This computer printout relates to the proof of the four color problem developed by Wolfgang Haken and Kenneth Appel of the University of Illinois in 1976. This was one of the first major mathematical proofs done with computer assistance.
The four color problem states that, when drawing any kind of map on a two-dimensional surface (including but not limited to the map of the world), no more than four colors are needed in order to color every country and ensure that no two countries of the same color share a border. The only assumption made is that all countries are contiguous (countries are not divided into multiple disconnected parts, as is the case with the United States, including the states of Alaska and Hawaii).
Haken and Appel discovered that all possible map layouts contained one or more particular smaller layouts called “unavoidable configurations.” They also discovered “reducible configurations” to which all larger maps could be mathematically “reduced.” A map containing a reducible configuration cannot be the smallest possible map to contradict the four color theorem; if it did, said map could be reduced to a smaller map also contradicting the four color theorem. Haken and Appel’s epiphany came when they identified 1,936 configurations (later shortened to 1,476) that were both reducible and formed an unavoidable set of configurations. Thus every possible map contained at least one reducible configuration and consequently no map could be the smallest map to contradict the four color theorem. This seeming logical absurdity led to the conclusion that no contradiction could exist and the four color theorem applied to all possible maps. This proof took over 1000 hours of computer processing to check all 1,936 configurations and required 400 pages to be double-checked by hand.
Hakin and Appel published a complete and detailed proof in 1989 to counter rumors that their initial 1976 proof contained errors.
This particular printout was made by Haken in January, 1988. It includes about 200 pages of hand tabulations. This is the second version of the proof. The computer-printed pages are bound in a beige report cover with metal and plastic binding, with many notations in pencil and red ink.
Punch cards relating to the proof are part of non-accession 1999.3075.
MACSYMA (Project MAC's SYmbolic MAnipulation system) is a set of programs used to solve problems in algebra, calculus, linear algebra and differential equations. Development began in 1968, as part of planning for a new computer to be built at MIT known as the MAC. Programs were written in Lisp. In 1982 MIT franted Symbolics, Inc., a manufacturer of Lisp work stations, a license to sell a commercial version of MACSYMA. The program has been modified and distributed under other names.
This yellow-covered manual by the Mathlab Group at Laboratory for Computer Science at MIT is the second printing of version nine of the MACSYMA reference manual.
Tetris was invented by Alexei Pajitnov in 1984 while working for the Academy of Science of the USSR. The name, Tetris, comes from the Greek word for four as all seven pieces contain four blocks. This was the first entertainment software exported from USSR to the United States. Tetris helped launched Nintendo’s handheld console, the Game Boy, as the perfect game to be played on the go.
Included are a leaflet, (shown in the image), a product registration card, and a booklet of instructions.
Joe George was the Chief Engineer for the SCAMP project. Objects 1988.3146.04 through 1988.3146.11 are the workbooks he kept on the development of the project. For the resulting computer, see 1988.0681.01.
This folder contains memos and drawings for the SCAMP. Some are folded. Some are photocopies. Some are computer printouts. Those signing docunts include G.L Jarvis, Dennis Robertson, V. Kendrick, R.C. Johnson,and George A. Hellwarth.
The outside of the file is marked : MEMOS PLANS SCAMP (/) JOE GEORGE.
The front of this folder is marked: SCAMP (/) * ORIGINAL PRESENTATION (/) YELLOW SHEETS (/) *MEMOS (/) * PLANS (/) *NOTES (/) Paul J. Friedl. Included are:
1. Paul J. Friedl Travel Expense Account - January 8 1973 - Jaunuay 12 1973. (1 page)
2. SCAMP notes on yellow graph paper - 14 numbered pages, 2 additional pages - signed P.J. Friedl, dated 1/8/73 - also signed by H. G. Kelsky, witness - dated 1/8/73
3. A. document on yellow paper - 8 pages stamped "IBM CONFIDENTIAL", signed P. J. FRIEDL, dated 2/9/73 - first page reads: WHY SCAMP? (/) MOVE INTO APL PERSONAL COMPUTER (/) BUSINESS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!
B.Document on yellow graph paper - DART (/) A NEW CONCEPT FOR (/) PRODUCTING ADVANCED (/) PRODUCTS (/) - QUICKLY - P. FRIEDEL 1/11/73 - 4 pages
C. 3 additional pages
4. Document typed on white paper - IBM CONFIDENTIAL P.J. FRIEDL 2/9/73 - "WHY SCAMP?(/) MOVE INTO APL PERSONAL COMPUTER (/) BUSINESS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE - with thirteen pages of notes on yellow paper and yellow graph paper
5. Memos and correspondence on SCAMP within IBM, dates February 12, 1973 - October 9, 1973
6. further notes and memos on SCAMP and DART teams from 1973.
Joe George was the Chief Engineer for the SCAMP project. Objects 1988.3146.04 through 1988.3146.11 are the workbooks he kept on the development of the project. For the resulting computer, see 1988.0681.01. The notebooks are numbered from 1 to 8. They contain:
1988.3146.04 - Book 1 - 7/21/72-7/31/72 - mostly pre-SCAMP, PALM
1988.3146.05 - Book 2 - 12/1/72 - 2/22/73 (?) - some appear dated 12/73
1988.3146.06 - Book 3 - 2/11/73 - 4/23/73
1988.3146.07 -Book 4 - 4/24/73 - 6/27/73
1988.3146.08 - Book 5 - 6/27/73-9/14/73 (first demo of SCAMP 9/11/73)
Joe George was the Chief Engineer for the SCAMP project. Objects 1988.3146.04 through 1988.3146.11 are the workbooks he kept on the development of the project. For the resulting computer, see 1988.0681.01. The notebooks are numbered from 1 to 8. They contain:
1988.3146.04 - Book 1 - 7/21/72-7/31/72 - mostly pre-SCAMP, PALM
1988.3146.05 - Book 2 - 12/1/72 - 2/22/73 (?) - some appear dated 12/73
1988.3146.06 - Book 3 - 2/11/73 - 4/23/73
1988.3146.07 -Book 4 - 4/24/73 - 6/27/73
1988.3146.08 - Book 5 - 6/27/73-9/14/73 (first demo of SCAMP 9/11/73)
This paperbback book gives instructions for assembling and using a Heath Company device designed to teach microprocessor operation, programming, and operations. It includes two large folded sheets of illustrations. For an example of the device, see 1987.0703.01.
This is "Book 23" in Gustafson's collection of documentation on microcomputers.