - SAN LEANDRO CALIF The boundaries for the use of punched tape have been expanded by the development of the Friden Selectadata The equipment can be descril'b-d as providing simple facilities which enable new kinds of data processing to be performed in periphe - areas where documents and data originate The Selectadata is a completely self contained machine which includes a selective tape reader and in certain models a Manual Data Selector is also provided The tape reader has the ability to skip through portions of a specially prepared punched tape at high speed until a pre-Belected address code is read Codes following this address code are then read at normal speed to control operation of the Flexowriter The Manual Data Selector although included as an integral part of certain models is actually a functionally independent feature Its primary purpose is to supply semi-variable data to the Flexowriter and includes ten manually operated controls each having eleven different control positions plus an off position The various control positions select binary codes associated with the ten numeral characters plus the space code In response to an automatic control from either the Flexowriter reader or the Selectadata reader the ten codes selected by the manual controls are transmitted in proper order to automatically control operation of the Flexowriter The Selector can be used to automatically insert a limited amount of numeric information both fast and accurately A common example of such use is the automatic insertion of dates in document writing on the Flexowriter The tape reader operates with eight-channel punched tape where the normal character and function codes are exactly the same as in tapes used in the Flexowriter reader The only special requirement in tapes is the insertion of address or classification codes at the beginning of each item or blockof information plus a single switching code inserted at the end of all items Address or classification codes differ from normal character codes by always including a code hole in the eighth channel This provides 127 different address codes Master tapes can be prepared on the Flexowriter where special provisions are made for punching address codes or by-product tapes can be produced during production operation of a Programatic Flexowriter where address or classification codes are automatically inserted by non-print operation from a program tape or edge punched cards The Selectadata is provided with seven manual switches which can be operated in various combinations to select any one of the 127 different address codes In reading the tape all information preceded by other than the selected address code will be skipped at high speed In certain models provisions are made for either selecting address codes by the manual switches or for selecting the same Lddress codes automatically from the Flexowriter reader Provisions have been made for two somewhat different types of operation by a duplex control switch arranged to determine which one of the two functions is to be performed upon -4- reading the switch code at the end of a selected item When this duplex control switch is ft its operated position the switch code causes the reader to stop and transfers control to the Flexowriter reader However when the duplex control switch is in its normal position the switch code retains control in the Selectadata reader and automatically initiates a high spec search operation for the next item preceded by the same address code This control switcl can then be used to provide either a single item searching operation with duplex control of Flexowriter or can provide repeat searching operation for all items having the same addre codes thus enabling a new typo of sorting and listing to be accomplished The automatic searching capabilities can be used in other ways for special applicationm For example compound searching is possibie whereupon a stop code would be read so that second search for a sub-classification would be manually initiated These same subclassification codes could be repeated within each of the different main classifications Thi may in certain instances provide an automatic look-up system where a master tape can be used containing information which can have either a logical or illogical relation to two or more variables which are represented by the major and sub-classification codes The Selectadata will eventually be used with many types of Friden IDP machines but it will first be available for use with various new models of the Flexowriter Older models of the Flexowriter do not contain the necessary control features for use with the Selectadata but new models being currently announced include provisions for cable connection to any one of various models of the Selectadata 705-Ill - INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORP - NEW YOPX N Y The Data Processing Division of International Business Machines Corporation has announced the 705-Mn system which will have greatly increased capabilities over the 705-I series One of the features of the new system is a completely transistorized magnetic tape unit the IBM 729 Model III Listed below are some comparative specifications with the earlier Model I 729-I 729-M Tape Density 200 534 Char per lineal inch Data Transfer Rate 15 000 60 000 Char per second Read-Write Speed 75 112-1 2 Inches per second The system also utilizes the new 767 Data Synchronizer which controls magnetic tape input and output so that the 705-Ill can read compute and write simultaneously A single Data Synchronizer forms one transmission channel for a maximum of 10 tape units and up t 6 synchronizers may be attached for simultaneous and independent operation A 40 000 character magnetic core storage is provided as a basic 705-rn memory and this can be enlarged to 80 0C0 MONROBOT IX - MONROE CALCULATING MACHINE CO MORRIS PLAINS NEW JERSEY The MONROBOT IX is the first low priced desk size all electronic business computer This office computer is