The book tells the unique story of WEIZAC, an early computer built by a “new nation” in the early 1950s. It was created in Israel, even though the feasibility of this project was actually close to null when it was initially conceived, in 1946, and, unlike most of the early computer projects, was privately financed mainly by the Jewish world community. The book draws on a wealth of documents and historical insights to reveal the processes and powers that led to the successful completion of the project and, as well as its actual impact on scientific activities in Israel, and on the rise of a local computing community. Based on archival data, the book shows how a synergy of personal dedication together with an organizational and national mission that links the Zionist vision with science and technology for the Jewish people helped to achieve a well-defined goal. The book offers intriguing insights and refreshing perspectives to all readers interested in the Zionist movement or in the history of computing.
Author(s): Leo Corry, Raya Leviathan
Series: SpringerBriefs in History of Science and Technology
Publisher: Springer
Year: 2019
Language: English
Pages: 116
Tags: Science, Technology, History Of Computing
Preface and Acknowledgements......Page 7
Contents......Page 10
Commonly Used Abbreviations and Acronyms......Page 11
1 Introduction......Page 12
2.1 EDVAC and the Stored-Program Architecture—The Early Years of Electronic Computing......Page 16
2.2 Chaim Weizmann: Reputable Scientist and Zionist Leader......Page 22
2.3 Creating an Institute in Rehovot (1934–1949)......Page 27
2.4 Pekeris, Applied Mathematics, Mathematical Brains......Page 36
References......Page 44
3 The WEIZAC Challenge: Building an Electronic Brain in Rehovot......Page 48
3.1 The Institutional Challenge: Promoting an Unlikely Technological Project......Page 49
3.2 The Human Challenge: Putting Together a Team......Page 57
3.3 The Material Challenge: The Lab, the Components, the Budget......Page 63
3.4 The Magnetic Core Memory Challenge......Page 69
3.5 The Implementation Challenge: Building and Operating WEIZAC......Page 73
3.6 The Scientific Challenge: The Early Impact of WEIZAC......Page 80
References......Page 91
4 Concluding Remarks: WEIZAC as a Zionist Success Story......Page 93
References......Page 103
Appendix B: Scientific Publications Based on Calculations with WEIZAC (Total: 65)......Page 105
Appendix C: Timeline of Events......Page 111
Bibliography......Page 113
Index......Page 114
