Special Collections Department
403 Parks Library
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011-2140

RS 13/20/51
John Vincent Atanasoff (1903-1995)
Papers, 1925-2011

Descriptive summary

creator:	Atanasoff, John Vincent (1903-1995)
title:	Papers
dates:	1925-2011
extent:	29.26 linear ft. (55 document boxes, 1 records center carton, 2 oversized boxes, 3 photograph boxes, and 2 map case folders)
collection number:	RS 13/20/51
repository:	University Archives, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University.

Administrative information

access:	Open for research
publication rights:	Consult Head, Special Collections Department
preferred citation:	John Vincent Atanasoff Papers, RS 13/20/51, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University Library.

Biographical note

John Vincent Atanasoff was born in 1903 in New York State. His father was a Bulgarian immigrant named Ivan (John) Atanasov and his mother was Iva Lucena Purdy, a mathematics schoolteacher. The couple had nine children and resided in Brewster, Florida, during John Vincent's childhood. As a young child, Atanasoff was very interested in mathematical principles and studied calculus at the age of 9. He completed high school in two years and in 1921, he entered the University of Florida in Gainesville. He graduated from the University of Florida with a B.S. (1925) in electrical engineering and accepted a teaching position from Iowa State College.

Atanasoff received his masters degree (1926) in mathematics from Iowa State College, and a few days later, he married Lura Meeks. They had three children: Elsie, Joanne and John II. He completed his doctoral thesis, "The Dielectric Constant of Helium," at the University of Wisconsin and received his Ph.D. in theoretical physics in 1930. In the fall of 1930 he became a member of the Iowa State College faculty as assistant professor in mathematics and physics. Atanasoff began developing a computation method for solving complicated math problems in a faster, more efficient way. He was promoted to associate professor (1936) of both mathematics and physics.

Atanasoff continued to struggle with the development of a faster computation system and in 1937 developed basic concepts for his computing machine. After receiving a grant of $650 from Iowa State College in March 1939, Atanasoff hired an electrical engineering student, Clifford E. Berry, to assist him. From 1939 until 1941 they worked at developing and improving the ABC, Atanasoff-Berry Computer, as it was later named. When World War II started on 7 December 1941, the work on the computer came to a halt. Although Iowa State College had hired a Chicago patent lawyer, Richard R. Trexler, the patenting of the ABC was never completed.

In September of 1942 Atanasoff left for a defense-related position at the Naval Ordnance Laboratory in Washington, D.C. and became Chief of the Acoustics Division. By 1948 the Atanasoff-Berry Computer had been removed from the Physics Building and dismantled. Neither Atanasoff nor Clifford Berry were ever notified that the computer was going to be destroyed.

In 1949 Atanasoff and his wife Lura were divorced. Lura moved with the children to Denver, Colorado. In the same year, John Atanasoff married Alice Crosby.

In 1949 he became chief scientist for the Army Field Forces and he then returned to Washington as director (1950-1951) of the Navy Fuse Program at the Naval Ordnance Laboratory. In 1952 he established The Ordnance Engineering Corporation, a research and engineering company in Rockville, Maryland, with his friend and former student, David Beecher. The company was sold to Aerojet General Corporation in 1957, and he became Manager of its Atlantic Division from 1957-1959 and Vice President from 1959-1961. In 1961 he retired.

Although the ABC was never patented, it was part of major court case in the 1960s and 1970s. In Honeywell v. Sperry Rand, Sperry Rand was attempting to establish the validity of patent rights they had purchased from J. Presper Eckert and John W. Mauchly. These rights included the Electronic Numerical Integrator (ENIAC) which Eckert and Mauchly had patented in 1964. Honeywell, Inc. was trying to establish that Mauchly had obtained important concepts used in the ENIAC from examination of a device known as the Atanasoff-Berry Computer, during a visit to Iowa State in June, 1941. In his decision (1973), the judge agreed that the concepts used in developing ENIAC were based on Atanasoff's work with the ABC.

Atanasoff received numerous awards and honors including: the U.S. Navy Distinguished Service Award (1945); Order of Cyril and Methodius (1970);Iowa Inventors Hall of Fame (1974); Governor's Science Medal (1985);Holley Medal, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (1985) and the Coors American Ingenuity Award (1986) and the National Medal of Technology (1990).

After a long illness, Atanasoff died of a stroke on 15 June 1995 at his home in Maryland.

Collection description

Series I, Biographical records (1930-2011), contains biographical sketches and personnel records, newspaper and printed clippings, photographs and scanned image printouts, certificates, oral history interviews with Atanasoff; material from Clark Mollenhoff's book, "Atanasoff : Forgotten Father of the Computer" (1988), and other published material concerning Atanasoff, awards information, correspondence relating to computer exhibitions and the 1990 trip to Bulgaria, 2 audiotapes, and a film script.

Series 2, Correspondence (1929-1993), contains a wide variety of professional correspondence from colleagues, friends, and students from throughout Atanasoff's career. Correspondents include George Gross, Sam Legvold, Max Munk, Bob Vaile, Jay Woodrow, and Iowa State College (later University). Several folders of 1993 celebratory birthday cards received from Maryland elementary school children are also in this series.

Atanasoff was involved with the Aerojet Corporation in the late 1950s, and their records are contained in Series 3, Business records (1956-1961). Included are memorandum and correspondence concerning company proposals. The proposals include the development of automation systems, bacteriological weapons, and a satellite program.

Series 4, Invention records (1930-1981), contains records relating to Atanasoff's inventions, beginning prior to World War II and extending through to the 1970s. The files contain notes, information, and drawings relating to the following inventions: an electrical clock (1936); cathode-ray tub and low-frequency detection device (World War II-era); electronic chassis (late 1940s); and several inventions relating to his home in Maryland, including the house itself, a hog house, a dryer for vegetables, and a seeder.

Atanasoff's research notes and published materials relating to his career are in Series 5, Research and publications (1926-1986, n.d.). There are reprint articles, notes for speeches, translations, Iowa State College exam questions and coursework, quantum mechanics notes, portions of a book on underwater acoustics and sound, Naval Ordnance Laboratory project reports, and drafts of "The Advent of Electronic Digital Computing," published in the Annals of the History of Computing in 1983.

