John Ivanov Atanasov John Vincent Atanasoff was an American physicist, mathematician and electrical engineer of Bulgarian origin, creator of the first digital electronic computer.

John Atanasoff was born on 4 John Atanasoff was born on 4 October 1903 a few miles west of October 1903 a few miles west of Hamilton, New York.Hamilton, New York.

His father was a Bulgarian His father was a Bulgarian immigrant named Ivan Atanasov.immigrant named Ivan Atanasov.

John Atanasoff's mother was Iva John Atanasoff's mother was Iva Lucena Purdy, a mathematics Lucena Purdy, a mathematics schoolteacher.schoolteacher.

JohnJohn is first child of ten children in is first child of ten children in family. family. After John Vincent's birth, After John Vincent's birth, his father accepted an electrical his father accepted an electrical engineering position is Osteen, engineering position is Osteen, Florida, and subsequently, in Florida, and subsequently, in Brewster, Florida. It was here that Brewster, Florida. It was here that John Atanasoff completed grade John Atanasoff completed grade schoolschool .. The Atanasoff home in The Atanasoff home in Brewster was the first house they Brewster was the first house they lived in with electricity, and John lived in with electricity, and John Atanasoff, as a 9-year-old boy Atanasoff, as a 9-year-old boy found and corrected faulty electric found and corrected faulty electric wiring in a back-porch lightwiring in a back-porch light..

Atanasoff's grade school years were very normal. He was a good student and had a youthful interest in sports, specially baseball. This interest in baseball faded when his father purchased a new Dietzgen slide rule to help him at his job; John Atanasoff became totally fascinated with it. He carefully read the instructions, and was amazed that he could get correct answers. His father soon discovered that he didn't have an immediate need for the slide rule, and it was soon forgotten by everyone except young John.He soon became interested in the mathematical principles behind the operation of the slide rule and the study of logarithms; this led to studies in trigonometric functions. With the help of his mother, he read A College Algebra, by J.M. Taylor. This book included a beginning study on differential calculus and also had a chapter on infinite series and how to calculate logarithms. Within a few months, the precocious 9-year-old had progressed beyond the point of needing help. During this time, John Atanasoff learned about number bases other than ten from his mother; this led him to study a wide range of bases, including base-two.

John Atanasoff completed the Mulberry High School course in two years, excelling in science and mathematics. He had, by then, decided he wanted to be a theoretic physicist. In 1921, he entered the University of Florida in Gainesville. Since the university did not offer a degree in theoretic physics, he started taking electrical engineering courses. While taking these courses, he became interested in electronics and continued onto higher mathematics.

John Atanasov received his bachelor's degree at the University of the Gainesville (1925), master - the State University of Iowa (1926) and Ph.D. (physico-mathematical sciences) - University of Wisconsin (1930).

In the autumn of 1930 he joined the faculty at the University as an assistant in mathematics and physics. With his academic background Atanasov feel confident to find a more efficient way to compute complex mathematical problems of his thesis. During the experiments with vacuum tubes and experiments in the field of electronics, he was promoted to associate professor in mathematics and physics. After testing many mathematical devices available at the time, Atanasoff found that they have two classes - analog and digital. Since the term "digital" then oshe is not used, notes Atanasov analog devices such as better machines for calculating.

In 1936 he began his latest attempt to construct a In 1936 he began his latest attempt to construct a small analog calculator used for the analysis of the small analog calculator used for the analysis of the geometry of surfaces. Atanasov see that this geometry of surfaces. Atanasov see that this machine has the same problems as all other analog machine has the same problems as all other analog devices, where accuracy is dependent on the work of devices, where accuracy is dependent on the work of other parts of the machine. Obsession to solve the other parts of the machine. Obsession to solve the problem so crazy in the winter of 1937problem so crazy in the winter of 1937..

