Goldstine, Herman H. (Herman Heine), 1913-2004

Herman Heine Goldstine was a professor of mathematics (University of Chicago, 1936-1939; University of Michigan, 1939-1950) and was involved in the early development of the computer during World War II and the 1950s. He continued to publish on the history of these subjects. He has held many administrative positions in scientific research with International Business Machines Corporation, namely, Director of Mathematical Sciences, Research (1958-1960); Director of Scientific Development, IBM Research (1960-1965); Director of Scientific Development, Data Processing Division (1965-1967); and Consultant to Director of Research (1967-1969). He continues as a IBM Fellow (1969- ) and a Permanent Member of the Institute for Advanced Study (1952- ).

From the guide to the Herman Heine Goldstine papers, [ca. 1940s]-1984, Circa [1940s] -1984, (American Philosophical Society)

Associate director of the Institute for Advanced Study (IAS) computer project from 1945-1956.

From the description of Oral history interview with Herman Heine Goldstine, 1980 Aug. 11. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 63306912

Herman Heine Goldstine was a professor of mathematics (University of Chicago, 1936-1939; University of Michigan, 1939-1950) and was involved in the early development of the computer during World War II and the 1950s. He has continued to publish on the history of these subjects. He has held many administrative positions in scientific research with International Business Machines Corporation, namely, Director of Mathematical Sciences, Research (1958-1960); Director of Scientific Development, IBM Research (1960-1965); Director of Scientific Development, Data Processing Division (1965-1967); and Consultant to Director of Research (1967-1969). He continues as a IBM Fellow (1969- ) and a Permanent Member of the Institute for Advanced Study (1952- ).

From the description of Papers, [ca. 1940s]-1984. (American Philosophical Society Library). WorldCat record id: 122689512

Computer scientist.

From the description of Oral history interview with Herman Heine Goldstine, 1981 Dec. 2. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 63288490

From the description of Oral history interview with Herman Heine Goldstine, 1985 Mar. 22. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 63283808

Mathematician, was intimately involved in the design and development of the first electronic computers.

From the description of The Herman H. Goldstine collection, 1941-1971. (Hampshire College). WorldCat record id: 17554894

Herman H. Goldstine (b. Chicago, 1913- ), mathematician, was intimately involved in the design and development of the first electronic computers. Educated at the University of Chicago, he received his B.S. (1933), M.S. (1934), and Ph.D. (1936) in mathematics.

Upon entering the U.S. Army in 1942 he headed the Ordnance Department's substation located at the University of Pennsylvania's Moore School of Electrical Engineering. The research done there in connection with the Ordnance Ballistic Research Laboratories, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, led to the development of the first electronic digital computer, ENIAC (electronic numerical integrator and computer), and the next one, EDVAC (electronic discrete variable computer).

As the world's first electronic digital computer, ENIAC led the computer field during the period 1949 through 1952. Originally the major instrument for the computation of all ballistic tables for the U.S. Army and Air Force, it surpassed all other existing computers in solving problems involving a large number of arithmetic operations. In addition to ballistics, the ENIAC's field of application eventually included weather prediction, atomic-energy calculations, cosmic-ray studies, thermal ignition, random number studies, wind-tunnel design, and other scientific uses. By 1955, however, ENIAC was no longer competitive from an economic point of view and its power was removed.

After leaving the Army in 1945 Dr. Goldstine joined the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton University as an appointed member of the School of Mathematics in 1946. He collaborated with John von Neumann on the development of a computer built there as Assistant Project Director (1946-1955) and acting Project Director (1954-1957) of the electronic computer project.

In March of 1958 he joined IBM as a member of the Research Planning staff and became director of scientific development at the Data Processing Division. In December of 1967 he was appointed Consultant to the Director of Research.

In 1972 Dr. Goldstine published a book entitled The Computer from Pascal to von Neumann (Princeton University Press). Dr. Goldstine died in 2004.

From the guide to the Herman H. Goldstine Collection MG1., 1941-1971, 1943-1948, (Hampshire College Archives)