A large component of the Atanasoff papers is Series 6, Legal records (1925-1980, n.d.), which contains depositions, transcripts of proceedings, testimony, correspondence, black and white photographs, published materials, original notes and drawings, and a finding of fact for the case of Honeywell, Inc. v. Sperry-Rand. The materials relate to the development of the ABC Computer, and depositions from Atanasoff, John Mauchly, and patent lawyer, Richard Trexler, and a full-length interview with Atanasoff are included. The correspondents include Cliff Berry, Sam Legvold, Richard Trexler, and Iowa State College (University).

Series 7, Language study records (1965-1980), contains published materials, notes, and correspondence, related to Atanasoff's experimentation and study of the creation of a new alphabet. Atanasoff firmly believed that a digital alphabet should be developed as the current alphabet was too difficult for children to learn.

Series 8, Printed materials (1927-2003), consists of a varying amount of printed material, relating to Atanasoff's research interest. Included are reprint articles and theses of former students and other researchers, and articles and clippings relating to the history of computing.

Organization

The collection is organized into eight series:

Series 1, Biographical Records, 1930-2011, n.d. (listed alphabetically)
Series 2, Correspondence, 1929-1993, n.d. (listed alphabetically)
Series 3, Business Records, 1956-1961 (listed alphabetically)
Series 4, Invention Records, 1930-1981, n.d. (listed alphabetically)
Series 5, Research and Publications, 1926-1986, n.d. (listed alphabetically)
Series 6, Legal Records, 1925-1980, n.d. (listed chronologically)
Series 7, Language Study, 1965-1980, n.d. (listed alphabetically)
Series 8, Printed Materials, 1927-2003, n.d. (listed alphabetically)

Description of series

Series 1	Biographical records	1925-2011, n.d.
extent:	64 folders
description:	This series contains biographical sketches and personnel records, newspaper and printed clippings, photographs and scanned image printouts, certificates, oral history interviews with Atanasoff, material from Clark Mollenhoff's book, "Atanasoff: Forgotten Father of the Computer" (1988) and other published material concerning Atanasoff, awards information, correspondence relating to computer exhibitions and the 1990 trip to Bulgaria, 2 audiotapes, and a film script.

Container list

Box	Folder	Title	Dates
41	11	Addresses, awards, remarks	1974
41	12	Addresses, awards, remarks	1980
41	13	Addresses, awards, remarks	1981
54	24	Ahmehu: Bulgarian Newspaper	1974-1985
20	11	Allen McIntosh—article in IEEE	1984-1986
20	12	Allen McIntosh—article in IEEE	1986-1989
58	19	Allen, Edward	1945-1985
Map	case	Appointment to the Great Navy of Nebraska	1984
50	1	Articles about Atanasoff by George Hamlin published in the Naval Surface Weapons Center newsletter, On the Surface	1984-1990
50		Award: The National Medal of Technology	1990
55	6	Awards & Recognition	1953-1994
21	1	Awards and press clippings	1986-1990
58	1	Awards, birth certificate, photos	1984-1985
54	18	Ballad to John Atanasoff	1990
58	18	Berry, Jean	1981-1986
49	7	Bibliography and list of patents by Atanasoff compiled by George Hamlin, Naval publication writer and biographer	2006
41	3	Biographical material	1974
41	4	Biographical material	1974
41	5	Biographical material	1981
41	6	Biographical material	1983-1984
41	7	Biographical material	1989-1999
41	8	Biographical material (2 audio cassette tapes: All Things Considered)	1986-1995
41	2	Biographical materials	1950-1976, n.d.
41	1	Biographical materials	n.d.
12	1	Biographical sketch	n.d.
4	13	Biographical sketches	n.d.
55	4	Biography	N.D.
58	8	Broad, Williams: New York Times	1983
41	22	Bulgaria trip	1970
22	7	Bulgarian documentary correspondence	1989-1990
56	1	Burks, Alice	1982-1983
56	3-4	Burks, Arthur: Annals of Computer History	1981
7	1	Centennial Award (University of Florida)	1953
14	14	Certificate of appreciation	1993
56	2	Charles Babbage Institute: newsletters	1981-1988
36	17	Clipping	1985
46	3	Clippings	1942-1983, n.d.
46	2	Clippings	1984
46	1	Clippings	1985-1992
22	6	Computer exhibit clippings and correspondence	1990
54	17	Computing Reviews	1990
58	15	Computing Reviews: Origins of Modern Computing	1989
20	2	Correspondence with oral history interviewer, William Turner	1987-1991
56	5	Council for Unified Research & Education	1980-1984
58	9	Cowan, Ken: Commex	1980-1984
Map case		Democrat Chronicle article featuring John Atanasoff in photograph	1960
