<a href="http://images.umdl.umich.edu/cgi/i/image/image-idx?rgn1=ic_all;o p2=And;rgn2=ic_all;rgn3=bhl_da;op3=And;med=1;q1=willow%20run;size=20;c=bhl;back=back1185297055;subview=detail;resnum=4;view=entry;lastview=thumbnail;cc=bhl;entryid=x-bl005659;viewid=BL005659" target="_blank"> <img border="2" src="willowrun.png" align="right">></img></a> The University acquired the laboratories at Willow Run from the War Department, which maintained control of some of the facilities. Willow Run became the site for the first innovations in computing at the University of Michigan. <a href="http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/pageviewer-idx?c=umregproc;cc=umregproc;rgn=full%20text;idno=ACW7513.1945.001;didno=ACW7513.1945.001;view=image;seq=00000396" target="_blank">Regents' Proceedings, May Meeting, 1946, pg. 364.</a> John Walsh "Willow Run Laboratories: Separating from the University of Michigan" Science Vol. 177, No. 4049 (August, 1972), 594. Ann Arbor News, August 28, 1953. Engineering Research Institute News, Vol. 4, No. 6 (Dec. 1955). <a href="http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/f/findaid/findaid-idx?c=bhlead;idno=umich-bhl-9551;view=reslist;didno=umich-bhl-9551;subview=standard;focusrgn=frontmatter;cc=bhlead;byte=29053779" target="_blank">Conference presentation, MAD conference, Nov. 15, 1960, Computing Center Records Box 1.</a> The Statistical Research Laboratory was established in the basement of the Rackham Building to "provide consultation and statistical service for teaching and research units of the University...". Statistical analysis and calculation was a primary use of early computing technology. Cecil C. Craig was the first director. At the same time, Rackham also housed the Sorting and Tabulating Station. As computing demand rose, Craig proposed a punch card machine purely for "Educational and Scientific Use." He notes "it is going to be necessary for any first class university not to lag too far behind in making for available for its research workers some of the much more efficient and versatile machines." <a href="http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/pageviewer-idx?c=umregproc;cc=umregproc;rgn=full%20text;idno=ACW7513.1945.001;didno=ACW7513.1945.001;view=image;seq=00000509" target="_blank">Regent's Proceedings, July Meeting, 1946, pg. 473</a> Horace H. Rackham records, Dean's Topical File, Statistical Research Laboratory, 1948, Box 7 Previous to the spread of digital computers, analog computers were primary instruments for data calculation and analysis at the University of Michigan. One of the earliest analog computers was used by the Aeronautical Engineering Department. The computer was called the Electronic Differential Analyzer, and was built at the UM. Blanchard Hiatt, "A Faster Cratchit: The History of Computing at Michigan" Research News, Division of Research Development and Administration, Vol. 27, No. 1 (January 1976), pg. 4. Arthur Burks, professor of Philosophy at the UM since 1946, and consultant for the Burroughs Corporation since 1949, began a research project investigating the logical design computers. Burks' research team, funded by Burroughs, developed designs and proofs for data-processing units. The project was funded until 1954. Blanchard Hiatt, "A Faster Cratchit: The History of Computing at Michigan" Research News, Division of Research Development and Administration, Vol. 27, No. 1 (January 1976), pg. 4. <a href="http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/f/findaid/findaid-idx?c=bhlead;idno=umich-bhl-87180;view=reslist;didno=umich-bhl-87180;subview=standard;focusrgn=frontmatter;cc=bhlead;byte=57750051">"Burroughs Project, 1950-1954" in Logic of Computers Group Records, Box 10.