ILLIAC 1

ILLIAC I (Illinois Automatic Computer), a pioneering computer, made in 1952 by the University of Illinois, was the first computer for educational purposes.

ILLIAC I was based on the von Neumann architecture of the Institute for Advanced Studies (IAS), edited by the mathematician John von Neumann. Unlike other processors of that era, ILLIAC I and ORDVAC were copies of the same design, and exchanged software. The computer had 2,800 tubes, measuring 3m x 0.6m x 2.6m (Lg × A × High), and weighed 4.5 t.

ILLIAC I was very powerful for its time; in 1956 it still had more computational power than all Bell Labs.

Because the life of the tubes was one year, the machine was in "preventive maintenance" so the older tubes were replaced to increase their work. The machine was withdrawn in 1962, when the ILLIAC II was operational. Innovations

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