56	6	Digital Equipment Corporation: Lecture outlines	1980
57		Doctorate of Science Diploma	1981
58	3	Documentary	1979-1983
58	23	DPF Incorporated	1977-1980
49	4	"Dr. Atanasoff's Computer" by Allan R. Mackintosh	1988
57	1	Drawings – oversized box	N.D.
58	22	Educom	1984-1985
55	5	Educom: Computer Conference	1984-1988
58	17	Educon: Speeches on Computers	1984
21	7	Field notes (notebook)	1968
42	8	Film: "From One John Vincent Atanasoff" Notes and initial treatment	1969-1979
42	7	Film: "From One John Vincent Atanasoff" Script	1981-1983
42	6	Film: "From One John Vincent Atanasoff" Script	1983
58	4	First Annual Colorado business Awards	1986
56	8	Forbush, Scott & Julie	1980-1984
58	20	Gardner, David	1982
54	15	Gardner, David	1992
21	13	Handwritten guidelines for using computer	1989
Map case		High school diploma	1920
34	8	Honorary degree, Western Maryland College	1982-1984
58	11	Hood College	1984
20	6	"How the Computer Revolution Started Fifty Years Ago," by William Turner	1988
49	5	Iowa Award: program	1999
54	20	Iowa Governor's Medal	1985
Map case		Iowa State College Master of Science Degree	1926
58	10	Iowa State University: Atanasoff Celebration	1988
55	11	Iowa State University: Movie Script about Atanasoff	1983
54	14	Iowa State University: newsletters & correspondence	1990-1991
58	12	Israel	1986-1987
55	1	John's 90th birthday	1994
58	5	Johnson, Dick: Article for Educon	1984
58	24	Kovacs: Budapest	1987
55	3	Lecture: Beginning of Digital Electronic Computing	N.D.
20	10	List of patents (incomplete)	n.d.
41	14	List of publications	1936-1942, n.d.
21	10	Listing of data documents	1983-1986
21	9	Listing of data documents	1986-1988
21	12	Lists and calculator manuals	1985, n.d.
Map case		Maryland House of Representatives resolution	n.d.
Map case		Maryland State government: photographs upon declaring the resolution	1989
54	16	Medal of Technology	1989-1990
6	5	Membership certificate	1948
8	8	Memberships, notes, personnel information, house information, correspondence	1930-1941
21	4	Mollenhoff ballad and memorial card	1988, n.d.
20	9	Mollenhoff book, Chapters 11-15	ca. 1988
20	7	Mollenhoff book, Chapters 1-5	ca. 1988
21	5	Mollenhoff book, Chapters 16-20	ca. 1988
20	8	Mollenhoff book, Chapters 6-10	ca. 1988
22	11	Mollenhoff correspondence and information	1986-1990
22	10	Mollenhoff release	n.d.
58	21	Moravian College	1980-1982
56	9	Moravian College: Atanasoff receiving Doctorate of Science	1981
58	13	Morice, Dave: Computer Comics	1984
Map case		Mount St. Mary's College Doctor of Humane Letters	ca. 1990
58	7	National Medal of Technology	1990
54	19	National Medal of Technology	1990-1991
55	7	Newspaper & Articles: Atanasoff named "Inventor of First Digital Computer"	1969-1987
55	8-10	Newspaper Articles	1981-1999
58	6	Newspaper Articles and Correspondence	1974-1990
55	2	Newspaper Articles: John's death	1995
20	5	Notes and reminiscences on Naval Ordnance Lab for oral history	1987
54	22	Omaha: Acknowledged for 81st birthday and 45th anniversary of computer	1984
20	3	Oral history transcript	1987
20	4	Oral history transcript	1988
54	23	Personal Notes	1964-1974
5	17	Personnel contract	1950
4	12	Personnel files and notes	1949-1952, n.d.
5	18	Personnel forms	1948-1951
5	19	Personnel records	1949-1950
Map case		Phi Kappa Phi, University of Florida Class of 1925	1925
41	21	Photographs, 1940s-1950s (photocopies)	n.d.
Map case		Pi Mu Epsilon certificate of membership	1923
Map case		Poster: "The people behind computers: A brief history (2 copies and negative transparency)	n.d.
Map case		Poster: John Vincent Atanasoff lecture for the Digital Equipment Corporation: "The ABC Machine: Atanasoff-Berry Computer"	1980
21	3	Presidential Medal	1990
4	8	Publicity clippings	1960-1961
4	10	Publicity clippings	1960-1961
55	12	Queries on JVA Computer History	1968-1979
21	6	Reference chronology	n.d.
Map case		Russian poster	1983
12	4	Scanned images (JVA), biographical sketches, birthday correspondence (elementary school)	ca. 1993
15	2	Scanned images of JVA (color)	1993
38-39		See Series 5, Research and Publications; also see article, Annals of the History of Computing	ca. 1980-1983
Map case		Sigma Tau Epsilon chapter initiated March 12, 1924	1924
58	16	Slater, Robert: Time-Life Interview	1985
22	8	Smithsonian exhibit clippings and correspondence	1988-1990
4	9	Still photographs (6) of Atanasoff	1947-1950
56	7	Telenews	1980
54	21	Time Magazine	1986
Map case		University of Florida B.S. in Electrical Engineering	1925
58	14	University of Wyoming: correspondence	19822-1984

