Making the First Universal Computers
Eckert was delighted that von Neumann was so keenly interested
in the logical problems surrounding the new idea, and these meetings
were scenes of greatest intellectual activity.
This work on the logical plan for the new machine was exactly
to von Neumann’s liking and precisely where his previous work on
formal logics came to play a decisive role. Prior to his appearance on
the scene, the group at the Moore School concentrated primarily on
the technological problems, which were very great; after his arrival
he took over leadership on the logical problems.
8
In June 1945 John von Neumann produced his famous First Draft of a
Report on the EDVAC which, in effect, proposed that the soon-to-be-built
EDVAC be realized as