designed to handle both the simple and the complex billing operations encountered in large and small companies However its flexible control-program unit will permit its use for many other general accounting functions The command structure is unusually flexible for a machine of its price range approximately $11 000 It offers 15 separate operations including all basic arithmetic operations -5 - The machine operates under control of line programs selected by the operator A line program determines format control print-out of alphanumeric data automatic spacing tabulating carriage return and line feed and decimal point The input output device is a standard IBM electric typewriter All necessary operating controls are included on the input output unit Any format may be followed and also the typewriter may be used independently The system has a total of approximately 50 vacuum tubes 1000 diodes and requires 750 watts of power Automatic Features Calculation with any fraction or fractions without reference to decimal equivalents Printout of repetitive alphabetic and numeric detail Printout of daily totals accumulated from invoice details Decimal point alignment of printout Consecutive numbering and dating Tabulation Roundoff Constant percentage calculations such as sales tax discount etc Calculation of group or chain discounts without reference to decimal equivalents Specifications Arithmetic Operations Addition Subtraction Multiplication Division Commands Halt Input Input multiply Print Store Transfer Divide Add Subtract Shift right Shift left Space Tab Carriage return line feed Decimal point Storage Magnetic drum with 14 registers each register 62 binary bits in length 18 decimal digits Registers may be subdivided to provide a greater number of smaller ones Example Could be programmed to furnish 42 six digit registers Program Capacity 8 programs with 52 instructions per program via plugboard 6 instructions per program can be modified by depression of a program selection key Programmed Alphabetic Output Automatic print out of any fixed repetitive letters symbols words or sentences Multiplier must be introduced via keyboard Quotient is outputted and must be re-entered for further manipulation SEAC - NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS - WASHINGTON D C SEAC Experiments in Pattern Recognition A scanning system SADIE SEAC Automatic Digital Input lye has been added to SEAC as a research facility for use in character and pattern recognition experiments This equipment combines automatic scanning input the processing power of a general purpose digital computer and an output display making it possible for SEAC to accept automatically under program control an image from a photograph into its memory and to reproduce a copy of that image either as it was read in or as it has been modified by subsequent processing Computer programs include various experiments in performing logical operations on pictorial and graphic information for such purposes as coutting and recognition of key objects in a photograph drawing or map simulation of automatic character recognition devices and the automatic encoding of graphic information -6 - Recent Modifications SEAC's preparation to handle data searching pictorial rt c and real time system simulation in conjunction with the laboratory's analog equipment sitated a number of modifications in its internal units and additions in peripheral hardware In input output equipment SEAC has added 1 Flexowriter 1 high-speed punch 1 Potter perforated tape reader 8 Ampex magnetic tape units 1 picture scanner SADIE SEAC's Automatic Digital Input Eye 1 input serializer with 352 possible inputs and 1 output staticizer which scans a preselected portion of the mercury memory continuously Considerable speed gain is accomplished in the 8 multi-channel Ampex units by the feature of individual positioning control concurrent with computation a 6 channel buffer and recording data blocks in variable sizes Other modifications include an expansion of the memory to 2048 words and installation of two new orders a SHIFT and an EQUALITY order NAVAL AIR TEST CENTER - U S NAVAL AIR STATION PATUXENT RIVER MARYLAND The capabilities of the Electronic Computer Unit of the Naval Air Test Center NATC have been increased by the installation in October of an automatic Floating Point Control Unit and a second Datareader for use with the Datatron Computer Following are the operating statistics for the Datatron installation at the NATC for the three month period ending 31 October 1957 Analysis of Computer Time August October September Hours % Production Code Checking Idle Down Time 147 3 41 4 3 2 2 9 89 3 25 1 1 9 1 8 Total 194 8 118 1 Hours % Hours 72 4 38 2 5 3 34 1 48 3 25 5 3 5 22 7 202 2 23 9 1 0 8 5 117 2 13 9 0 6 4 9 150 0 100 0 235 6 136 6 The first hour of each work day is utilized for preventive maintenance The remainder of the work day 7-1 2 hours is used as the basis for the computation of the operating statistics Percentages in excess of 100 arise when the computer is used for production or code checking after the regular work day Idle time includes time lost during the basic 7-1 2 hour day due to power failure or air conditioning malfunction The large amount of down time during September occurred during the installation of the Floating Point Control Unit TRANSAC S-2000 - PHILCO CORP - PHILADELPHIA PENN The Philco TRANSAC Newsletter November 1957 lists revised specification and information on their S-2000 computing system Copies of the newsletter may be obtained from the Government and Industrial Division 4700 Wissahickon Avenue Philadelphia Pennsylvania FLAC I AND II - RCA SERVICE COMPANY INC - PATRICK AIR FORCE BABE FLORIDA FLAC I Operating record for the period 22 August to 20 November 1957 -7 - Category No of Hours Percent of Manned Hrs 954 0 273 3 7 3 20 3 34 7 1 4 189 3 110 2 60 0 17 18 46 1 27 2 18 08 11 90 6 93 1590 5 100 00 Data Running Code Checking Analysis Library Maintenance Power Failure