Description of series

Series 2	Correspondence	1929-1993, n.d.
extent:	56 folders
description:	This series contains a wide variety of professional correspondence from colleagues, friends, and students from throughout Atanasoff's career. Correspondents include George Gross, Sam Legvold, Max Munk, Bob Vaile, Jay Woodrow, and Iowa State College (later University) departments and offices. Several folders of 1993 celebratory birthday cards received from Maryland elementary school children are also included in this series.

Container list

Box	Folder	Title	Dates
2	5	ABC exhibit at the State Historical Society of Iowa	1987
7	2	A-E	1938-1942
34	6	Alan Martin	1986
51	7	Allegretti, Dimitri	1981-1984
53	8	American Federation of Information Processing Societies	1986
53	6	American Society of Mechanical Engineers	1985-1988
12	8	Approximate solution research	1941
51	12	Atchison: University of Maryland	1978-1980
51	11	Bell, Gwen: Director of Computer Museum,	1980-1982
53	7	Bennet, Ralph	1985-1990
52	6	Berg, Herman	1984
14	18	Birthday cards and letters	1993
15	3-15	Birthday cards and letters	1993
14	17	Birthday cards and lettersand 6 color still photographs of Atanasoff web site	1993
14	13	Birthday letters	1993
13	11	Birthday letters (elementary school)	1993
5	3	Bob Vaile (Stanford University)	1950-1960
54	4	Bonchev, Vikoley	1990-1992
51	6	Bulgaria	1981-1984
53	16	Burks, Alice	1987-1990
52	1	Burks, Arthur	1981
53	5	Burroughs Corporation: Research Symposium	1985-1986
54	9	Caldwell, Wallace	1991
54	12	Caldwell, Wallace: PBS correspondence	1992
51	14	Ceruzzi, Paul	1980
11	16	Charles P. Wells	1934-1938
52	7	Clem, John	1984-1985
3	13	Computer Medicine	1974-1976
58	2	Correspondence	1963-1990
51	1	Correspondence	1976-1994
52	13	Correspondence	1984-1992
51	8	Correspondence	1983-1984
5	2	Dr. Roy and Betty Weller	1950-1951
8	5	Earl C. McCracken	1934-1941
8	4	Erwin Krammer	1940-1942
51	2	Evans, Chris	1977
54	7	Fan Mail	1990-1995
51	3	Fan Mail	1981-1982
12	5	F-J	1938-1942
53	11	Florida State University	1987
52	3	Fusaro, Ben: Salisbury College, Maryland	1984
7	13	George Gross	1937-1942
12	17	George L. Clark and S.T. Gross	1940-1941
2	4	Heat energy from the ocean	1977
52	4	Howerton, Hugh	1984
54	5	Inventor's Hall of Fame	1990-1993
51	16	Iowa State University	1963-1981
51	13	Iowa State University	1977-1984
53	19	Iowa State University	1987-1992
53	21	Iowa State University: Computer Science Department	1984-1990
14	5	ISC	1942-1946
41	27	ISU	1974-1981
41	26	ISU	1967-1973
41	24	ISU	1963-1966
41	25	ISU	1967-1968
8	10	ISU Dept. of Math letter and ISU Dept. of Physics newsletter	1946-1947
11	7	ISU Dept. of Physics newsletter	1947
11	9	J.R. Stehn	1941
52	5	Japanese Brain	1984
11	10	Jay Woodrow	1941-1942
41	23	John Mauchly (photocopies)	1941
8	7	John Robert Sites	1941
54	13	John's Death	1995
51	9-10	Johnson, Cecil A.	1983-1985
52	9	Johnson, Cecil A.: after Omaha	1984-1987
52	11	Judge Earl R. Larson: United States District Court	1984-1990
54	11	Kirkpatrick, Allen	1992
9	4	K-O	1939-1942
53	15	Larson, Clarence	1985
54	10	Lee, John: Annals History of Computers	1992
52	12	Lendt, David	1984-1990
52	10	Lendt, David	1984-1987
53	18	Mackintosh, Allen	1987-1992
11	18	Margaret Woodrow	1940-1941
3	14	Max Munk	1974-1985
36	15	Max Munk (1 item)	1985
53	9	Mayfield, Betsy	1986-1987
54	3	McIntire, Glenda	1990-1991
6	4	Miscellaneous	1949-1951
53	3	Mulberry High School	1985-1986
14	6	National Defense Committee and Council	1942-1943
14	16	National Polytechnic Museum (Bulgaria) correspondence and 10 black and white still photographs of Atanasoff exhibit	1993
Map case		National Polytechnic Museum (Bulgaria): Posters	1993
21	2	Notes for ISU exhibit and clippings	1990
53	10	Olson, Walter	1986-1992
53	14	Penkov, Boyan	1987-1990
6	6	Personal and professional	1955-1960
6	7	Personal and professional	1952-1955
7	5	Personal and professional	1960-1961
7	9	Personal and professional (including correspondence with the Iowa State Highway Comm.)	1936-1937
8	6	Philip Hart	1937-1942
34	9	Philip J. Hart, also contains reprint articles	1983-1985
54	8	Physics Today	1991
54	6	Press Packet	1990-1993
16	1	Prof. Fox and Osterberg and reprint articles	1929-1936
14	1	P-T	1932-1942
53	1	Pylant, Jeff	1985
51	5	Radio Shack	1981-1982
8	2	Ray Cook	1936-1940
5	20	Reference and professional	1950-1951
52	8	Regis, Edward	1984-1985
12	2	Relating to crystal research	1936-1942
11	17	Robert G. Wilson	1936-1941
53	20	Rochester, Jack	1990
42	9	Rockefeller Foundation (discussion of locating records of grant denial in the 1940s)	1990
8	3	Sam Legvold	1939-1942
3	2	Scanivalve Company	1973
53	4	Sendov, Blagovest	1985-1986
54	2	Stancoiff, John	1990-1991
3	15	U.S. Office of Management and Budget	1976
52	2	University of Florida	1983-1985
53	13	University of Florida: Building dedication	1987
53	12	University of Wisconsin	1987
54	1	University Publications	1989
13	1	U-Z	1937-1941
53	2	Varna Conference	1985
53	17	Veishea	1988
51	4	Wells, Charles	1981-1982
51	15	Zientara: Computer World	1981

Description of series

Series 3	Business records	1956-1961
extent:	15 folders
description:	This series contains records relating to the operation of Aerojet, a corporation which Atanasoff was involved with in the late 1950s. Included are memorandum and correspondence concerning company proposals. The proposals include the development of automation systems, bacteriological weapons, and a satellite program.

Container list

Box	Folder	Title	Dates
4	7	Aerojet analysis of satellite program	1961
4	6	Aerojet analysis—automation as commercial product	1959
6	10	Aerojet Automated Mail Sorting data	1960
7	6	Aerojet contract	1961
7	7	Aerojet correspondence (General Tire and Rubber)	1958
6	12	Aerojet correspondence and memorandum	1950-1961
7	8	Aerojet financial records	1956
6	11	Aerojet Proposal	1960
4	3	Aerojet proposal for automatic mail system	1960
4	5	Aerojet proposal for developing bacteriological weapons	1960
4	1	Aerojet prospectus	1959
4	2	Aerojet prospectus	1959
7	4	Aerojet records	1956
4	4	Aerojet still photographs (3)	n.d.
6	9	Aerojet Turnkey Post Office Proposal	1959

Description of series

Series 4	Invention records	1930-1981, n.d.
extent:	52 folders
description:	This series contains records relating to Atanasoff's inventions, beginning prior to World War II and extending through to the 1970s. The files contain notes, information, and drawings relating to the following inventions: electrical clock (1936); cathode-ray tube and low-frequency detection device (World War II-era); electronic chassis (late 1940s); and several inventions relating to his home in Maryland, including the house itself, a hog house, a dryer for vegetables, and a seeder.

