Howard (Hathaway) Aiken

Mathematician and computer engineer, born in Hoboken, New Jersey, USA. He studied at Wisconsin and Chicago Universities, then moved to Harvard (1939–61), where he built the Automatic Sequence-Controlled Calculator (ASCC), or Harvard Mark I, the world's first program-controlled calculator (completed in 1943). An early form of digital computer, it was controlled by both mechanical and electrical devices. Mark II was built in 1947. On retiring from Harvard he taught at the University of Miami (1961–73).

Howard Hathaway Aiken (March 9, 1900, Hoboken, New Jersey–March 14, 1973, St. Louis, Missouri) was a pioneer in computing, being the primary engineer behind IBM's Harvard Mark I computer. This computer was originally called the Automatic Sequence Controlled Calculator (ASCC) and later renamed Harvard Mark I. In 1947, Aiken completed his work on the Harvard Mark II computer. He continued his work on the Mark III and the Harvard Mark IV. The Mark III used some electronic components and the Mark IV was all-electronic. The Mark III and Mark IV used magnetic drum memory and the Mark IV also had magnetic core memory. He is supposed to have said (in 1947): "Only six electronic digital computers would be required to satisfy the computing needs of the entire United States."

In 1970, Aiken received IEEE's Edison Medal 'For a meritorious career of pioneering contributions to the development and application of large-scale digital computers and important contributions to education in the digital computer field.'

Howard Aiken was also an Officer in the United States Naval Reserve.