The ORDVAC [includes discussion]

THE ORDVAC is a general purpose machine which has been built by the University of Illinois, IL, USA, for the Ballistic Research Laboratories at Aberdeen, Maryland. The design has followed in a general way that of the computing machine discussed by Burks, Goldstine, and von Neumann in the "Preliminary Discussion of the Logical Design of an Electronic Computing Instrument" issued in 1946 by the Institute for Advanced Study. Design considerations are detailed. The work on the ORDVAC started in the spring of 1949 and has been supported by a contract from the Ordnance Department for $250,000. The University of Illinois has provided a comparable sum which is to lead to a second machine. The Ordnance contract was concluded on October 31, 1951 and since that time the ORDV AC has been under test. It is currently expected that it will be moved to the Ballistic Research Laboratories at Aberdeen about February 1952. Its presence at the University until then allows a further understanding of its operation and use, and aids in the work on the machine for the University of Illinois.