Container list

Box	Folder	Title	Dates
7	2	2-dimensional integraph	1937
6	8	Article/proposal: "The Mission of Pisgah V"	1965
5	6	Batteries	1950
Map case		Boat motor invention illustration	n.d.
3	7	Caloric	ca. 1980
3	8	Camera	1956, n.d.
36	4	Correspondence and notes	1965-1969
12	10	Crystal data	ca. 1930s
11	12	Crystal vibration theory	n.d.
Map case		Drawings of boats	n.d.
Map case		Drawings of computer parts (10 – 3 positives, 7 negatives)	1931-1940, n.d.
3	12	Dryer for vegetables	1981
5	9	Electric clock	1936, n.d.
33	9	Electronic chassis	1948
12	9	Extension of Fredholm Method to Linear Operational Equations	n.d.
3	9	Gate alarm	n.d.
3	5	Generalized Taylor Expansion	1939-1979
5	4	Hay drying	1950, n.d.
3	10	Hog house	1980
8	1	House sketches	n.d.
3	11	Induction pendulum	ca. 1930
12	12	Key to crystal groups	n.d.
Map case		Laplacian Integraph, Project 210, Iowa Engineering Experiment Station: Drawing	1937
7	3	Magnetic amplifiers	1948-1953
5	10	Naval Ordnance Lab (NOL): seismograph plates and blueprints	ca. 1945
Map case		Naval Ordnance Lab (NOL): seismograph plates and blueprints	ca. 1945
12	7	NOL barograph Type 1A	1949
33	10	NOL: Cathode Ray Tube Sound Recorder andNOL: Low Frequency Vibration Detection Device	1952-1953
5	15	NOL: Memorandum of results (2)	1949
5	16	NOL: Microbaragraph notes and NOL: Shaking table design	1948, n.d.
5	11	NOL: printed article, "Constant Frequency Oscillators"	1931
8	9	NOL: Project steering committee minutes	1946-1947
9	9	NOL: project—trip to Germany	1947
5	14	NOL: Seismographic/low frequency records	1947
10	10	NOL: Storage of Pulses on Cathode-Ray Tubes reports and memoranda	1947
5	12	NOL: technical report, " An Electrostatic Method...," (Kolsrud)	1951
5	13	NOL: thesis, earlier version of above technical report	n.d.
10	7	NOL:Glossary of Electroacoustic Terms	1948
12	4	Notes on variables	n.d.
11	16	Nylon cutter	1945
46	4	Patent correspondence (some photocopies)	1940-1979
35	7	Photography data	1965-1966
35	8	Photography data	1965-1966
35	9	Photometer for enlarging	1969
36	6	Potentrometers	1966
36	18	Printed materials relating to solar heat/energy	1972-1977
11	14	Properties of orthogonal functions	n.d.
36	5	Proton magnetometer	1966
35	10	Radio receivers	1964-1970
3	6	Seeder	1980
35	6	Separator	1963-1968
36	2	Slide rule for domestic use	1965, n.d.
6	1	Solar heating notes	1951
8	14	Transformer and spring by dimensional analysis data	n.d.
11	13	Vector elasticity notes	n.d.
12	11	Vibration of crystal plates	n.d.

Description of series

Series 5	Research and Publications (including printed materials and JVA writings)	1926-1986, n.d.
extent:	112 folders
description:	This series contains Atanasoff's research notes and published materials relating to his career. There are reprint articles, notes for speeches, translations, ISU exam questions and coursework, quantum mechanics notes, portions of a book on underwater acoustics and sound, Naval Ordnance Laboratory project reports, and drafts of "The Advent of Electronic Digital Computing," published in the Annals of the History of Computing in 1983.

Container list

Box	Folder	Title	Dates
38	2	"Advent of Electronic Digital Computing," Annals of the History of Computing	1983
11	6	"Solution of Linear Systems of High Order" (Von Neumann)	1946
8	15	"Theory of Physical Dimensions" (JVA)	n.d.
38	7	Annals article	ca. 1983
38	8	Annals article	1982
39	1	Annals article	ca. 1980
39	2	Annals article	ca. 1980
39	3	Annals article	ca. 1980
39	5	Annals article	ca. 1980
39	7	Annals article	ca. 1980
39	8	Annals article	ca. 1980
39	9	Annals article	ca. 1980
38	4	Annals article, revised	1983
39	6	Annals notes and article	ca. 1983
36	1	Anodizing notes	n.d.
14	7	Anti-aircraft article and notes	ca. 1943
7	10	Article and seminar reports	1929, n.d.
8	11	Article: "Piezo Electric Oscillations"	ca. 1935
14	12	Article: Application of Punched Card Equipment to the Analysis of Complex Spectra	1935
14	15	Bibliography on electronic computer	1949
18	3	Bibliography—Computer Impacts	1983
22	1	Blank graph sheets	n.d.
21	8	Cement mortar field notebook	1969
24	10	Chapter III—Evolution of State of Gas (handwritten)	n.d.
24	11	Chapter III—Evolution of State of Gas (typescript)	n.d.
24	12	Chapter III—Evolution of State of Gas (typescript)	n.d.
18	5	Computer Impacts (communications equipment)	1983
19	2	Computer Impacts (engine tests)	1983
19	1	Computer Impacts (mapping)	1983
10	5	Dynamics course (ISU)	ca. 1935
12	13	Elastic constants of quartz notes	ca. 1935
13	6	Electricity and magnetism	n.d.
13	7	Electricity and magnetism	n.d.
10	6	Electrodynamic course (ISU)	ca. 1935
14	2	Equations for unknowns	n.d.
5	1	Essay-fuse design (JVA)	n.d.
5	5	Essay-military economics (JVA)	n.d.
12	6	Essay—philosophical relationship between math and physics	n.d.
5	8	Essay-theory of army motorization (JVA)	ca. 1943
21	7	Field book notes	1968
14	9	Ground state of lithium notes and references	n.d.
14	11	Initial phase of bacterial growth notes	n.d.
10	9	Kinetic theory course (ISU)	1936
17	4	List of graduate students	n.d.
38	6	List of slides	n.d.
14	3	Magnetron notes	n.d.
13	8	Michigan Symposium (Bohr, Van Vleck, Fermi)	1933
37	8	NOL: Correspondence and final report	1949
37	2	NOL: Crossroads project	1946
37	3	NOL: Crossroads project	1946
37	6	NOL: Helgoland	1946
37	7	NOL: Helgoland project notebook	1946
37	5	NOL: memos and project descriptions	1946
37	1	NOL: notebook, Helogland Project (Bikini)	1946
12	3	Notes and report on Summerfeld/Richardson electron	n.d.
6	2	Notes for speeches (JVA)	n.d.
14	8	Notes, printed materials and correspondence—Geiger Counter	1935-1936
9	10	Notes—Dynamics (JVA)	ca. 1945
9	11	Notes—Dynamics of Rigid Bodies (JVA)	ca. 1945
9	12	Notes—Theoretical physics, Hamilton’s Principle (JVA)	ca. 1947
40		Original galleys	1983
11	11	Osborne Club speech	n.d.
12	15	Physical Review article	ca. 1945
12	16	Physical Review crystal data	n.d.
9	6	Physical Review review	1942
36	3	Precise scales and balances	1969-1971
39	4	Presentation	ca. 1980
9	7	Presentations and correspondence (Related to ISU)	1937-1942
9	13	Quantum Mechanics course	1931
13	9	Quantum mechanics course	n.d.
13	10	Quantum mechanics course notes	1929
8	16	Quantum Mechanics Exam Questions (ISU)	1937-1942
13	2	Quantum mechanics syllabus	1935
18	4	References—Computer Impacts (manufacturing)	1983
9	1	Relativistic Quantum Mechanics (JVA)	n.d.
56	10-11	Reports & Publications	1940-1985
3	1	Reprint articles (JVA)	1940-1967
5	21	Reprint articles (JVA)	1932-1942
34	7	Research notes and presentation on computing	1985
14	10	Research projects index	n.d.
35	1	Speech	1984
9	5	Speeches—quantum mechanics (JVA)	ca. 1940
11	8	Subject notes	1926
38	5	Summarizing of Concepts Brought to Computing	n.d.
36	8	Teachers in the U.S. clippings	1974-1986
36	7	Teachers in the U.S. correspondence and articles	1974-1986
9	6	The Physical Review review	1942
10	2	Theoretical physics course (ISU)	1935
10	1	Theoretical physics course (University of Md.)	1946-1947
10	3	Thermodynamics course (ISU)	n.d.
10	4	Thermodynamics course (ISU)	n.d.
7	12	Thesis and essays on linear differential equations	1938, n.d.
13	5	Translation (Vol. II), Krawtchouk	n.d.
11	15	Translation (Vol. II-Krawtchouk)	n.d.
8	12	Translation of: On the Solution of Linear Differential and Integral Equations by the Method of Moments (Krawtchouk)	ca. 1935-1936
10	8	Translation: Boltzman’s H. Theorem	n.d.
8	13	Translations: Krawtchouk	ca. 1935-1936
11	4	Underwater Acoustics: chapter II	ca. 1946
11	5	Underwater Acoustics: chapter IV	ca. 1946
11	1	Underwater Acoustics: draft	ca. 1946
11	3	Underwater Acoustics: drawings	ca. 1946
11	2	Underwater Acoustics: notes	ca. 1946
10	12	Underwater Sound: bibliographies and summaries	ca. 1946
10	13	Underwater Sound: chapter I	ca. 1946
10	14	Underwater Sound: chapter II	ca. 1946
10	15	Underwater Sound: chapter III	ca. 1946
10	16	Underwater Sound: chapter III	ca. 1946
10	11	Underwater Sound: material and chapters	n.d.
9	2	Van Vlack lectures on Quantum Mechanics	1929
9	3	Wentzel notes on Quantum Mechanics	1929-1930
35	12	Wine information and recipes	n.d.