</a> The first digital computer developed at Michigan--the MIchigan Digital Automatic Computer (MIDAC). In 1951, the design for the MIDAC began. The project was under the sponsorship of the Wright Air Development Center, United States Air Force and the Willow Run Research Center of the Engineering Research Institute, University of Michigan. The MIDAC became operational in 1953. MIDAC: A New High-Speed Digital Computer Now at the Service of the National Defense, Science, and Industry, published by Willow Run Research Center Engineering Research Institute University of Michigan UMM-101. Engineering Research Institute News, December 1955, vol VI, no. 6. Conference presentation, MAD conference, November 15, 1960, Computing Center Records, Box 1, Folder Historical Files. The MIDAC became operational in August 1953. The computer was said to occupy two small rooms and required approximately 12 tons of refrigeration equipment to keep its 500,000 connections and tubes cool. The MIDAC was operated by Willow Run's Digital Computation Department under the leadership of John Carr III and remained the property of the Air Force until it was removed in 1958. Wayne DeNeff, "U-M Puts New Electronic Brain Through Its Paces," Ann Arbor News, August 28, 1953. Conference presentation, MAD conference, November 15, 1960, Computing Center Records, Box 1, Folder Historical Files. MAGIC (Michigan Automatic General Integrated Computation) and EASIAC (Easy Instruction Automatic Computer) were automatic programming systems developed for the Michigan Digital Automatic Computer (MIDAC) under the direction of Professor John Carr III. Blanchard Hiatt, "A Faster Cratchit: The History of Computing at Michigan" Research News, Division of Research Development and Administration, Vol. 27, No. 1 (January 1976), pg. 5. The IBM 650 "was the beginning of routine, large scale research and instructional computing at the University. Faculty members and students devised a language to maximize the machineÕs capabilities called GAT (Generalized Algorithmic Translator), which greatly increased the utility of the computer for the university community. The IBM 650 was installed in the Statistical Research Lab. Research News, Division of Research Development and Admin. , Jan. 1976, Vol. 27, No. 1. Through the IBM Educational Contribution Program, IBM donated up to 60% of the monthly payment owed on a computer to the university, contingent on the university's agreeing to offer courses in scientific computation and data processing. <a href="http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/f/findaid/findaid-idx?c=bhlead;idno=umich-bhl-9551;view=reslist;didno=umich-bhl-9551;subview=standard;focusrgn=frontmatter;cc=bhlead;byte=29053779" target="_blank">"IBM Educational Contribution to Colleges and Universities for Data Processing Equipment," in Vendors, IBM 640 1956-1959 Folder, Box 9, Computing Center Records </a> The Logic of Computers Group was established as a research collective of faculty with an interest in the relationship between logical formalisms, computers and natural systems. The group was funded by government research agencies and provided "more than half of the research support in the Department of Computer Science." The Group employed several senior researchers, including Dr. Richard A. Laing. <a href="http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/f/findaid/findaid-idx?c=bhlead;idno=umich-bhl-90185;view=reslist;didno=umich-bhl-90185;subview=standard;focusrgn=frontmatter;cc=bhlead;byte=25021241" target="_blank">Letter from Arthur Burks to Charles Overberger, Vice-President for Research, February 15, 1978 in "Logic of Computers Group, 1962-1978," Arthur Burks Papers, Box 5 </a> <a href="http://images.umdl.umich.edu/cgi/i/image/image-idx?rgn1=ic_all;op2=And;rgn2=ic_all;rgn3=bhl_da;op3=And;c=bhl;med=1;q1=burks;back=back1185297441;size=20;subview=detail;resnum=1;view=entry;lastview=thumbnail;cc=bhl;entryid=x-bl005640;viewid=BL005640" target="_blank"> <img border="2" src="burks.jpg" align="right"></img></a> Before joining the UM faculty in 1946, Burks was one of the principal designers and a joint inventor of the Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC) at the Moore School of Engineering, University of Pennsylvania from 1943 to 1946. Burks came to UM as an assistant professor in the Philosophy Department, eventually becoming full professor in 1954. Among his many activities at the university, he founded the Logic of Computers Group in 1956 and the graduate program in Communication Sciences in 1957. <a