Early Computing at the University of Alberta and the Introduction of the LGP-30

Keith Smillie

doi:10.1109/MAHC.2007.3

Annals
2007
Issue No. 1 - January-March
Abstract - Early Computing at the University of Alberta and the Introduction of the LGP-30

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Early Computing at the University of Alberta and the Introduction of the LGP-30

January-March 2007 (vol. 29 no. 1)

pp. 65-73

	ASCII Text	x
	Keith Smillie, "Early Computing at the University of Alberta and the Introduction of the LGP-30," IEEE Annals of the History of Computing, vol. 29, no. 1, pp. 65-73, January-March, 2007.

	BibTex	x
	@article{ 10.1109/MAHC.2007.3, author = {Keith Smillie}, title = {Early Computing at the University of Alberta and the Introduction of the LGP-30}, journal ={IEEE Annals of the History of Computing}, volume = {29}, number = {1}, issn = {1058-6180}, year = {2007}, pages = {65-73}, doi = {http://doi.ieeecomputersociety.org/10.1109/MAHC.2007.3}, publisher = {IEEE Computer Society}, address = {Los Alamitos, CA, USA}, }

	RefWorks Procite/RefMan/Endnote	x
	TY - MGZN JO - IEEE Annals of the History of Computing TI - Early Computing at the University of Alberta and the Introduction of the LGP-30 IS - 1 SN - 1058-6180 SP65 EP73 EPD - 65-73 A1 - Keith Smillie, PY - 2007 KW - LGP-30 KW - mathematical tables KW - desk calculators KW - University of Alberta VL - 29 JA - IEEE Annals of the History of Computing ER -

Keith Smillie, University of Alberta

DOI Bookmark: http://doi.ieeecomputersociety.org/10.1109/MAHC.2007.3

To re-create the University of Alberta's computing milieu of some 40 years ago, this article surveys the University's computational procedures before the arrival of the first computer and discusses the University's acquisition and use of the LGP-30.

1. E.S. Keeping, A Short History of the Mathematics Department, Dept. Mathematics, Univ. of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada, 1971.
2. New Physical Sciences Centre (Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics), brochure published on the occasion of the official opening of the building Univ. of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, 1961.
3. J.F. Kenney and E.S. Keeping, Mathematics of Statistics, Part One, 3rd ed., Van Nostrand 1954.
4. G. Ford, Sons of Martha: University Faculty of Engineering 1913–1988, Faculty of Eng., Univ. of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada, 1988.
5. B. Hocking, On the Meaning of Marks, report, 4 June 1958, Dept. Entomology, Univ. of Alberta, Canada
6. L.P.V. Johnson, An Introduction to Applied Biometrics, Burgess Publishing Co., 1950.
7. M.R. Williams, "UTEC and Ferut: The University of Toronto's Computation Centre," IEEE Annals of the History of Computing, vol. 16, no. 2, 1994, pp. 4–12.
8. "Electronic Brain Aids University Research," The New Trail, vol. xv, no. 1, 1957, p. 3.
9. K. Smillie, "Computation: From Abacus to Silicon Chip," IEEE Annals of the History of Computing, vol. 23, no. 4, 2002, Web Supplement.
10. "Electronic Computer Aids Research," The New Trail, vol. xv, no. 2, 1957, pp. 2–3.
11. Frankel, after completing a PhD in physics in 1942 at the University of California, Berkeley, began his professional career at Los Alamos National Laboratory, where he was one of those overseeing the hand computing group and later the IBM punched-card installation. After the war, he held a number of positions before heading up the Caltech digital computing group. See J. Gleick, "Genius," The Life and Science of Richard Feynman, Vintage Books, 1993.
12. N. Metropolis and E.C. Nelson, "Early Computing at Los Alamos," IEEE Annals of the History of Computing, vol. 4, no. 4, 1982, pp. 348–357, Also see http://www.hp9825.com/htmlstan_frankel.html .
13. S. Frankel, "Useful Applications of a Magnetic-Drum Computer," Electrical Eng., vol. 75, July 1956, pp. 654–659.
14. S.P. Frankel, "The Logical Design of a Simple General-Purpose Computer," IRE Trans. Electronic Computers, March 1957, pp. 5–14.
15. S. Frankel and J. Cass, "LGP-30 General-Purpose Digital Computer," Instruments & Automation, vol. 29, February 1956, pp. 264–270.
16. M. Weik, A Second Survey of Domestic Electronic Digital Computing Systems, Office of Technical Services, US Dept. of Commerce, Washington, D.C., 1957.
17. E.G. Andrews, R.A. William, and H.D. Huskey, "General-Purpose Computers," Computer Handbook, H.D. Huskey, and G.A. Korn eds., McGraw-Hill, 1962, p. 20–1 to 20–34.
18. C.G. Bell, and A. Newell, "Computer Structures," Readings and Examples, McGraw-Hill, 1971.
19. W.S. Adams, "LGP-30 Lectures," unpublished lecture notes, 1960, author's personal collection.
20. J.A. Toogood and D.L. Lynch, "Effect of Cropping Systems and Fertilizers on Mean Weight-Diameter of Aggregates of Breton Plot Soils," Canadian J. Plant Science, vol. 39, 1959, pp. 151–156.
21. F.V. MacHardy, "Application of Mathematical Techniques to the Problems of Agricultural Mechanization of Areas Undergoing Development," Congrès International Technique du Machinisme Agricole, Paris, 1961 , F1, pp. 3–24.
22. D.G. Bellow, "Anticlastic Behaviour of Flat Plates," doctoral dissertation, Dept. Mechanical Eng., Univ. of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada, 1963.

Index Terms:

LGP-30, mathematical tables, desk calculators, University of Alberta

Citation:

Keith Smillie, "Early Computing at the University of Alberta and the Introduction of the LGP-30," IEEE Annals of the History of Computing, vol. 29, no. 1, pp. 65-73, Jan.-March 2007, doi:10.1109/MAHC.2007.3

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