Computer History 'Engineering Research Associates' ERA 1101 UNIVAC Cryptology 1946 Sperry Rand NSA

Vintage Computer History; Cryptology; Navy Intelligence: This unique presentation provides an introduction to the origin and history of ENGINEERING RESEARCH ASSOCIATES (“ERA”) a pioneering and influential computer company founded in Minnesota in 1946. Formed and staffed by former members of the U.S. Navy’s top secret communications intelligence organization known as OP-20-G, it was instrumental in helping to advance the digital computer age.
In July 1946, the Navy communications intelligence authority formed a specialized organization called the Communications Supplementary Activity (CSA). Members of that group, formed ERA, which later joined Remington Rand Univac (Sperry, now UNISYS). Their groundbreaking engineering resulted in the rotating magnetic drum memory and other advancements, making it a forerunner of many of today’s modern computers. The history and legacy of ERA, continuing up to the present, is a fascinating story of technological innovations and contributions to the computer industry.
Uploaded by the Computer History Archives Project (CHAP). Editing/compilation: CHAP; modern narration: James Izzo; Sperry narration: Mark Greenberg.

With Very Special Thanks to:
Mr. Tony Buglione
Manager External Communications & Media Relations
UNISYS Corporation

Lowell Benson
VIP Club P.O. Box 131748
Roseville, MN 55113-0020
* * The VIP Club is designed for retirees and former employees of Unisys,
Lockheed Martin, and their predecessor companies (e.g., ERA, Univac, Sperry, Remington Rand, Burroughs). You are invited to take a look at their Membership page and the Benefits of joining!

Don Weidenbach
VIP Club (& former ERA engineer)

Amanda Wick, Interim Archivist
Charles Babbage Institute Archives
University of Minnesota Libraries
Minneapolis, MN

Angela Schad, Reference Archivist, Digital Archives Specialist
Audiovisual Collections & Digital Initiatives
Hagley Museum and Library
Wilmington, Delaware

Dag Spicer, Senior Curator
Computer History Museum
Mountain View, California

Other References and Sources:
Ed Thelen, Computer History site

U.S. Library of Congress

U.S. National Archives

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Keyterms:
ERA 1101
ERA 1103
CSAW
Cryptanalysis
Cryptology
Naval Intelligence
NSA CIA
Digital Computing
Magnetic drum memory
UNIVAC 1103A
Code breaking
Enigma
OP-20-G
Joseph Wenger
William C. Norris
Howard Engstrom
Ralph Meader
St. Paul, Minnesota

[headpox]

Thanks, CHA, for another fantastic insight into the history of computers. Keep up the good work !!

[WalterFabian]

Thanks for another invaluable historical document. Enjoyed it a lot as usual. (BTW: Beautiful ending music!)

[informalzombie]

Is amazing that technology was being developed in the 40's, thanks for another great video 👍!

[eliotmansfield]

My dad worked at a company with the same name in dunstable - England. But they did actual metal engineering.

[synthc]

i love it !!! thank so much from Lma Peru

[puppetbirds]

I need the music to this video it’s really good

[GH-oijf]

Norris went on to found Control Data Corp.

[MrGTO-zevb]

Nothing like tubes ...LOL.. I worked for ISS Sperry Univac in San Jose 1980-1982