Idle Time Preventative Maintenance Unscheduled Maintenance Total Manned Hours for Period FLAC I continues to be scheduled 24 hours each day for five days each week processing missile test data FLAC II The Central Computer console power supplies memory and a part of the programmed input output equipment have been installed for FLAC II Do-bugging and engineering evaluation has been in progress since approximately 15 October 1957 On 5 November 1957 the first production data was reduced on the computer One 8 hour shift per day is now available for data processing Engineering evaluations and the addition of various peripheral equipments will continue for the next several months With the advent of FLAC U there now exists at the Air Force Missile Test Center identical and duplicate computing facilities for data processing UDOFT AND MOBIDIC - SYLVANIA ELECTRIC PRODUCTS INC - WALTHAM MASS The UDOFT computer now being developed by Sylvania for the U S Naval Training Device Center in a special purpose high speed digital computer designed to accomplish the real time control of operational aircraft flight trainers The original systems logical design and preliminary circuit design of the computer system were done by the staff of the Moore School of Electrical Engineering University of Pennsylvania under contract with the U S Navy In the flight trainer application the computer will replace most of the operational control functions currently being accomplished with analog computers The digital computer is well suited for this application because of its inherent flexibility in the simulation of the flight characteristics of different types of aircraft This can be done by changing the equations of flight requiring only a change in the computer program The characteristics that make the UDOFT computer satisfactory for this specific control problem also make it suitable for other applications of realtime control Inherently it is a large scale general purpose computer but under the present program only special input output equipment is provided The computer is a parallel-sequential single address binary synchronous digital computer Numbers are represented in the computer by 22 binary digits-20 digits representirg abso ute magnitude one digit for the sign and one digit for the parity check Instructions are represented by 20 binary digits-12 digits representing the operand addess seven digits for the order type including one spare digit and one digit for the parity check The master clock has a frequency of 1 2 megacycles and includes five phases The circuitry is of the dynamic type SNAC DYSEAC with low level diode gating pulses are of 5 volts magnitude A unique feature of the UDOFT is the parallel-sequential mode of operation In this mode the number memory operates in parallel but the information is presented to the arithmetic unit sequentially That is the arithmetic unit is parallel with each stage delayed one phase from the preciting one In this way the arithmetic operation times are made independent of generated carry digits Another special feature is the incorporation of two independent random access magnetic core memories The use of two memories one exclusively for instructions and one exclusively for numbers permits the use of an extremely fast instruction cycle since the instruction' - L -A- 8- memory can be used to decode an instruction at the same time that the number memory presents the operand from the preceding instruction Thus each instruction requires only one access to each memory The capacity of each memory is 4090 words and each has a readwrite time of 5 microseconds The computer input system except for the initial memory loading by a card reader consists mainly of analog inputs from controls located in the trainer The analog mnuts are converted to digital form at the point of generation by code wheel converters There are also discrete inputs from toggle switches in the trainer and at the instructor'a conuole The computer output system is almost the inverse of the input system The analog outputs are converted in a digital to analog converter and are multiplexed out to locations specified by the computer These outputs operate the trainer instruments The discrete outputs are used to light indicators located in the trainer and at the console 1 Arithmetic Operation Times including memory access time Add Subtract Multiply Divide 5 microseconds 5 10 105 2 Number of Instructions 27 MOBIDIC is a high speed mobile digital computer being developed for the U S Army Signal Engineering Laboratories It is intended for field use by the Army and its design is characterized by a high degree of flexibility allowing it to be adapted to many classes of data processing and computational problems The major characteristics are Mode of Operation Fixed point parallel internally binary single address synchronous Word Length 37 bits plus I parity bit Arithmetic Representation Sign plus magnitude Memory Size 4096 words expandable to 28 672 words in units of 4096 words Memory Access Time 8 microseconds for complete read-write cycle Order Repertoire Eleven arithmetic orders Eight transfer orders Twenty une logical orders Nine input-output orders Operating Speed including memory access Addition Subtraction Multiplication Division 16 microseconds 16 86 88 Input-Output Speed Input-output is simultaneous with computation and proceeds at the rate of the input-output device no interruption of computation occurt unless both require simultaneous memory access then computation is delayed Ly one memory cycle Internal Addressable Registers 10 expandable to 32 - 9- Index Registers 4 expandable to 7 Input-Output Devices Up to 64 input-output dovices magnetic tape units paper tape units line printers typewriter@ card handling units etc with up to 8 operating simultaneously Also capable o1 accepting and delivering full computer words at a rate up to 125 000 words per second The first computer will be installed in a 26-foot standard Army van which will