Automatic Digital Calculators.

BOOTH, Andrew Donald, & Kathleen Hylda Valerie.

Published by London: Butterworths Scientific Publications, 1953

About this Item

First edition, first impression, of this informative work by the programmers of the first assembly language. The Booths were members of the Birkbeck computer group and associates of John von Neumann. This work examines the construction of automatic calculators and their historical context, before suggesting possible future applications, including a discussion of machine learning. Automatic Digital Calculators follows the Booths' groundbreaking 1947 work, Coding for A.R.C., which proposed an assembly code which could be converted into an executable machine code by an "assembler" utility programme. Between 1947 and 1953 they built three machines utilizing this language: the Automatic Relay Calculator, Simple Electronic Computer, and All-purpose Electric (X) Computer. Andrew (1918-2009) is additionally known for his development of "Booth's multiplication algorithm", an important element of computer architecture. Kathleen (1922-2022) is notable for her research on neural networks which led to programmes which successfully simulate how animals recognize patterns. Octavo. Half-tone frontispiece, 3 plates, diagrams within text. Original green boards, spine and front cover lettered in gilt, publisher's device in gilt to front cover. With dust jacket. Spine ends bruised, boards clean, gilt bright, foxing to edges and contents; jacket unclipped, spine lightly toned, a handful of nicks to extremities including spine ends, short closed tear at head of front joint: a near-fine copy in near-fine jacket.

Seller Inventory # 172689

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Automatic Digital Calculators.
• Publisher: London: Butterworths Scientific Publications, 1953
• Edition: 1st Edition