href="http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/f/findaid/findaid-idx?c=bhlead;idno=umich-bhl-90185;view=reslist;didno=umich-bhl-90185;subview=standard;focusrgn=frontmatter;cc=bhlead;byte=25021241" target="_blank">"Vita" in "Biographical Materials," Arthur Burks Papers, Box 1. </a> The Communication Sciences graduate degree program was formed within the College of Literature, Science and the Arts. The program had its roots in two research groups: the Phonetics Laboratory in the Dept. of Speech, and the Logic of Computers Group in the Dept. of Philosophy. The objective of the program "was to understand information processing and communication in both natural and engineered systems." Core curriculum offerings included automata theory, information and probability theory, and analog and digital computers. Arthur Burks was an integral player in developing the program, which enrolled three students in its first year. UM was the first to establish an interdisciplinary program in Communication Sciences, and the first program to award a Ph.D. in 1959, to John Holland. The course offerings first appear in the 1958-59 College of Engineering Announcement. Gordon Peterson served as chairman of the program until it became a department in 1965. <a href="http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/f/findaid/findaid-idx?c=bhlead;idno=umich-bhl-90185;view=reslist;didno=umich-bhl-90185;subview=standard;focusrgn=frontmatter;cc=bhlead;byte=25021241" target="_blank"> Arthur Burks, "Computer and Communication Sciences," 1979 in "University of Michigan, Computer and Communication Sciences Dept., History," Arthur Burks Papers, Box 5. </a> <a href="http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/pageviewer-idx?c=umregproc;cc=umregproc;rgn=full%20text;idno=ACW7513.1963.001;didno=ACW7513.1963.001;view=image;seq=00000618" target="_blank">Board of Regents of the University of Michigan Proceedings, November Meeting, 1964, pg. 601</a> Courses initially offered included: EE232 Analog and Digital Computer Technology EE235 Digital Computer Design Principles EE238 Digital Computer Applications <a href="http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/f/findaid/findaid-idx?c=bhlead;idno=umich-bhl-8781;view=reslist;didno=umich-bhl-8781;subview=standard;focusrgn=frontmatter;cc=bhlead;byte=33283750" target="_blank"> College of Engineering Announcement, 1956-57, College of Engineering Collection, Box 2 </a> <a href="http://images.umdl.umich.edu/cgi/i/image/image-idx?rgn1=ic_all;op2=And;rgn2=ic_all;rgn3=bhl_da;op3=And;med=1;q1=computer%20center;size=20;c=bhl;back=back1185297803;subview=detail;resnum=4;view=entry;lastview=thumbnail;cc=bhl;entryid=x-bl005609;viewid=BL005609" target="_blank"> <img border="2" src="computercenter.jpg" align="right"></img></a> The Computing Center was established as a "research and service activity of the Graduate School" and was intended to "provide consultation and computing service for teaching and research units of the University." <a href="http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/pageviewer-idx?c=umregproc;cc=umregproc;rgn=full%20text;idno=ACW7513.1957.001;didno=ACW7513.1957.001;view=image;seq=00000902" target="_blank">Board of Regents of the University of Michigan Proceedings, June Meeting 1959, pg. 880</a> The IBM 704 was the first computer installed at Computing Center. President's Report, 1959-1960. Research News, Division of Research Development and Administration, Vol. 27, No. 1 (Jan. 1976). <a href="http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/f/findaid/findaid-idx?c=bhlead;idno=umich-bhl-9551;view=reslist;didno=umich-bhl-9551;subview=standard;focusrgn=frontmatter;cc=bhlead;byte=29053779" target="_blank"> "Establishing the Computing Center", R.C. Bartels, Computing Center Records, Box 1.