include air ccaxditioning equipment for the comfort of the operators Transistors are used throughout Delivery will be in 1959 COMPUTING CENTERS AIR FORCE ARMAMENT CENTER - ARDC - EGLIN AFB FLORIDA Acceptance tests have been completed on the newly installed Charactron-Manual Intervention System for the Univac Scientific 1103 and the equipment is being incorporated in the Digital Flight Test Instrumentation and Data Reduction System for B58 Fire Control Evaluation Magnetic tape recordings of digitized data are being played directly into the Univac Scientific Computer and such final answers as hit probabilities are the output Graphical output and program monitor and control are the functions of the Charactron-Manual Intervention equipment The Teledata System of leased wire communications between Eglin Air Force Base Florida Kirtan-d Air Force Base New Mexico and the Ballistic Test Facility Pasadena California has been accepted and is now in use A data processing center called TELEMAG for the handling of analog and digital magnetic tape and telemetered data has been initiated First construction and installation will take place in January 1958 TELEMAG will through existing equipment and an EPSCO Datrac analog-digital converter have direct connections with the Univac Scientific 1103 Computer Editing quick look facilities and anaiog recording will be featured and the system will accommodate FM PDM and PAM telemetry WESTERN DATA PROCESOJING CENTER - UNIV OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES CALIF The University of California and IBM announced Jointly recently that the machine to be furnished to the Western Data Processing Center will be a type 709 instead of a type 705 as previously announced Digital Computer Newsletter July 1957 COMPUTING CENTER - CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY PASADENA CALIF - The California Institute of Technology recently reorganized and expanded its machine computing activities with the conversion of its analysis laboratory It has just moved into a new building housing these facilities which include a Datatron with floating point arithmetic and two tape units a large Direct Analogy Electric Analog Computer developed by the Institute a Librascope LGP-30 and an IBM 705 - 10 - I'll ctlvtti s of the Computing Center comprise three geoneral areas 1 asic research in applied mathematics and computer development 2 Student training through a core of basic courses and student romoarch and 3 rrovision for a service facility for all campus research Curront research in the field of numerical analysis includes a study of random numbers used in digital computation flutter analysis by digital computers solution of polynomial equations and three-dimensional Fourier synthesis for such applications as crystal structure analysis in physlcal chemistry Research in machine design and evaluation includes such subjects as micro-prugramming in the design of medium saied computers research in externally programmed computers application of computers to supersonic and transonic flutter anal ts of delta and low aspect ratio wings application of digital and analog computers to nuclear i %ctordesign and other engineering problems involving diffusion equations A number of important additions have been made to the technical staff of the Computing Center whose principal members now include Dr G D McCann Dr C H Wilts Dr Joel Franklin Dr Robert Nathan Mr C V Ray and Mr Kendrick Hebert RAYDAC - U S NAVAL AIR MISSILE TEST CENTER POINT MUGU CALIF - New input equipment is now being used with RAYDAC Programs and constants are read directly from paper tape at 200 characters per second IBM cards are used for data input and for corrections to programs at rates up to 240 cards per minute Telemetry data is processed from digital storage tape at rates up to 1 000 samples per second A high-speed output system is expected to be in operation by 30 April 1958 This system will use un IBM 407 tabulator IBM 523 card punch and a Talley digital plotter for either on line or off line output operations ELECTRON COMPUTER BRANCH CODE 280 - BUREAU OF SHIPS WASHINGTON D C o Applied Mathematics Laboratorg DTMB The most significant probletus solved on the UNIVAC systems at the Applied Mathematics Laboratory David Taylor Model Basin in the first half of the calendar year are 1 Development of routines for the generation of contour maps of neutron fluxes both for the automatic point plotter and the line printer 2 Calculation of the stresses moments and displacements of a quarter-torus seal used in one design of pressurized water reactors 3 Calculations relating to the analysis and prediction of submarine motion 4 Reduction of tactical data acquired on full-scale ship trials 5 Calculations relating to the formulation of design specificatU ns for a pair of contrarotating propellers such as are used on torpedoes and certain submarines 6 Numerical evaluation of a two-dimensional integral involving six parameters relating to the accurate location of a mine whose approximate position was previously known 7 Calculation and automatic point plotting of a set of charts based on azimuthal equidistant projection to be used in the solution of problems relating to the propagation of radio waves over long distances 8 Simultaneous solution of a pair of first-order differential equations occurring in a theoretical analysis of the pressure buildup In a vented magazine containing a burnig propellant The results were used in the design of storage magazines for rocket motors - 11 - Significant eng neeina modifications were made in the Unityper Model I at the Labnratory to enable it to beused as a pa-per tape to magnetic tape converter This modification involved the design installation and testing of converbion circuitry necessary to make the input from a punched paper tape reader acceptable to the Unityper in place of its keyboard signals LAW Several changes have been made In the LARC system as now on order by the Bureau of Ships