Remington Rand Univac Minimum Latency Calculator Slide Rule

Description:

This circular device was an aid to programming the UNIVAC solid state computer. It consists of a paper disc, with equal divisions running from 1 to 200 near the edge, and a clear plastic rotating disc. These are pivoted together at the center. The upper disc is marked in red with two perpendicular diameters. The lower disc is marked: MINIMUM LATENCY CALCULATOR FOR THE UNIVAC SOLID-STATE COMPUTER. The UNIVAC had a magnetic storage drum on which locations were specified numerically. The latency calculator allowed programmers to write code for the machine to make the most efficient possible use of the drum memory.

The back of the instrument gives a list of instruction codes and corresponding execution times for words. It is marked: Remington Rand Univac. It is also marked: U1767 Rev. 1 PRINTED (/) IN (/) U.S.A. The rule was received in a paper bag.

Reference: Sperry Rand Corporation, Simple Transition to Electronic Processing, UNIVAC Solid-State 80, (1960), 18–26.

Date Made: after 1950

Maker: Remington Rand Univac

Location: Currently not on view

Place Made: United States: New York, New York City

Subject: Rule, CalculatingMathematics

Subject:

See more items in: Medicine and Science: Mathematics, Computers & Business Machines, Science & Mathematics, Slide Rules

Exhibition:

Exhibition Location:

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: 2005.0271.01Accession Number: 2005.0271Catalog Number: 2005.0271.01

Object Name: calculating ruleslide rule

Physical Description: paper (overall material)plastic (part material)metal (part material)Measurements: overall: .1 cm x 14 cm x 14 cm; 1/32 in x 5 1/2 in x 5 1/2 in

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746ab-c7b3-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_1295854

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