Differential Analyzer Parts and Documentation

Room-sized differential analyzers were among the largest computing devices built before the advent of mainframe computers. The first was completed in 1930 by Vannevar Bush and his associates at MIT for use in solving a wide range of second-order differential equations of practical importance. Further funding from the Rockefeller Foundation made possible the building of an improved differential analyzer at MIT, with the original going to Wright University in Dayton, Ohio. Differential analyzers also were built for ballistics calculations at Aberdeen Proving Ground, for astrophysical research in Norway, and at Cambridge and at Manchester in England. Several differential analyzer components in the Smithsonian collections come from a differential analyzer built after World War II by General Electric for the University of California at Los Angeles and used extensively in the design of aircraft.

Documentation Relating to the UCLA Differential Analyzer

These documents include a manual on the differential analyzer from General Electric, tables of decimal equivalents, drawings and service sheets relating to magnetic amplifiers, the UCLA operating manual for the differential analyzer, logbooks, maintenance records, etc.
Description
These documents include a manual on the differential analyzer from General Electric, tables of decimal equivalents, drawings and service sheets relating to magnetic amplifiers, the UCLA operating manual for the differential analyzer, logbooks, maintenance records, etc. For related transaction, see 1983.0023.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1943-1956
maker
University of California, Los Angeles
General Electric Company
ID Number
1995.3001.09
catalog number
1995.3001.09
nonaccession number
1995.3001

Documentation on the UCLA Differential Analyzer

These documents include records of attempts to improve the differential analyzer at UCLA between 1949-1955, service request sheets from 1963-1964, and instrumentation service sheets from 1965-1977. For a related transaction, see 1983.0023.Currently not on view
Description
These documents include records of attempts to improve the differential analyzer at UCLA between 1949-1955, service request sheets from 1963-1964, and instrumentation service sheets from 1965-1977. For a related transaction, see 1983.0023.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1949-1977
maker
University of California, Los Angeles
ID Number
1995.3001.10
catalog number
1995.3001.10
nonaccession number
1995.3001

Blueprints for the UCLA Differential Analyzer

These blueprints showing the UCLA differential analyzer were made by its manufacturer, General Electric. For a related transaction, see 1983.0023.Currently not on view
Description
These blueprints showing the UCLA differential analyzer were made by its manufacturer, General Electric. For a related transaction, see 1983.0023.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
General Electric Company
ID Number
1995.3001.11
catalog number
1995.3001.11
nonaccession number
1995.3001

Drawings for Modifications of the UCLA Differential Analyzer

These drawings show modifications to the UCLA differential analyzer (see listing with drawings).For a related transaction, see 1983.0023.Currently not on view
Description
These drawings show modifications to the UCLA differential analyzer (see listing with drawings).
For a related transaction, see 1983.0023.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
University of California, Los Angeles
ID Number
1995.3001.12
nonaccession number
1995.3001
catalog number
1995.3001.12

Blueprints Made from Drawing for Improvements to the UCLA Differential Analyzer

These blueprints were made from the drawings of 1995.3001.12. The blueprints have been retained if they were altered from the drawings.For a related transaction, see 1983.0023.Currently not on view
Description
These blueprints were made from the drawings of 1995.3001.12. The blueprints have been retained if they were altered from the drawings.
For a related transaction, see 1983.0023.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
University of California, Los Angeles
ID Number
1995.3001.13
nonaccession number
1995.3001
catalog number
1995.3001.13

Documentation Relating to Problems Solved on the UCLA Differential Analyzer

These notes, machine set-up drawings, correspondence and other materials relate to specific problems solved using the UCLA differential analyzer between 1947 and 1956. There also is information on two problems solved using E.A.S.E.
Description
These notes, machine set-up drawings, correspondence and other materials relate to specific problems solved using the UCLA differential analyzer between 1947 and 1956. There also is information on two problems solved using E.A.S.E. (Electronic Analog Simulating Equipment) in 1956. The materials are arranged chronologically by problem. For related transaction, see 1983.0023.
Many of those who solved problems came from outside of UCLA.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1947-1956
maker
University of California, Los Angeles
ID Number
1995.3001.14
nonaccession number
1995.3001
catalog number
1995.3001.14

Documentation on Problems Attempted but Not Solved on the UCLA Differential Analyzer

These records relate to problems attempted or discussed but not solved on the UCLA differential analyzer. For a related transaction, see 1983.0023.Currently not on view
Description
These records relate to problems attempted or discussed but not solved on the UCLA differential analyzer. For a related transaction, see 1983.0023.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
University of California, Los Angeles
ID Number
1995.3001.15
nonaccession number
1995.3001
catalog number
1995.3001.15

Documentation on the Philbrick Computer

TheElectronic Analogue Computation Laboratory of the Department of Engineering at the University of California at Los Anglees prepared a typescript Bulletin describing developments in the field. This is Bulletin No. 2.The undated document - as well as Bulletin No.
Description
TheElectronic Analogue Computation Laboratory of the Department of Engineering at the University of California at Los Anglees prepared a typescript Bulletin describing developments in the field. This is Bulletin No. 2.The undated document - as well as Bulletin No. 1 - described use of Philbrick Computer components. A signature on the document reads: Don Lebell. A five-page document attached to this one is entitled "Application of Feedback Amplifiers to Analog Operations." It is by Louis G. Walters.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1950
ID Number
1995.3001.16
nonaccession number
1995.3001
catalog number
1995.3001.16

Documentation on UCLA's Electronic Analog Simulating Equpment (EASE)

These materials describe UCLA's Electronic Analog Simulating Equipment (E.A.S.E.).Currently not on view
Description
These materials describe UCLA's Electronic Analog Simulating Equipment (E.A.S.E.).
Location
Currently not on view
maker
University of California, Los Angeles
ID Number
1995.3001.17
nonaccession number
1995.3001
catalog number
1995.3001.17

Documentation, UCLA AC Network Analyzer

This documentation on the AC Network Analyzer at UCLA includes a manual.Currently not on view
Description
This documentation on the AC Network Analyzer at UCLA includes a manual.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
University of California, Los Angeles
ID Number
1995.3001.18
nonaccession number
1995.3001
catalog number
1995.3001.18

Documentation on Miscellaneous Computing Devices

This documentation on diverse computing devices includes material on the BINAC, the C.I.T.
Description
This documentation on diverse computing devices includes material on the BINAC, the C.I.T. Electric Analog Computer, the Douglas Aircraft Data Analyzer, the EDVAC, diverse German and Japanese machines, the Goodyear Geda L3, the Maddida, the SWAC, and Reeves Instrument Company machines.
For a related transaction, see 1983.0023.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1947-1956
ID Number
1995.3001.19
nonaccession number
1995.3001
catalog number
1995.3001.19

Miscellanous Documentation Received with the UCLA Differential Analyzer

These diverse publications were received with the UCLA differential analyzer.Currently not on view
Description
These diverse publications were received with the UCLA differential analyzer.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1995.3001.20
nonaccession number
1995.3001
catalog number
1995.3001.20

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