Description of series

Series 6	Legal records	1925-1980, n.d.
extent:	155 folders and 3 records center cartons
description:	This series contains depositions, transcripts of proceedings, testimony, correspondence, black and white photographs, published materials, original notes and drawings, and a finding of fact for the case of Honeywell, Inc. v Control Data, Inc. The materials all relate to the development of the ABC Computer, and depositions from Atanasoff, John Mauchly, and patent lawyer, Richard Trexler, and a full-length interview with Atanasoff are included. The correspondents include Cliff Berry, Sam Legvold, Richard Trexler, and Iowa State College (University).

Container list

Box	Folder	Title	Dates
24	1	"Solutions of Systems of Linear Equations by the Use of Punched Cards" and blueprints (2)	n.d.
47	2	Agreement and ISU/Research accounts (1941-1953)	1968 ca.
47	1	Agreement and modification	1968-1972
25	3	Article	1940 ca.
23	15	Articles and notes	n.d.
44	3	Atanasoff deposition – volume 1 (11/11/68)	1968
44	4	Atanasoff deposition – volume 2 (11/12/68)	1968
44	5	Atanasoff deposition – volume 3 (11/13/68)	1968
44	6	Atanasoff deposition – volume 4 (11/14/68)	1968
45	1	Atanasoff deposition – volume 5 (11/15/68)	1968
45	2	Atanasoff deposition – volume 6 (12/3/68)	1968
45	3	Atanasoff deposition – volume 7 (12/4/68)	1968
45	4	Atanasoff deposition – volume 8 (12/5/68)	1968
45	5	Atanasoff deposition – volume 9 (12/6/68)	1968
32	4	Atanasoff interview, 7/10/1968	1968
32	3	Atanasoff interview, 7/11/1968	1968
32	6	Atanasoff interview, 7/22/1968	1968
32	7	Atanasoff interview, 7/23/1968	1968
33	1	Atanasoff interview, 7/24/1968	1968
33	2	Atanasoff interview, 7/25/1968	1968
33	3	Atanasoff interview, 7/26/1968	1968
32	5	Atanasoff interview, 7/9/1968	1968
25	7	Bell Labs article	1967
25	1	Black and white still photographs (11), Negatives (23)	n.d.
38	9	Black and white still photographs (21), some original and some copies, Drawings (3) (photocopies)	1940 ca.
23	8	Black and white still photographs (42) of the ABC, JVA and Atanasoff family and correspondence	1940-1985 ca.
26	7	Black and white still photographs of the ABC (5)	1940 ca.
25	8	Buchanan notes (photocopies)	1951
46		Case transcript, Volume II: Sperry Rand Corporation v Control Data Corporation	1970 ca.
25	4	Christmas letters (original)	1939-1941
27	5	Chronological event list	1967 ca.
33	4	Chronological event lists	1968 ca.
27	1	Computing Machine article (photocopy)	n.d.
23	10	Computing machine notes (photocopy)	n.d.
40		Copies of documents used in case	1970 ca.
40		Copies of documents used in case	1970 ca.
33	8	Correspondence	1972
24	9	Correspondence – miscellaneous (original)	1940
24	7	Correspondence – resistors (original)	1939-1940
24	8	Correspondence – vacuum tubes (original)	1939-1941
28	4	Correspondence and agreement with ISURF	1968-1972
24	6	Correspondence and information – condensors (original)	1939-1940
25	23	Correspondence and material — Clifford Berry (originals and photocopies)	1939-1974
47	3	Correspondence and memorandum, Original draft for patent	1941-1974
28	5	Correspondence between law office and ISU	1968-1971
27	7	Correspondence relating to ISU case participation	1968-1971
27	8	Correspondence relating to ISU case participation	1971
28	3	Correspondence relating to ISU case participation	1970-1971
28	1	Correspondence relating to ISU case participation	1971
28	2	Correspondence relating to ISU case participation	1971
27	2	Correspondence relating to JVA deposition	1969
25	21	Correspondence with Charles Bradley (original)	1964-1967
25	18	Correspondence with Charles Thorne (original)	1937-1942
25	6	Correspondence with Clifford Anderson (original)	1941
25	24	Correspondence with Clifford Berry (originals and photocopies)	1939-1963
25	12	Correspondence with General Electric (original)	1941
25	9	Correspondence with George Gross (original)	1940
26	2	Correspondence with IBM (original)	1934-1954
25	10	Correspondence with ISU concerning exhibit (original)	1966
26	4	Correspondence with ISU/Research Council (original)	1939-1942
25	26	Correspondence with ISURF	1938-1966
25	14	Correspondence with John Mauchly (original)	1941
26	6	Correspondence with Mathematics Tables Project, Project description for consideration (originals)	1942
25	17	Correspondence with R.K. Richards (original)	1963
26	3	Correspondence with Remington Rand (original)	1940
25	22	Correspondence with Richard Trexler (original)	1937-1942
25	13	Correspondence with Robert Mather (original)	1942
