Howard Aiken

Howard Hathaway Aiken (March 9, 1900, Hoboken, New Jersey, March 14, 1973, St.. Louis, Missouri) was a pioneer in the field of computers, and he is the principal engineer in the development of IBM's Harvard Mark I

Aiken was educated at the University of Wisconsin graduate, Madison, and completed his Ph.D. in the field of physics at Harvard University in 1939. At the time he completed his doctoral program encountered differential equations that can be solved only numerically. He envisioned a tool to create electro-mechanical computing that can help solve these equations. Instrument was originally called the Automatic Sequence Controlled Calculator (ASCC) and later given the name of the Harvard Mark I. With the assistance of Grace Hopper and funding from IBM, this machine was completed in 1944. In 1947, Aiken completed his work the next-generation computer called the Harvard Mark II. Subsequent versions and continue to be developed, starting from the Mark III is still partially uses the mechanical components and Harvard Mark IV, which have all filled with electronic components.

Aiken was inspired to build the machines from the engine of Charles Babbage's differential.

In 1970, Aiken received the IEEE Edison Medal for his contributions became a pioneer in the development of large-scale digital computer and its contribution in the field of digital computer education.