1-22-98

Contact:
Skip Derra, News Service, (515) 294-4917


ISU PRESIDENT JISCHKE AND ABC REPLICA IN CEDAR RAPIDS

AMES, Iowa -- Iowa State University President Martin Jischke and the Atanasoff-Berry Computer replica will be in Cedar Rapids on Wednesday, Jan. 28. Jischke has several speaking engagements in the Cedar Rapids area. The ABC replica is on display at the Iowa Science Station, Jan 19 - 29.

On Jan. 28, Jischke will speak to the 1998 Iowa Conservation & Ag Technology Show at the Crown Plaza/Five Seasons at 11:15 a.m. He also will speak to the Cedar Rapids West Rotary at noon, at the Crown Plaza/Five Seasons. Jischke will discuss the role ISU plays in Iowa's economic development. At 2 p.m., Jischke will visit Marion High School and speak to students.

The authentic working replica of the Atanasoff-Berry Computer (ABC), the first electronic digital computer, is on display at the Iowa Science Station. There will be an ISU Alumni Association reception at the Science Station from 5-7 p.m., Jan. 28.

The original ABC was invented by John Atanasoff and Clifford Berry at Iowa State during 1939-42. Work on the original ABC was interrupted by World War II. The ABC was never patented and eventually scavenged for parts. The replica was built to honor Atanasoff and Berry. The replica was constructed over the past three years by a team of scientists, technicians and students at Ames Laboratory, a U.S. Department of Energy facility at Iowa State.

Cedar Rapids is the fourth stop on the replica's Iowa tour. It has been displayed in Ames, Ottumwa and Dubuque. Its formal unveiling was Oct. 8 at the National Press Club in

Washington, D.C. Other Iowa stops for the replica include the Quad Cities, Waterloo and Sioux City.

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Revised 1/22/98