25	16	Correspondence with Robert Orr/ISU Library (original)	1963
25	19	Correspondence with Robert Vail (original)	1939-1940
25	11	Correspondence with Sam Legvold (original)	1942-1967
25	15	Correspondence with W.E. Milne (original)	1938-1940
27	6	Correspondence, affidavits, briefs — relating to ISU case participation, agreement with ISU	1968
31	7	Correspondence, articles on the history of computing, JVA company	1952-1970 ca.
47	6	Correspondence, case transcripts (Maryland case/ISURF)	1968-1971 ca.
47	7	Correspondence, case transcripts (Maryland case/ISURF)	1968-1971 ca.
48	1	Correspondence, case transcripts (Maryland case/ISURF)	1968-1971 ca.
47	5	Correspondence, case transcripts (Maryland case/ISURF) Honeywell Inc. v Sperry Rand legal records	1968-1971 ca.
23	7	Correspondence, condensors (photocopies)	1939
23	11	Correspondence, ISU Research Foundation (photocopies)	1939-1967
23	4	Correspondence, miscellaneous – photocopies)	1940
25	20	Correspondence, miscellaneous (original)	1939-1959
23	6	Correspondence, resistors (photocopies)	1939-1941
23	5	Correspondence, vacuum tubes (photocopies)	1939-1941
26	1	Correspondence-financial support for the ABC (original)	1940
25	25	Data and drawings for computer model	1968
32	2	Decision	1973
28	6	Deposition of Richard Trexler	1971
19	5	Depositions (0/13/1967)	1967
19	3	Depositions (10/11/1967)	1967
19	6	Depositions (10/12/1971)	1971
23	3	Description and correspondence relating to the ABC, (photocopy)	1925-1942 ca.
42	1	Documents submitted by S.C. Yuter, attorney for Arthur Burks	1970 ca.
24	5	Draft – computing machine (original)	1940 ca.
24	4	Draft contract for ABC (original), correspondence (original), and articles	1937-1940, n.d.
27	4	Drawings and notes (photocopies)	n.d.
27	3	Drawings of the ABC (originals)	n.d.
23	2	Evidence from foundations	n.d.
23	12	Evidence of conception (photocopies)	1939-1942
34	4	Exhibits related to deposition	n.d.
34	5	Exhibits related to deposition	n.d.
28	7	File copies	1971 ca.
24	2	Fiscal statements (original)	1940-1941
25	2	Guide to documents furnished by JVA	1968 ca.
23	13	Handwritten notes (Cliff Berry) and typed notes	n.d.
40		Honeywell Inc. v Sperry Rand: Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, and Order for Judgement (Volume)	1973
20	1	JVA Deposition (2/13/1968)	1968
38	3	List and notes	1970 ca.
48		Maryland/ISURF case transcript	1968-1971 ca.
22	5	Mauchly testimony (11/10/1971)	1971
22	3	Mauchly testimony (11/8/1971) and JVA comments	1971, n.d.
22	4	Mauchly testimony (11/9/1971)	1971
46	4	Memorandum and correspondence	1971
23	14	Original notes (photocopy) and graphs	1939, n.d.
24	3	Payroll vouchers (originals)	1941
40		Plaintiff's Final Brief on the Merits (Volume)	1973 ca.
25	5	Publicity (original)	1941-1942
23	9	Punched card equipment (photocopy)	n.d.
26	5	Revised article	n.d.
33	5	Revisions to JVA deposition	1968 ca.
33	6	Revisions to JVA deposition	1968 ca.
47	4	Richard Trexler deposition	1970 ca.
34	1	Selected portions of JVA deposition	n.d.
34	2	Selected portions of JVA deposition	n.d.
34	3	Selected portions of JVA deposition	n.d.
31	5	Selected testimony of JVA	n.d.
31	6	Selected testimony of JVA	n.d.
49		Sperry Rand v Control Data case transcript	1970 ca.
32	1	Transcript notes, "Beginning of Electronic Digital Computing" (JVA)	1971, 1982 ca.
19	4	Transcript of proceedings (11/11/1971)	1971
43	1	Transcript of proceedings (6/15/71)	1971
43	2	Transcript of proceedings (6/16/71)	1971
43	3	Transcript of proceedings (6/17/71)	1971
43	4	Transcript of proceedings (6/18/71)	1971
43	5	Transcript of proceedings (6/21/71)	1971
43	6	Transcript of proceedings (6/22/71)	1971
43	7	Transcript of proceedings (6/22/71)	1971
44	1	Transcript of proceedings (6/24/71)	1971
44	2	Transcript of proceedings (6/25/71)	1971
29	1	Trial transcript, volume I	n.d.
30	3	Trial transcript, volume I	n.d.
29	2	Trial transcript, volume II	n.d.
29	3	Trial transcript, volume II	n.d.
29	4	Trial transcript, volume III	n.d.
29	5	Trial transcript, volume III	n.d.
29	6	Trial transcript, volume III	n.d.
29	7	Trial transcript, volume IV	n.d.
31	3	Trial transcript, volume IX	n.d.
31	4	Trial transcript, volume IX	n.d.
30	1	Trial transcript, volume V	n.d.
30	2	Trial transcript, volume V	n.d.
30	4	Trial transcript, volume VI	n.d.
30	5	Trial transcript, volume VI	n.d.
30	6	Trial transcript, volume VII	n.d.
30	7	Trial transcript, volume VII	n.d.
31	1	Trial transcript, volume VIII	n.d.
31	2	Trial transcript, volume VIII	n.d.
23	1	Typed carbon of manual (photocopy)	n.d.
33	7	Work schedule	1971 ca.