for use at David Taylor Model Basin The system now consists of the following components 30 000 words high speed memory One computer unit One input output processor Alphameric high speed on line printer Four tape read write synchronizere Two drum read synchronizers One drum write synchronizer 12 drums 16 UNIBERVO U 72 A B registers Flexowriter and paper tape input output unit One operating console One engineering console In view of the high speed and large memory capabilities of the LARC system the concept of programming the LARC is still under study Whether all the changes as enumerated above will provide the best balance in machine capabilities will not be known until some years after the computer is installed and operating Certainly the concepts in computer programming as utilized in present day machines will have to be radically changed Automatic programming is being developed as an aid to rapid solution of large problems COMPUTER CENTER - NAVY ELECTRONICS LABORATORY SAN DIEGO CALIFORNIA Improvements in the physical organization of existing computers and the installation of a Datatron 205 were both accomplished at NEL during October 1957 The center now occupies the entire top deck of wing 1 building 33 - some 3 400 square feet of air conditioned floor space exclusive of programmer offices The center now includes the EASE a 30 channel general purpose analog the REAC a 40 channel 8 servo general purpose analog the MADDIDA an 80 channel digital differential a Wlyzer a TELEREADER TELECORDEX and OSCAR for digitl•iztion and automatic data plotting as well as the DATATRON with its peripheral equipment for card paper tape and magnetic tape input and output tabulating and collating To supplement the work of the assigned programmers a series of programming courses have been held to instruct scientific personnel in open shop use of the computers In operation two weeks the installation has already analyzed data for underwater sound studies for atmospheric signal propagation and obtained results in probability detection problems NAVAL ORDNANCE COMPUTATION CENTER - U S NAVAL PROVING GROUND - DAHLGREN VIRGINIA The 16 000 character-per-second cathode Lay tube printer which is being developed by the Stromberg- Carlson Corporation for c line use with the Naval Ordnance Research Calculator NORC io now scheduled for deiivery in January and is expected to be operating by April 1958 Features of the printer include alphanumeric characters elaborate editing under program control and point-plotting in rectangular coordinates Of the two 35mm cameras which record the characters one contains equipment for processing and projecting the film within 8 seconds after exposure Auxiliary apparatus for making paper prints is also being installed - 12 - A Naval Proving Ground Technical Memorandum No K-10 57 has been published giving a preliminary descr4pton of the Uitlversal Data Transcriber UDT a stored program device being designed to make possible rapid off line communication between NORC and various Input and output devices as well as other computers Sei Interested organizations and activities with defense contracts are o tC computin time Is expected to be available In 1958 at a cost of loss Sm than $200 per hour Programming mathematical research and analysis and consulting services are also available at cost FPtrther Information may be obtained from Director Computation and Exterior Ballistics Laboratory U S Naval Proving Ground Dahlgren Virginia COMPUTERS OVERSEAS ER1ETH - EIDG TECHNISCIE HOCHSCHULE ZUICH SWITZERLAND At the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology the electronic computer ERMETH is now in operation under the direction of Professor E Stiefel The computer has floating decimal arithmetic 3 decimals for the exponent 11 decimals for the mantissa but can compute as well with fixed point arithmetic 14 decimal digits The storage is a 10 000 word magnetic drum with 6000 rpm but only 4400 storage positions are In operation at the present time Input and output goes via keyboard electric typewriter and punch card equipment As special features we have 9 Index registers B-line for the simplification of address-modification and the Q-sign which Is a mark to label the last number of a sequence of numbers and allows to avoid counting operations in certain induction loops Moreover the computation of elementary functions like 4R ex In x sin x cos x arctg x is carried out upon a simple shift of control unconditional call to fixed programs Programming for the ERMETH is very simple and can be done by beginners infact a large proportion of the total computing time is used by outsiders who do their own programming At present the following library programs are available LR-Transformation Gauss Elimination Development into Tschebyscheff series Gill's method to integrate Differential Equations Quotient- Difference- Algorithm For more details see 1 Mitteilungen aus dem Institut fur angewandte Mathematik 'Die mathematischen Grundlagen fur die Organisation der elektronischen Rechenmaschine der Eidg Techn Hochachule by J R Stock Blrkhauser Verlag Basel 1956 2 Scientia Electrica Die elektronischen und magnetischen Schaltungen der ERMETH by A Schai FABAG - Fachschriftenverlag und Buchdruckerei Stauffacherquai Zurich 1957 - 13- COMPUTING MACHINE LABORATORY - UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER MANCHESTER ENGLAND - Unateady Flow Past a Circular gylinder by Professor R B Payne To investigate the cross fow round a yawed projectile travelling at high speed through the air Helmholtz's vortwity equation has been integrated for the incompressible flow in two dimensions This parabolic partial integro-differential equation with three independent variables is solved by the method previously developed by the author For the starting flow an interesting variation in the drag is encountered the drag coefficient subsiding to the known value for the steady flow A Multi-track Magnetostatic Head by Professor D B G Edwards