Computers and Commerce: A Study of Technology and Management at Eckert-Mauchly Computer Company, Engineering Research Associates, and Remington Rand, 1946-1957 (History of Computing)

Between 1946 and 1957 computing went from a preliminary, developmental stage to more widespread use accompanied by the beginnings of the digital computer industry. During this crucial decade, spurred by rapid technological advances, the computer enterprise became a major phenomenon. In Computers and Commerce, Arthur Norberg explores the importance of these years in the history of computing by focusing on technical developments and business strategies at two important firms, both established in 1946, Engineering Research Associates (ERA) and Eckert-Mauchly Computer Company (EMCC), from their early activities through their acquisition by Remington Rand.Both ERA and EMCC had their roots in World War II, and in postwar years both firms received major funding from the United States government. Norberg analyzes the interaction between the two companies and the government and examines the impact of this institutional context on technological innovation. He assesses the technical contributions of such key company figures as J. Presper Eckert, John Mauchly, Grace Hopper, and William Norris, analyzing the importance of engineering knowledge in converting theoretical designs into workable machines. Norberg looks at the two firms' operations after 1951 as independent subsidiaries of Remington Rand, and documents the management problems that began after Remington Rand merged with Sperry Gyroscope to form Sperry Rand in 1955. Between 1946 And 1957 Computing Went From A Preliminary, Developmental Stage To More Widespread Use Accompanied By The Beginnings Of The Digital Computer Industry. During This Crucial Decade, Spurred By Rapid Technological Advances, The Computer Enterprise Became A Major Phenomenon. In Computers And Commerce, Arthur Norbert Explores The Importance Of These Years In The History Of Computing By Focusing On Technical Developments And Business Strategies At Two Important Firms, Both Established In 1946, Engineering Research Associates (era) And Eckert-mauchly Computer Company (emcc), From Their Early Activities Through Their Acquisition By Remington Rand. Both Era And Emcc Had Their Roots In World War Ii, And In Postwar Years Both Firms Received Major Funding From The United States Government. Norberg Analyzes The Interaction Between The Two Companies And The Government And Examines The Impact Of This Institutional Context On Technological Innovation. He Looks At The Two Firms' Operations After 1951 As Independent Subsidiaries Of Remington Rand, And Documents The Management Problems That Began After Remington Rand Merged With Sperry Gyroscope To Form Sperry Rand In 1955--jacket. 1. The Founding Of Engineering Research Associates, Incorporated -- 2. Research On The Commercial Frontier Of Computer Machinery : The Eckert-mauchly Computer Corporation -- 3. Research On The Commercial Frontier Of Computing Machinery : Engineering Research Associates, Inc. -- 4. Always A Dollar Short And A Day Late -- 5. Remington Rand Computing : Integrating Emcc And Era Into The Parent Company -- Conclusion : A New View Of Emcc And Era And Their Contributions. Arthur L. Norberg. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [281]-338) And Index. The history of a crucial decade in the early development of digital technology, focusing on both technical and business issues at two key firms. Between 1946 and 1957 computing went from a preliminary, developmental stage to more widespread use accompanied by the beginnings of the digital computer industry. During this crucial decade, spurred by rapid technological advances, the computer enterprise became a major phenomenon. In Computers and Commerce, Arthur Norberg explores the importance of these years in the history of computing by focusing on technical developments and business strategies at two important firms, both established in 1946, Engineering Research Associates (ERA) and Eckert-Mauchly Computer Company (EMCC), from their early activities through their acquisition by Remington Rand. Both ERA and EMCC had their roots in World War II, and in postwar years both firms received major funding from the United States government. Norberg analyzes the interaction between the two companies and the government and examines the impact of this institutional context on technological innovation. He assesses the technical contributions of such key company figures as J. Presper Eckert, John Mauchly, Grace Hopper, and William Norris, analyzing the importance of engineering knowledge in converting theoretical designs into workable machines. Norberg looks at the two firms' operations after 1951 as independent subsidiaries of Remington Rand, and documents the management problems that began after Remington Rand merged with Sperry Gyroscope to form Sperry Rand in 1955. Preface......Page 8 Introduction......Page 12 1 The Founding of Engineering Research Associates, Incorporated......Page 32 2 Research on the Commercial Frontier of Computer Machinery: The Eckert-Mauchly Computer Corporation......Page 84 3 Research on the Commercial Frontier o f Computing Machinery: Engineering Research Associates, Inc.......Page 128 4 Always a Dollar Short and a Day Late......Page 178 5 Remington Rand Computing: Integrating EMCC and ERA into the Parent Company......Page 220 Conclusion: A New View of EMCC and ERA and Their Contributions......Page 278 Notes......Page 292 Sources......Page 340 Index......Page 350