Name/Title
1950/01- Time, "Mark III, The Thinking Machine"Tags
TimeDescription
The “Mark III” refers to the Harvard Mark III computer, also known as ADEC (Aiken Dahlgren Electronic Calculator). It was an early computer that was partially electronic and partially electromechanical. Developed under the supervision of Howard Aiken at Harvard University, it was used at the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division1.
Here are some key details about the Harvard Mark III:
Release Date: March 19501.
Components: Utilized 5,000 vacuum tubes and 1,500 crystal diodes1.
Weight: Approximately 10 tons1.
Memory: Featured magnetic drum memory of 4,350 words1.
Speed: Could perform addition in 4,400 microseconds and multiplication in 13,200 microseconds, including memory access time.
The Mark III was notable for its speed and was one of the first computers to use magnetic drums for storage, which was a significant advancement at the time. It became operational in 1951 and was known for being operated 24 hours a day, six days a week by October of that year