An unconventional magnetic tape reading head capable of reading digital information from either stationary or moving magnetic tape is being used as the basis of several convenient auxiliary computer equipments at Manchester University One of these equipments is a Computer Output System which records computer output on magnetic tape at any rate up to a maximum of 1000 characters per second A character corresponds to a line of 5 or 6 binary digits written in parallel tracks across the tape The information may be recorded over a wide range of tape speeds including zero but is laid down on the tape at the uniform density of 100 binary digits per linear inch The informatioui is read and checked character by character as it is recorded Erroneous information is appropriately marked and re-recorded until correct The system utilizes 8 reading heads arranged in a block of 8 tracks across standard 1 2inch magnetic tape In each track and separated by 005 from the associated read head is the write head The reading head operates on the principal of reluctance modulation The reluctance of the head itself is varied at a definite rate causing a variation in the flux linkage between the head and the magnetic tape The resultant changes in flux produce a read signal which provides a measure of the leakage flux from the tape and its polarity This signal is present even if the tape is stationary This type of head detects any type of magnetic field including a d c field and hence it has been made minute in order to intercept as little stray field as possible The resultant head can be used without screening under laboratory conditions since it has a signal to earths field ratio of about 15 1 Immediately after information is recorded by the write heads of the block it passes under the associated read head No further information is recorded on the tape until a read signal occurs The spacing of the information is thus dependent only on the separation between the read and write heads and is independent of tape speed A Tape Editing Equipment using a block of reading heads is used to convert the information from the output tape to the printed page This equipment operates with the tape moving at speeds slow enough for direct printing by mechanical teleprinters There is of course no loss of read signal Other equipments envisaged are a Magnetic Tape Input Equipment and a Magnetic Tape Preparation Equipment MAILUFTERL - DER TECHNISCHEN HOCHSCHULE VIENNA AUSTRIA - MAILUFTERL is the Transistorized Digital Computer of the Institut fuer Niederfrequenztechnik University of Technology Vienna Austria The model is being developed at the Institute for purposes of the Institute's research The material is a gift from Austrian and foreign industrial companies Approximately 3000 low frequency transistors Philips OC71 and OC76 and 5000 germanium diodes are the switching and amplifying components no tubes or relays are used - 14 - MANLUFTERL is a fixed point serial decimal machine using the Stibita-cods Floating point can be programmed Logical operations on alpha-numerical data can be performed Organiation The word length is 48 bits or 10 decimal digits plus one sign digit and one operational digit Negative numbers are represented by the true complement The single address system is used Instruction word 4 cecimal digits for address 2 decimal digits for index 16 functional bits one decimal digit for conditions and one operational digit The free combination of the 16 functional ligits 216 possibilities provides maximum flexibility in programming The oporational digit distinguishvs between numbers ind instructions and between marked and unmarked words it also detects one bit errors in the memory Control Unit A Stibitz-adder makes automatic address modifications index operations address substitutions or both A register stores the return instruction during subroutines Arithmetic Unit It includes 3 registers one normal accumulator one accumulator for special purposes and one storage register all with operational checking flip-flops Multiplication and division are done by subroutines on the drum 5 logical operations are binary change from Stibitz-zero to 0000 Memo•y 1 Magnetic drum 7 diameter bronze cylinder of 16 length 3000 r p m AGFA coat 200 tracks of 50 words each addresses numbered from 0000 to 9999 2 Immediate access core-matrix for 50 words corresponding to one track addresses numbered from 0050 to 0099 extension to 9999 possible distinction between drum and other addresses by a functional bit addresses 0000 to 0049 give access to registers etc and to input and output devices Input Output 1 Tape readers and teletype writers 2 Manual switch input for two words optical display for one word any address can be read out or written in manually Speed Basic frequency 132 kc s pulse duration 4 microseconds Word duration 0 4 milliseconds Instruction reading and executing 0 6 milliseconds Multiplication program 2 ten digit numbers 26 milliseconds DC power consumption 400 watts Time scale Development of circuits started in Spring 1956 Construction started May 1957 Construction will be finished in December 1957 MAILUFTERL' is a friendly Viennese spring-time wind The name indicates the distance from whirl-winds and typhoons WEIZAC - 7HE WEIZMANN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE PRIC VOTH ISRAEL - WEIZAC the computer at the %Vizrrjhkm Institute has completed its second year of operation For the first year the niemory was a home made drum during the second year the ferrite-core memory manufactured by Telemeter Magnetics Inc of Los Angeles was in operation allowing the high-speed of the arithmetic organ to be fully utilized Measured operation times for major orders are as follows Addition or Subtraction Multiplication Division Store these times include memory access 50 microsecs 750 850 25 - 15 - average Computation time was allocated to the various users one week in advance additional shifts being added by request A summary of hours of operation