Iowa State University


Inside Iowa State
June 5, 1998

ABC replica has extended stay in Des Moines

by Skip Derra

It might not be Miss Saigon, but it does have an interesting stage presence.

The ABC replica will be in Des Moines for an extended stay this summer. The authentic working replica of the Atanasoff- Berry Computer will be at the State Historical Society of Iowa, from June 17 to Sept. 27. Kicking off the exhibit will be an alumni reception at 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 17.

"We are excited to have the replica make a temporary home at the State Historical Society because it is an integral piece of Iowa history," said vice president for external affairs Murray Blackwelder.

The original ABC was invented by physics and mathematics professor John Atanasoff and his graduate student Clifford Berry from 1939 to 1942, but never patented. The replica was constructed by a team of scientists, technicians and students at Ames Laboratory.

Since it was unveiled last October in Washington, D.C., the replica has been touring Iowa, with stops in Mason City, Ames, Dubuque, Cedar Rapids, the Quad Cities, Sioux City, Waterloo, Ottumwa and Spencer.

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