John Atanasoff
Physicist who built the first electronic digital computing device
- Lived
- 91 yrs
- 1903 – 1995
- Works listed
- 1
- Computer
- Honours
- 3
- Most recent 1990
- Profile views
- 0
- 0 followers
John Atanasoff was an American physicist of Bulgarian descent who, with his student Clifford Berry, built the Atanasoff–Berry Computer at Iowa State College between 1939 and 1942, the first electronic digital computing device. A 1973 court ruling credited his work over the ENIAC patent.
Biography
Background
Atanasoff, whose father emigrated from Bulgaria, studied electrical engineering at the University of Florida and earned a PhD in theoretical physics at the University of Wisconsin in 1930. He taught physics and mathematics at Iowa State College.
The ABC
Needing to solve large systems of equations, he decided in 1937 — after a long drive to a roadhouse in Illinois — to build an electronic machine using binary numbers, vacuum tubes for logic and capacitors for memory. With graduate student Clifford Berry he built the Atanasoff–Berry Computer between 1939 and 1942.
The patent case
John Mauchly visited Atanasoff in 1941 and saw the machine. In 1973 the case Honeywell v. Sperry Rand invalidated the ENIAC patent, ruling that its inventors had derived ideas from Atanasoff.
Later life
During and after the war he worked for the US Navy on acoustics and explosives. He received the National Medal of Technology in 1990 and the highest honours of Bulgaria. He died in 1995.
Timeline
-
1903
Born in Hamilton, New York, United States
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1930
PhD from Wisconsin
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1937
Conceives the electronic computer
-
1939
Prototype with Clifford Berry
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1941
John Mauchly visits
-
1942
ABC largely completed
-
1973
Court credits his work
-
1990
National Medal of Technology
-
1995
Died, aged 91
Notable works
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1942
Atanasoff–Berry Computer Computer
With Clifford Berry.
Awards and honours
-
Order of Cyril and Methodius
1970
-
Computer Pioneer Award
1984
-
National Medal of Technology
1990
Did you know?
-
1
He worked out the key ideas over a drink at a roadhouse after a 300-km drive.
-
2
The ABC was not programmable; it solved linear equations.
-
3
A replica of the ABC was built at Iowa State in 1997.
Connections
Related people
Frequently asked
Who is John Atanasoff?
John Atanasoff was an American physicist of Bulgarian descent who, with his student Clifford Berry, built the Atanasoff–Berry Computer at Iowa State College between 1939 and 1942, the first electronic digital computing device. A 1973 court ruling credited his work over the ENIAC patent.
When did John Atanasoff die?
John Atanasoff died on 15 June 1995 at the age of 91.
Where is John Atanasoff from?
John Atanasoff was born in Hamilton, New York, United States.
What is John Atanasoff known for?
John Atanasoff is best known for Atanasoff–Berry Computer (ABC); the ENIAC patent case.
What awards has John Atanasoff received?
Notable honours include Order of Cyril and Methodius (1970), Computer Pioneer Award (1984), National Medal of Technology (1990).
Who is John Atanasoff married to?
Partner: Clifford Berry.
References
- John Vincent Atanasoff — Wikipedia. Wikipedia. Retrieved 4 November 2026.
- John Vincent Atanasoff — Britannica. Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved 4 November 2026.
- John Vincent Atanasoff (Q314308) — structured data. Wikidata. Retrieved 4 November 2026.
Includes material from the Wikipedia article “John Vincent Atanasoff”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. That text is available under the same licence. Learn more
External links
About this profile
- Researched by the TrackFame editorial team; reviewed by Sanjay Sokal under our editorial policy
- First published 4 November 2026
- Last updated
Cite this page
“John Atanasoff.” TrackFame, last updated 4 November 2026. https://trackfame.com/person/john-atanasoff
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