is given below A Teletype high speed paper punch was put in operation in October 1956 and has been working since A magnetic tape system has been developed for intermediate speed high capacity storage which is now undergoing its final tests Month Code Checking Production Total Computation Time Hrs Mins Hr Mine Idle Time Hrs Min Scheduled Engineering and Development Unscheduled Breakdowns Hrs Mina Hrs Minn Hrs Mins 72 42 30 51 - 123 30 - - 50 - 34 25 Nov 40 15 103 55 46 - 52 20 37 - 124 - 45 38 50 33 - Jan 57 Feb March April May June July Aug 52 44 50 68 20 30 30 76 30 132 224 45 356 25 265 45 112 124 191 144 211 328 439 346 20 05 30 30 30 30 25 45 8 7 35 8 6 8 4 5 6 10 15 Dec 61 87 60 79 141 45 30 35 25 10 15 45 15 50 65 54 53 45 38 57 50 40 50 15 40 10 10 40 45 05 30 12 34 23 4 12 6 26 14 224 - 307 - 6 55 48 10 32 30 1760 - 2257 107 45 607 45 286 45 Oct 56 Sept 79 103 83 81 - 35 - 30 45 - 83 797 - - 20 15 15 55 45 COMPONENTS HANDWRITTEN CHARACTER READER - BELL TELEPHONE LABORATORIES - NEW YORK N Y Bell Telephone Laboratories has announced a device that can read handwritten numerals or identify numerals as they are being written With some modifications the equipment could be used to read handwritten letters The machine may eventually become a valuable addition to telephone offices and it could be important in any situation where it is necessary to write and identify large quantities of numerals The machine recognizes numbers as they are being written on a specially-prepared writing surface using a metal stylus Two dots one above the other are used as reference points Seven sensitized lines extend radially from these two dots Numerals are recognized by the machine depending on which lines are crossed To recognize previously written numerals such as those on a long distance ticket it is necessary to write with a pencil containing a conductive lead The ticket is then inserted in the machine into a special slot under a plate that has seven sensitized lines The machine then uses the same principle for recognizing numerals already written as it does for the ones written on the machine with the stylus That is it determines which sensitized lines have been crossed This information could be transferred to an accounting machine computer or other data processing device In order that written numerals may be read with a minimum possibility of error mild restrictions must be placed on th6ir size and form The constraints consist of two verticallyaligned dot around which the numerals must be formed Three radius vectors extend out from each of these dots and a seventh joins the two Numerals are then sensed by determining which of these radius vectors are crossed - 16 - Information as to which vectors have been crossed is transmitted to a trp nulator whice contains transistorized logic circuits Since each numeral has a corresponding set of crossings which is unique the translator needs only to be able to distinguish each of the sets in order to produce a different output for each numeral The outputs are employed In the utilization circuit to illuminate a number operate a teletypewriter feed the information to a computer or perform any other desired operation To recognize written numerals a specially-prepared plate is employed on which each radius vector appears as a closely-spaced insulated parallel set of conductors The numerals must be written with a conductive pencil on a sheet of paper or a card When this writing is superimposed on the printed plate and properly oriented the appropriate sets of conductors are shorted out The information thus obtained is fed to and analyzed by the translator and logic circuit which determines the proper number and transmits the identification to the utilization circuit To recogn ze numerals as they are being written a writing surface is provided on which the 'e are two guide dots and in which seven radius vectors made of conducting material are embedded in plastic The writing is done with a metal stylus on the writing surface Whenever a conductor is crossed the information is fed to the translator and logic circuit As necessary crossings are made for a particular numeral the translator again sends the proper information to the utilization circuit To clear the system for the start of the next numeral a conducting plate is touched by the stylus The technique has been extended to permit the identification of handwritten letters To properly read such letters it appears that a four-dot constraining system •vith 12 radius vectors is necessary However Lo identify letters as they are being written is somewhat simpler since advantage can be taken of the order in which the radius vectors are crossed By utilizing this additional information it is possible to identify either letters or numbers as they are written by employing the 2-dot constraining system used for numerals ROLLAFOLD - BENSON-LEHNER CORP - WEST LOS ANGELES CALIF TLe Rollafold is a portable folding machine for producing neat accordion folds in a long strip or roll of paper such as the chart from an oscillograph or pen and ink recorder Some of the advantages which result from folding long rolls of paper into an accordion fold are 1 They are more easily handled for analysis Unrolling and re-rolling are eliminated Any part of the record is readily available for examination-as easy as opening a book 2 They may be stored in conventional folders and file cabinets Thus they may be kept with other information concerning the test 3 They may be bound into reports and transferred or mailed in conventional envelopes An operator can fold charts five to ten times faster with a Rollafold than by hand Neatness and accuracy of fold spacing are far superior Operation is simple and requires no special training The body of the machine is supported by four legs and a tubular frame in a manner which provides space for the folded chart to accumulate All moving parts are enclosed and the construction is of the highest quality Sintered bronze and sealed