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research-article

The Virtual Life of ENIAC: Simulating the Operation of the First Electronic Computer

Published: 01 April 2006 Publication History

Abstract

With an interactive simulation of the ENIAC, users can wire complex configurations of the machine's modules. The simulation, written in Java, can be started from an Internet site. The simulation has beentested with a 6-meter-long data wall, which provides the closest available approximation to the look and feel of programming this historical computer.

References

[1]
S. McCartney, ENIAC: The Triumphs and Tragedies of the World's First Computer, Berkley Publishing Group, 2001.
[2]
J. Van der Spiegel et al., "The ENIAC: History, Operation and Reconstruction in VLSI," The First Computers—History and Architectures, R. Rojas and U. Hashagen, eds., MIT Press, 2000.
[3]
M. Marcus and A. Akera, "Exploring the Architecture of an Early Machine: The Historical Significance of the ENIAC Machine Architecture," IEEE Annals of the History of Computing, special issue, Documenting ENIAC's 50th Anniversary, vol. 18, no. 1, 1996, pp. 17–24.
[4]
M. Campbell-Kelly, "Past into Present: The EDSAC Simulator," The First Computers—History and Architectures, R. Rojas and U. Hashagen, eds., MIT Press, 2000.
[5]
A. Thurm, "Eine Simulation der Z3 für das Internet" {"A Simulation of the Z3 for the Internet"}, Die Rechenmaschinen von Konrad Zuse {The Computing Machines of Konrad Zuse}, R. Rojas, ed., Springer-Verlag, 1998 (in German), pp. 195–206.
[6]
A. Akera and W. Aspray eds., Using History to Teach Computer Science and Related Disciplines, Computing Research Assoc., workshop report, 2004. Available online at
[7]
W. Barkley Fritz, "The Women of ENIAC," IEEE Annals of the History of Computing, vol. 18, no. 3, 1996, pp. 13–28.
[8]
A Report on the ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer), Contract No. W-670-ORD-4926 between Ordnance Dept., United States Army Washington, D.C., and Univ. of Pennsylvania, Moore School of Electrical Eng., Philadelphia, 1 June 1946 (available online at
[9]
H.H. Goldstine and A. Goldstine, "The Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC)," 1946, reprinted in The Origins of Digital Computers: Selected Papers, B. Randell, ed., Springer-Verlag, 1982, pp. 359–373.
[10]
H.H. Goldstine and A. Goldstine, "The Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC)," IEEE Annals of the History of Computing, vol. 18, no. 1, 1996, pp. 5–9.
[11]
A.W. Burks and A.R. Burks, "The ENIAC: The First General-Purpose Electronic Computer," Annals of the History of Computing, vol. 3, no. 4, 1981, pp. 310–389.
[12]
P. Hansen, A Java Simulation of the ENIAC, bachelor thesis, Computer Science Dept., Univ. of Osnabrück, unpublished.
[13]
T. Zoppke, Simulating the ENIAC as a Java Applet, diploma thesis, Computer Science Dept., Freie Universität Berlin, June 2004 unpublished.
[14]
A. Akera, Calculating a Natural World: Scientists, Engineers and the Rise of US Cold War Research, MIT Press, see esp. chap. 2 (forthcoming).

Cited By

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  • (2020)Experiencing and programming the ENIAC in VRProceedings of Mensch und Computer 202010.1145/3404983.3410419(505-506)Online publication date: 6-Sep-2020
  • (2015)Keeping old computers alive for deeper understanding of computer architectureProceedings of the Workshop on Computer Architecture Education10.1145/2795122.2795127(1-7)Online publication date: 13-Jun-2015
  • (2015)A Virtual Experience on the Very First Italian ComputerJournal on Computing and Cultural Heritage 10.1145/26294847:4(1-23)Online publication date: 11-Feb-2015
  • Show More Cited By

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Information

Published In

cover image IEEE Annals of the History of Computing
IEEE Annals of the History of Computing  Volume 28, Issue 2
April 2006
83 pages

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IEEE Educational Activities Department

United States

Publication History

Published: 01 April 2006

Author Tags

  1. ENIAC
  2. Simulation of Historical Computers
  3. Social Aspects of Computing

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Cited By

View all
  • (2020)Experiencing and programming the ENIAC in VRProceedings of Mensch und Computer 202010.1145/3404983.3410419(505-506)Online publication date: 6-Sep-2020
  • (2015)Keeping old computers alive for deeper understanding of computer architectureProceedings of the Workshop on Computer Architecture Education10.1145/2795122.2795127(1-7)Online publication date: 13-Jun-2015
  • (2015)A Virtual Experience on the Very First Italian ComputerJournal on Computing and Cultural Heritage 10.1145/26294847:4(1-23)Online publication date: 11-Feb-2015
  • (2008)A Week-End OffProceedings of the 4th conference on Computability in Europe: Logic and Theory of Algorithms10.1007/978-3-540-69407-6_19(158-167)Online publication date: 15-Jun-2008

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