In 1945 IBM published a brochure
summarizing the history of the ASCC's development, outlining
its basic operations and listing its various components
and performance. The following is an extract from that
brochure.
The IBM Automatic Sequence Controlled Calculator, an algebraic mechanism employing a unique automatic sequence control, is designed to solve, rapidly and accurately, practically any known problem in applied mathematics.
When a problem is presented to the sequence control in coded tape form, it will carry out solutions accurate to 23 significant figures, consulting logarithmic and other functional tables stored in the machine or coded on tapes. Its powers are not strictly limited since its use will suggest further developments of the mechanisms incorporated.
The machine is of light weight, trim appearance: a steel frame, 51 feet long and 8 feet high, bearing an interlocking panel of small gears, counters, switches, and control circuits.
When in operation in the soundproofed Computation Laboratory, the calculator is so light and so finely geared that it makes no more noise than a few typewriters.
The new calculator is not designed for a specific purpose, but is a generalized machine that will do virtually any mathematical problem.
Among the many problems treated are: (1) computation and tabulation
of functions; (2) evaluation of integrals; (3) solution
of ordinary differential equations: (4) solution of
simultaneous linear algebraic equations; (5) harmonic
analysis; (6) statistical analysis. When this calculator returns to civilian use, it will be of the
greatest importance in astronomy, atomic physics, radio
research, investigations of the ionosphere, actuarial
work, optics, and electronics. Many mathematical functions
defined by infinite series or other infinite processes
useful in physics, chemistry, engineering, and pure
mathematics await tabulation. The apparatus will quickly
solve statistical problems in which the manual labor
has been enormous. It will enable statisticians to work
with many more variables than hitherto has been possible.
It will be the key to the solution of differential equations,
the evaluation of integrals, and all phases of applied
mathematics, yielding a speed and accuracy formerly
beyond belief.
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