anti-friction bearings are used throughout All gears and drive arms are pinned to their shafts to preclude the possibility of slippage The feed roller is surfaced with neoprene and ground to size It may be readily removed if cleaning becomes necessary The machine is quiet in operation and Is designed for many years of daily usage - 17 - Overall Size 18 in w x 20 in 1 x 21 in h Net Weight Fold Spacing Fold Rate Power Required Chart Size Model B 45 pounds approximately Continuously adjustable-6 5 to 12 5 inches One fold per second approximately 115 vac 60 cps 1 7 amp maximum Up to 13-1 2 inches wide Any core diameter Up to 6 inches outside dF' meter Larger chart size available on special orders $1 275 00 Model Variations Price Model B NEW STORAGE UNITS AND DATA TRANSLATORS TELEMETER MAGNETICS INC - LOS ANGELES CALIF 144 Series Magnetic Core Storage Units These units have capacity for 144 characters The 144 BQ-8 stores 8-bit characters and the 144 BQ-4 stores 4-bit characters Both units are identical in all other respects The bits of each character are loaded in parallel Characters are loaded and unloaded in a sequential pattern - i e the first character loaded is the first one unloaded and loading and unloading are performed in a nonsynchronous manner The two operations may be interlaced in any order desired and there is no time delay in changing from loading to unloading Characters may be loaded or unloaded at any rate up to one complete character every 14 microseconds The 144 series use transistors and other solid state elements exclusively - no vacuum tubes are required - giving these units a very low down time factor Control and logic circuitry are mounted on plug in etched boards for ease of maintenance All driving circuitry and a complete power supply are contained with the unit in a single package no larger than a portable phonograph Input pulse requirements are 5 volts - 5 volts 10 volts 10 volts One Ze ro Load Sync Unload Sync Output pulses available One Zero 5 volts - 5 volts THE DATA TRANSLATOR Common Language is a concept of which so much has been said and so little has been done However Telemeter Magnetics Inc has done something to provide compatibility among computer systems of the various manufactures The Data Translator System has been evolved for this purpose and can accomplish the following conversions IBM 704 IBM 705 4 IBM 650 o Datatron 205 -A Univac Scientific Univac I I o Univac File Computer P IBM 650 IBM 705 Univac I II Special Input output conversions such as Magnetic tape to printer punched card to magnetic tape manpwtic tape to punched paper tape punched card to paper tape The Data Translator System uses magnetic core storage and is completely transistorized providing very low down time equipment Logic Is contained on etched board plug-ins for ease of maintemmce - 18- MISCELLANEOUS COMPUTER USAGE COMPANY INC - NEW YORK N Y The Computer Usage Company 18 East 41st Street New York 17 N Y entered its third fiscal year of operation 1 October As of December CUC had in process or completed major business and scientific assignments for 26 different companies throughout the United States Business aplications developed and in operation include inventory control linear programm ingie maintenance and scheduling Scientific and technical cervices are offered in the general areas of engineering and applied phynics The organization provides personnel for analysis programming and testing at selected comput ig facilities Work has been rwccessfully completed on such widely varying assignments as nuclear reactor design oil reservoir exploitation heat transfer orbits of an artificial satellite and highway design Two major reactor design codes have been developed CURE a generalized two-spacedimension multigroup coding for the IBM 704 Sponsored by the AEC through KAPL CURE has been released and is currently in use by more than twelve reactor design organizations BORE a two-dimensional evaluation of neutron diffusion equations and heat balance equations in a boiling reactor developed for the Atomic Power Equipment Department of the General Electric Company Unit merchandising control on the IBM 650 was developed for Hartfield Stores Inc a chain of more than forty women's apparel shops This system completed 20 months of continuous successful operation on 1 January 1958 Present staff numbers 45 full time employees with experience In the IBM Types 701 702 704 705 650 MAC and NORC UNIVAC Systems DATATRON and BIZMAC Since application development rather than repetitive processing of data is the primary function of CUC it does not operate its own machine facility Instead programs are developed for the machine most suitable to the client CONTRIBUTIrNS FOR DIGITAL COMPUTER NEWSLETTER The Office of Naval Research welcomes contributions to the NEWSLETTER Your contributions will assist in improving the contents of this newsletter and in making it an even better medium of exchange of information between government laboratories academic institutions and industry It is hoped that the readers will participate to an even greater extent than in the past in transmitting technical material and suggestions to this Office for future issues Because of limited time and personnel it is often impossible for the editor to acknowledge individually all material which has been sent to this Office for publication The NEWSLETTER in published four times a year on the first of January April July and October and material should be in the hands of the editor at least one month before the publication date in order to be included in that issue The NEWSLETTER is circulated to all Interested military and government agencies and the contractors of the Federal Government In addition it is being reprinted in the Communications of the Association for Computing Machinery Communications should be addressed to GORDON D GOLDSTEIN Editor Digital Computer Newsletter Information Systems Branch Office of Naval Research Washington 25 D C - 1900145172