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MADDIDA

Commercial Computer

MADDIDA, the Magnetic Drum Digital Differential Analyzer, was a special-purpose digital computer for solving systems of ordinary differential equations, the first computer to represent bits with voltage levels and to have its entire logic specified in Boolean algebra. Invented by Floyd Steele and developed at Northrop Aircraft Corporation between 1946 and 1949, it was originally intended as a guidance system for the Snark missile, but no guidance system resulted and it was used instead for aeronautical research; in 1952 it became the world's top-selling commercial digital computer, with six units sold.

Facts
Year
1949 1
Significance
First computer to represent bits using voltage levels and to have its entire logic specified in Boolean algebra; became the world's top-selling commercial digital computer in 1952, with six units sold. 1
Status
Status
Discontinued 1
FAQs

Was MADDIDA built from mechanical parts like earlier differential analyzers?

No. It was entirely electronic and held its integrators on a small magnetic drum.

No. The Engineering and Technology History Wiki describes MADDIDA as entirely electronic, with the information for 44 electronic integrators held on tracks on a small magnetic drum.
Connections

In Field

Computer Architecture, Fields
Source Magnetic Drum Digital Differential Analyzer, Wikipedia
In the Other Atlases

Developed By

Northrop

Also in Business Atlas: the developer of this subject.

Sources
1. Magnetic Drum Digital Differential Analyzer, Wikipedia
  • Infobox: release_date
    1949
  • Lead paragraph, sentence 2
    It was the first computer to represent bits using voltage levels and whose entire logic was specified in Boolean algebra.
  • Lead sentence
    MADDIDA (Magnetic Drum Digital Differential Analyzer) was a special-purpose digital computer used for solving systems of ordinary differential equations.
  • In Field: Computer Architecture, Lead paragraph
  • In Group: Analog and Special-Purpose Computers, Lead
    The MADDIDA (Magnetic Drum Digital Differential Analyzer) was a special-purpose digital computer used for solving systems of ordinary differential equations.
View the Source
Wikidata: Magnetic Drum Digital Differential Analyzer
Wikidata Q6731468, resolved via en.wikipedia pageprops (wave rule R-L)View the Source
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