![ECKERT, J. Presper. (1) "Preliminary draft [part 1] (for discussion only)." Carbon typescript of memorandum addressed to W. R. Adam, Dr. L. T. Rader, John Mauchly, and the Sperry Rand legal department. N.p, 3/13/63. 7 sheets. (2) "Preliminary draft [part 1] (for discussion only)." Carbon typescript of memorandum addressed to the people listed in no. (1). N.p, 3/21/63. 6 sheets. (3) "First draft-Part 2." Typescript document with extensive emendations in pencil in Eckert's hand. N.p, 5/7/63. 14 sheets. (4) "Preliminary draft. Part 2 (for discussion only)." Carbon typescript of memorandum addressed to the people listed in no. (1). N.p, 5/17/63. 10 sheets.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2005/NYR/2005_NYR_01484_0250_000(093223).jpg?w=1)
The Origins of Cyberspace collection described as lots 1-255 will first be offered as a single lot, subject to a reserve price. If this price is not reached, the collection will be immediately offered as individual lots as described in the catalogue as lots 1-255.
ECKERT, J. Presper. (1) "Preliminary draft [part 1] (for discussion only)." Carbon typescript of memorandum addressed to W. R. Adam, Dr. L. T. Rader, John Mauchly, and the Sperry Rand legal department. N.p, 3/13/63. 7 sheets. (2) "Preliminary draft [part 1] (for discussion only)." Carbon typescript of memorandum addressed to the people listed in no. (1). N.p, 3/21/63. 6 sheets. (3) "First draft-Part 2." Typescript document with extensive emendations in pencil in Eckert's hand. N.p, 5/7/63. 14 sheets. (4) "Preliminary draft. Part 2 (for discussion only)." Carbon typescript of memorandum addressed to the people listed in no. (1). N.p, 5/17/63. 10 sheets.
Details
ECKERT, J. Presper. (1) "Preliminary draft [part 1] (for discussion only)." Carbon typescript of memorandum addressed to W. R. Adam, Dr. L. T. Rader, John Mauchly, and the Sperry Rand legal department. N.p, 3/13/63. 7 sheets. (2) "Preliminary draft [part 1] (for discussion only)." Carbon typescript of memorandum addressed to the people listed in no. (1). N.p, 3/21/63. 6 sheets. (3) "First draft-Part 2." Typescript document with extensive emendations in pencil in Eckert's hand. N.p, 5/7/63. 14 sheets. (4) "Preliminary draft. Part 2 (for discussion only)." Carbon typescript of memorandum addressed to the people listed in no. (1). N.p, 5/17/63. 10 sheets.
In September and October 1962, Datamation published a condensed version of Burks, Goldstine ,and von Neumann's Preliminary Discussion of the Logical Design of an Electronic Computing Instrument, which had originally appeared in 1946 as a mimeographed report prepared for the Army Ordnance Department at Princeton's Institute for Advanced Study. Although the Datamation editors avoided assigning credit for the stored program concept to any one individual or group, their presentation of the Preliminary Discussion-heralded as "Burks - Goldstine - von Neumann - the conception" on the September issue's front wrapper-strongly implied that credit for the concept lay with the authors of the report. When Eckert saw the Datamation articles, he was so upset that he issued a two-part reply in which he presented his own authoritative account of the origins of the stored-program idea and of several other ideas fundamental to the development of computing.
Eckert's "Preliminary Draft" remained unpublished: he thought it might arouse too much controversy within the profession, even though the document had been cleared by Sperry Rand's legal department. He also felt reluctant to discuss the relevant issues publicly before the ENIAC and UNIVAC patents had issued. This reluctance disappeared after the patents issued. OOC 1283.
In September and October 1962, Datamation published a condensed version of Burks, Goldstine ,and von Neumann's Preliminary Discussion of the Logical Design of an Electronic Computing Instrument, which had originally appeared in 1946 as a mimeographed report prepared for the Army Ordnance Department at Princeton's Institute for Advanced Study. Although the Datamation editors avoided assigning credit for the stored program concept to any one individual or group, their presentation of the Preliminary Discussion-heralded as "Burks - Goldstine - von Neumann - the conception" on the September issue's front wrapper-strongly implied that credit for the concept lay with the authors of the report. When Eckert saw the Datamation articles, he was so upset that he issued a two-part reply in which he presented his own authoritative account of the origins of the stored-program idea and of several other ideas fundamental to the development of computing.
Eckert's "Preliminary Draft" remained unpublished: he thought it might arouse too much controversy within the profession, even though the document had been cleared by Sperry Rand's legal department. He also felt reluctant to discuss the relevant issues publicly before the ENIAC and UNIVAC patents had issued. This reluctance disappeared after the patents issued. OOC 1283.
Further details
For further information about The Origins of Cyberspace Library and to view the reference catalogue, please visit https://www.historyofscience.com.