</a> Robert Christian Frank Bartels was a professor of Mathematics when he was appointed the first director of the Computing Center. He came to the university in 1938, and was made a full professor in 1957. His research field was numerical analysis, which led him to be involved in many early computing projects, including a study of magnetohydrodynamics at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in 1954. He served as director of the Computing Center for nearly 20 years, retiring in 1978. <a href="http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/pageviewer-idx?c=umregproc;cc=umregproc;rgn=full%20text;idno=ACW7513.1957.001;didno=ACW7513.1957.001;view=image;seq=00000894" target="_blank">Board of Regents of the University of Michigan Proceedings, June Meeting, 1959, pg. 872.</a> <a href="http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/pageviewer-idx?c=umregproc;cc=umregproc;rgn=full%20text;idno=ACW7513.1978.001;didno=ACW7513.1978.001;view=image;seq=00000017" target="_blank">Board of Regents of the University of Michigan Proceedings, July 1978, pg. 15</a> <a href="http://images.umdl.umich.edu/cgi/i/image/image-idx?rgn1=ic_all;op2=And;rgn2=ic_all;rgn3=bhl_da;op3=And;med=1;q1=institute%20for%20science;size=20;c=bhl;back=back1185298049;subview=detail;resnum=2;view=entry;lastview=thumbnail;cc=bhl;entryid=x-bl005510;viewid=BL005510" target="_blank"> <img border="2" src="ist.jpg" align="right"></img></a> The Institute of Science and Technology was founded by the Board of Regents to provide organizational support for researchers in the sciences and engineering. The Regents' goal was to establish a center that would draw on university faculty expertise and that would cooperate with other private and public institutions in the state. Robert R. White served as director until 1960. <a href="http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/pageviewer-idx?c=umregproc;cc=umregproc;rgn=full%20text;idno=ACW7513.1957.001;didno=ACW7513.1957.001;view=image;seq=00001005" target="_blank">Board of Regents of the University of Michigan Proceedings July Meeting, 1959, pg. 979-80.</a> <a href="http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/pageviewer-idx?c=umregproc;cc=umregproc;rgn=full%20text;idno=ACW7513.1960.001;didno=ACW7513.1960.001;view=image;seq=00000092" target="_blank"> Board of Regents of the University of Michigan Proceedings September Meeting, 1960, pg. 90.</a> The Ford Grant supported a project on the "Use of Computers in Engineering Education." R.C.F. Bartels and Bernard A. Galler were members of the Committee responsible for the project. Elementary courses relating to the use of the digital computer were initially taught solely in the Mathematics Deptartment. In 1961-62 the department roll listed 57 teaching fellows plus an additional 11 at the Computing Center. <a href="http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=umsurvey;cc=umsurvey;type=simple;rgn=div2;q1=ford%20foundation;view=text;subview=detail;sort=occur;idno=AAS3302.0006.001;node=AAS3302.0006.001%3A3.18">Encyclopedic Survey, Dept. of Mathematics, p. 185. </a> The University of Michigan Executive System (UMES) was designed to "facilitate the running of a large number of programs rapidly and efficiently." The system was adapted from a system being used by General Motors by GM staff and Professor Bernard Galler. UMES was used until 1968. Computing Center Publications, Box 16, Folder University of Michigan Executive System, January 1960. <a href="http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/pageviewer-idx?c=umregproc;cc=umregproc;rgn=full%20text;idno=ACW7513.1960.001;didno=ACW7513.1960.001;view=image;seq=000 00152"> Board of Regents of the University of Michigan Proceedings, October Meeting, 1960, pg. 150.</a> Research News, Office of Research Administration, Vol 12., No.5 (Nov. 1, 1961). The IBM 7090 "was a transistorized, or solid-state, version of the 709." Research News, Division of Research Development and Administration, Vol. 27, No. 1 (Jan. 1976), p. 9. The ICPR was a partnership between the Institute for Social Research and twenty-one other universities to provide data support for research in the the social sciences. Warren Miller served as the first director. Now called the Inter-university Consortium for Social-Political Research (ICPSR), it provides access to world's largest archive of computer-based and instructional data for the social sciences. Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research records.