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Chapter 18
Electronic Computers
Determining when, where, and by whom the rst electronic digital com-
puter was invented is a daunting task as described by A. R. Burks, the
author of Who Invented the Computer? [1]. e history of this revolution-
ary development is surrounded by the events of World War II and clouded
by the secrecy required by advanced-level military research. e race to
decode enemy communications, to develop reliable ballistic tables, and
to build the rst rockets and warheads brought together some of the most
brilliant mathematicians and engineers of the 20th century. eir work,
sometimes in collaboration, while at other times ...