Iowa State President Martin Jischke said Wednesday at a reception in the Scheman building that the unveiling of the Atanasoff-Berry Computer replica in Washington, D.C., was a "home run" for ISU and Ames.
Jischke said rebuilding and demonstrating the ABC "resolves a basic argument in the history of technology. It does work ... and it did." He said he believes the original ABC was functional and it should be recognized as the first computer.
"The ABC embodies all the central ideas of modern super computing," Jischke said. He said the ABC utilizes at least half a dozen significant technological innovations, which makes the ABC "more than it would appear to be."
Jischke said the demonstration on October 8 in Washington, D.C., went well, and the ABC correctly solved the equation "nine divided by six times two equals x." However, Jischke said the demonstrators were "prepared to kick the plug" if the computer did not answer correctly.
The team who rebuilt the ABC deserves a lot of credit, Jischke said. "It's not an easy job," he said. Jischke also recognized the Durham and Atanasoff families, the Ames Economic Development Committee, the Ames Chamber of Commerce and others for their support. "This simply would not have happened without them," Jischke said. He said the $350,000 it cost to build the replica, although seven times the cost of the original, was "not out of line at all."
Richard Roseland, member of the Ames Economic Development Committee, said the replica will dispel the myth the Midwest is weak in technology. "All we ask is that you mention Ames, Iowa, as you travel across the state [with the ABC]," Roseland said.
Jischke, Roseland and Ames Mayor Larry Curtis turned on the ABC to loud applause from the guests at the end of the program.
The ABC will be on display at the Scheman building through Saturday, and will then tour Iowa before returning to ISU.
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