One night, frustrated by the many discouraging thoughts, One night, frustrated by the many discouraging thoughts, getting on his car and drives without a specific direction. getting on his car and drives without a specific direction. After two hundred kilometers stops at a roadside After two hundred kilometers stops at a roadside restaurant in Illinois. There drink bourbon and continued restaurant in Illinois. There drink bourbon and continued thinking on the creation of the machine. After some time thinking on the creation of the machine. After some time without nerves and tension discovers that his thoughts without nerves and tension discovers that his thoughts are arranged. He starts to 'birth' ideas on how to make a are arranged. He starts to 'birth' ideas on how to make a computer. After his $ 650 grant from the State University computer. After his $ 650 grant from the State University of Iowa in March 1939, Atanasoff embarks on this of Iowa in March 1939, Atanasoff embarks on this exciting adventure. As he helped recruit good student exciting adventure. As he helped recruit good student Clifford BerryClifford Berry..

During the period 1939 - 1941, During the period 1939 - 1941, they work on creating and they work on creating and improving the ABC (Atanasoff - improving the ABC (Atanasoff - Berry Computer), as later called Berry Computer), as later called their computer. When WWII their computer. When WWII began on December 7, 1941 work began on December 7, 1941 work on the computer is broken. on the computer is broken. Although Iowa's U.S. College Although Iowa's U.S. College opening patenting their computer opening patenting their computer is never patented is never patented ..

• In 1949 he became supervisor of infantry units at Fort Monroe, Virginia. After one year he returned to Washington as director of marine programs at the Naval Defence Artillery laboratory. There is 1951 to 1952 he established The Ordnance Engineering Corporation, together with his old friend and classmate David Biichar. The company was sold to Aerojet General Corporation in 1957 and John became manager of the Atlantic Corps from 1957 to 1959 and vice president from 1959 to 1961 in 1961 to retire.

In 1974 he returned to Iowa State University In 1974 he returned to Iowa State University (the name was changed to "University" in (the name was changed to "University" in 1959) to be guest of honor and head of the 1959) to be guest of honor and head of the largest student event in the nation: Veisha. largest student event in the nation: Veisha. The acronym comes from the first letters of The acronym comes from the first letters of the disciplines at the university: Veterinary the disciplines at the university: Veterinary Medicine, Engineering, Industrial Science, Medicine, Engineering, Industrial Science, Home Economics andHome Economics and AgricultureAgriculture . The . The festival is usually attended by more than 250 festival is usually attended by more than 250 000 people. He was invited with his wife Alice 000 people. He was invited with his wife Alice and their two children Joan and John and their and their two children Joan and John and their families. families.

Vice President and Director Vice President and Director of information and public of information and public manifestations of ISU (Iowa manifestations of ISU (Iowa State University) Charles State University) Charles Hamilton begins the history Hamilton begins the history of film design of computer of film design of computer Atanasoff - Berry. The film Atanasoff - Berry. The film was completed in 1981 On was completed in 1981 On October 21, 1983October 21, 1983 (due to (due to the historic court decision the historic court decision Larson, that Iowa is the site Larson, that Iowa is the site of construction of the first of construction of the first electronic digital computer, electronic digital computer, ENIAC, and that is "derived" ENIAC, and that is "derived" from ABC)from ABC) film was film was screened during the screened during the ceremony, organized at ISU.ceremony, organized at ISU.

Of John Atanasov diploma is Of John Atanasov diploma is awarded for special merit by awarded for special merit by the association of alumni of the association of alumni of the university. Wife of the late the university. Wife of the late Cliff Berry - Berry Jane, and his Cliff Berry - Berry Jane, and his mother - Grace Berry, were mother - Grace Berry, were awarded as relatives of co-awarded as relatives of co-author ofauthor of ABCABC..

John Atanasov and Blagovest Sendov John Atanasov and Blagovest Sendov

famous Bulgarian Mathematicians famous Bulgarian Mathematicians

John Atanasov in BulgariaJohn Atanasov in BulgariaBoyadzhik 1970Boyadzhik 1970

After a long illness Atanasoff died 15 June 1995 at his home in Maryland.

Monument to John Atanasov Telephone Monument to John Atanasov Telephone Office, Sofia, Bulgaria, Office, Sofia, Bulgaria,

sculptorsculptor Valko TsenovValko Tsenov

12a 12a

SOU”Zheleznik”SOU”Zheleznik”

Stara ZagoraStara Zagora

BulgariaBulgaria

30.03.201030.03.2010