================================ "Minnesota's Hidden History in Computing: Origins in the Engineering Research Associates" October 8th, 7-8 pm Andersen Library 120 (West Bank) Charles Babbage Institute University of Minnesota Minneapolis MN 55455 Did a Minnesota start-up company create the country’s first stored-program computer? This informal evening talk, the second in a year-long series of public lectures given by staff at the Charles Babbage Institute, examines the pioneering Engineering Research Associates. Organized in 1946, this St. Paul company was a seed-bed of innovative technologies and computer designs. ERA also helped create the modern computer industry, evolving into the Univac Division of Sperry-Rand as well as spinning off the notable Control Data Corporation. This talk surveys ERA’s accomplishments and discusses its legacy in shaping modern computing. Each of these monthly lectures, on Wednesday evenings, will explore a specific topic or company. We invite members of the public and university community to attend and learn more about Minnesota's "hidden history" in computing. This evening, free reprint copies of the landmark ERA volume, High-Speed Computing Devices (1950), will be available. For more information: www.cbi.umn.edu or 612-624-5050 ================================ -- Thomas J. Misa Director, Charles Babbage Institute 211 Andersen Library 222 - 21st Avenue South University of Minnesota Minneapolis, MN 55455 612 624.5050 tel 612 625.8054 fax http://www.cbi.umn.edu Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Program for History of Science, Technology & Medicine ===========================================================