Description of series

Series 7	Language study	1944-1987, n.d.
extent:	68 folders
description:	This series contains published materials, notes, and correspondence, related to Atanasoff's experimentation and study of the creation of a new alphabet. Atanasoff firmly believed that a digital alphabet should be developed as the current alphabet was too difficult for children to learn.

Container list

Box	Folder	Title	Dates
34	11	"Writing in English" (JVA-5 copies)	n.d.
2	3	"Writing" (presention)	n.d.
2	17	"Writing" (various drafts)	n.d.
2	15	Alphabet	1970
1	18	Alphabet correspondence	1980
1	13	Alphabet design notes	1965-1970
2	16	Alphabet notes	1973-1975
2	18	Article	1966
2	20	Articles and correspondence – I.J. Gelb	1979-1980
2	22	Biographical information – Sir James Pitman	n.d.
1	2	Brain studies	n.d.
36	9	Bulgarian alphabet	1983
2	12	Center for Applied Linguistics	1965-1969
1	5	China	n.d.
36	16	Clippings	1977-1985
1	17	Correspondence	1972-1974
2	13	Correspondence	1972-1973
35	5	Correspondence	1985
2	19	Correspondence – I.J. Gelb	1972
36	10	Correspondence – Valerie Yule	1984-1987
36	14	Correspondence and notes	1984
2	9	Correspondence-Ben Wood	1972-1975
2	10	Correspondence-Gerald Baker	1973-1974
2	11	Correspondence-Marvin Linford	1974
1	15	Cursive writing	n.d.
35	11	Data on probabilities	1973
34	10	Deseret alphabet articles (photocopies)	1953-1969, n.d.
1	25	Digital alphabet article	ca. 1975
3	3	Dvorak typewriter	n.d.
1	10	English	n.d.
1	4	Hawaiian language	n.d.
36	12	Information redundancy	1972-1977, n.d.
2	21	Initial Teaching Alphabet	1963-1974
1	6	Japan	n.d.
2	2	Japanese letters and correspondence (mention of 1973 judgement)	1974-1980
2	23	Japanese scholar contact information	n.d.
1	7	Language symposium notes	1974
1	23	Laubach	n.d.
1	9	Learning to read	n.d.
34	12	Lecture	1984
1	14	Legibility and readability notes	1970
2	1	Letters, data sheet	n.d.
5	7	Naval Ordnance Lab: notes on alphabet	1944-1947
1	12	New Alphabet (article)	n.d.
35	3	Notes	n.d.
38	1	Notes and printed materials	ca. 1970
21	11	Notes on writing	n.d.
2	6	Numeralphabet	1964-1970
1	11	Phoneme considerations data	1975
1	27	Presentation at ISU – Language study (continued)	1983
1	24	Presentations	n.d.
35	2	Proposal for Optimum Alphabet	1974
1	22	Proposals	1974
35	4	Published materials and presentations	ca. 1970-1980
1	1	Sight reading of music	n.d.
2	8	Speech	1977
1	8	Study of sound	n.d.
1	21	Theory of writing notes	1980
1	16	Time comprehension calculations and notes	1973
1	19	Tune, Editor of Spelling Progress correspondence	1979-1980
1	20	Typewriter design notes and still photographs (8)	1972-1980
2	7	U.S. Office of Education Study of Literacy	1975
1	3	Various alphabets	n.d.
2	14	Vocabulary data	1972
1	26	Writings	1970-1975
36	11	Writings	ca. 1970-1980
36	13	Writings	1976, n.d.

Description of series

Series 8	Printed materials	1927-2003
extent:	43 folders
description:	This series contains a varying amount of printed material, relating to Atanasoff's research interest. Included are reprint articles and theses of former students and other researchers, and articles and clippings relating to the history of computing.

Container list

Box	Folder	Title	Dates
4	11	Article on teacher certification (Stout) and speech on the Space Age (Hannum)	1958, n.d.
16	2	Articles	1937-1941
42	2-5	Articles on the history of computing	1974-1978
49	6	Articles on the history of computing, "Calvin Mooers, the NOL Computer Project, and JVA: An Intro"	2001
14	19	Cosmos Club bulletin	1993
MAP CASE		Digital Equipment Corporation poster honoring J. Forrester	n.d.
49	3	International Symposium on Modular Computing	2003
14	20	Mt. Airy newspaper	1993
15	1	Newspaper clippings	1974-1993
41	28	"Operator's Manual for ENIAC Dynamic Display" (Arthur Burks)	n.d.
37	4	Pamphlets on seismology	1946-1947
41	9	Patent: Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer, (J.P. Eckert, et al)	1947
22	9	Printed materials: ENIAC	1949, 1982
6	3	Printed materials: Local Climatological Data	1953
17	7	Report (JVA and students)	1945
18	1	Reprint articles	1940-1941
18	2	Reprint articles	1940-1941
17	9	Reprint articles (JVA students)	1930-1937
17	10	Reprint articles (JVA students)	1940-1949
16	3	Reprint articles (other authors)	1930-1932
16	4	Reprint articles (other authors)	1933-1934
16	5	Reprint articles (other authors)	1935-1936
16	6	Reprint articles (other authors)	1937-1938
17	1	Reprint articles (other authors)	1938-1939
17	2	Reprint articles (other authors)	1950-1952
41	15-20	Reprints (JVA)	1930-1984
17	8	Reprints articles (JVA students)	1927-1929
41	29	"Super Electronic Computing Machine" (Arthur Burks), "Electronic Computing Circuits of the ENIAC"	1946, n.d.
13	3	Texas Instruments calculator information	1980 ca.
13	4	Texas Instruments calculator information	1980 ca.
42	12	"The ENIAC: First General-Purpose Electronic Computer" (Arthur W. Burks and Alice R. Burks)	1981
41	10	"Theory of Self-Reproducing Automata" (John von Neumann)	1966
17	5	Theses (JVA students)	1939-1941
17	6	Theses (JVA students)	1935-1939
22	2	U.S. Dept. of Commerce circular on photographic lenses	1953
42	1	Who Invented the General-Purpose Electronic Computer" (Arthur Burks) and newspaper clippings on Sperry-Rand and Mauchly, (photocopies)	1968-1974