John Presper Eckert, Jr.Born: 1919 Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pa.
ENIAC data translating device—Engineers Eckert and Mauchly
invented ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator),
the first multipurpose computer, whose completion in 1945
heralded the dawn of the electronic era and provided a prototype
for later computers. Although far less powerful than handheld
calculators today, in its time ENIAC set speed records with more
than 5,000 additions per second. ENIAC weighed about 30 tons,
filled an 1,800-square-foot room, and included 6,000 manual
switches. (2002)Died: 1995 Fact Monster/Information Please®
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