ENIAC

ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer) was the world’s first large-scale digital electronic computer. Many APS Members helped to design this massive machine to solve complex computations related to ballistics. ENIAC began in secret at the University of Pennsylvania’s Moore School of Electrical Engineering during World War II but was not completed until 1946.

One of the many “firsts” associated with ENIAC is the first stored computer program. Written by mathematician John von Neumann, it allowed computer users to avoid repetitive manual entry of formulas and other data. 

ENIAC paved the way for today’s computers, which are increasingly powerful and useful tools.

black typewritten text on white paper with annotations

First Stored Computer Program, John von Neumann, 1945., Inks on paper, APS. Gift of Herman Heine Goldstine.

black typewritten text on beige paper

Letter to Leslie Simon, John von Neumann, 1948, Carbon copy and pencil on paper, APS. Herman Heine Goldstine Papers.

black typewritten text on beige paper

2nd page of Letter to Leslie Simon, John von Neumann, 1948, Carbon copy and pencil on paper, APS. Herman Heine Goldstine Papers.

sepia toned photograph of early computers

Photograph of the ENIAC Computer, U.S. Army, 1945, Photograph, APS. Herman Heine Goldstine Papers.