Project Whirlwind. Volume 7. Block Diagrams. Part 3
Abstract
Work was begun on block diagrams for a digital computer in February 1946. At that time the project was considering the use of a high-speed erasable storage using serially-read electrostatic storage tubes plus some photo-electric card readers for storing and reading orders, constants, and tables of functions. Studies were therefore made of a serial-type computer. Since high operating speeds were required for the solution of the airplane problem, a three-address code was proposed, allowing the set up of storage elements in parallel. A full high-speed whiffletree-type multiplier was proposed with non-cyclic operation resulting in a multiplication time of about 100 microseconds. Since this speed was still not great enough for a complete solution of the airplane problem, it was proposed to build two arithmetic elements; one of which would be used solely for interpolation, while the other would be used for the numerical calculations. In the fall of 1946 it was decided that an electrostatic storage tube could be developed which could be used in a parallel digit transmission system.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1947
- Accession Number
- AD0896848
Entities
People
- Harris Fahnestock
- Jay W. Forrester
- Peter D. Tilton
- Robert R. Everett
Organizations
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology