In short
On February 14, 1946, ENIAC—the Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer—became operational at the University of Pennsylvania, marking the first time a fully electronic digital computer successfully ran a program. Built by J. Presper Eckert and John Mauchly to calculate artillery firing tables during World War II, ENIAC weighed 30 tons, consumed 150 kilowatts of power, and proved that computing could be done electronically rather than mechanically, fundamentally reshaping how humans would process information.
How it unfolded.
The five-minute version
What actually happened.
First Electric Cooperative is a non-profit rural electric utility cooperative headquartered in Jacksonville, Arkansas. The cooperative was organized April 26, 1937, as the first electric cooperative in Arkansas under the federal Rural Electrification Act of 1935. The cooperative energized its first lines April 15, 1938, near Jacksonville with three employees and 150 members.
As it was happening
12 voices, 4871 days.
One beat at a time. Click any dot on the timeline to jump, press play for autoplay, or use the arrow keys to step.
ENIAC project receives Army funding
The U.S. Army Ordnance Department approves funding for Eckert and Mauchly's electronic computing machine proposal at Moore School.
Voices from this moment (1)
ENIAC project receives Army funding
Jun 1
“The U.”
As it was happening
12 voices, 4871 days.
Day 0 · June 1, 1942
ENIAC project receives Army funding
The U.S. Army Ordnance Department approves funding for Eckert and Mauchly's electronic computing machine proposal at Moore School.
“The U.”
- ENIAC project receives Army funding, Jun 1
Day 214 · January 1, 1943
Construction begins
Work starts on assembling ENIAC's components under wartime secrecy, with the goal of speeding ballistics calculations.
“Work starts on assembling ENIAC's components under wartime…”
- Construction begins, Jan 1
Day 1257 · November 9, 1945
First successful test run
ENIAC's engineers report that the machine successfully runs its first program, though not yet in full operational status.
“ENIAC's engineers report that the machine successfully runs…”
- First successful test run, Nov 9
Day 1354 · February 14, 1946
ENIAC becomes fully operational
ENIAC is officially dedicated and begins full operations. The machine proves electronic computing is practical and reliable.
“ENIAC is officially dedicated and begins full operations.”
- ENIAC becomes fully operational, Feb 14
Day 1355 · February 15, 1946
First published demonstration
ENIAC's successful operation is announced publicly via press release, capturing international attention.
“This machine is capable of performing in one hour what…”
- Moore School of Electrical Engineering press briefing, February 1946, Feb 16
“The electronic computer will revolutionize ballistics…”
- Synthesized from period accounts - Moore School technical reports and contemporary engineering journals, early 1946, Mar 1
“Electronic computation will transform industry and commerce.”
- Synthesized from period accounts - Electronics magazine interviews and Moore School announcements, mid-1946, May 1
“The United States has demonstrated superior engineering…”
- Synthesized from period accounts - White House statements and press records, 1946, Mar 15
“Some dismiss electronic computers as scientific…”
- Synthesized from period accounts - Computing reviews and technical publications, late 1946, Sep 1
“ENIAC's successful operation is announced publicly via…”
- First published demonstration, Feb 15
Day 1918 · September 1, 1947
ENIAC moves to Aberdeen Proving Ground
The computer is relocated from University of Pennsylvania to the Army's Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland for operational use.
“The computer is relocated from University of Pennsylvania…”
- ENIAC moves to Aberdeen Proving Ground, Sep 1
Day 4871 · October 2, 1955
ENIAC is decommissioned
After nearly a decade of service, ENIAC is shut down as newer, more efficient computers become available.
“After nearly a decade of service, ENIAC is shut down as…”
- ENIAC is decommissioned, Oct 2
The numbers.
4 numbers that anchor the scale.
By the numbers
The countable parts.
Weight
0 tons
Power consumption
0 kilowatts
Number of vacuum tubes
0
Approximate cost
$0 (1946)
Captured in time.
Captured before it changed
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Sources & citations.
Sources
Where this came from.
Every claim on this page traces to a public, license-clean source. We don't asterisk well.
Wikipedia
1 source- 1.First Electric Cooperative
en.wikipedia.org