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Alden W. Allen Papers, 1950-1971. Finding Aid.

Summary Information
Title: Alden W. Allen papers
Dates: 1950-1971
Creator: Allen, Alden W.
Extent: 1 box (1 cubic foot)
Language: English
Collection Number: CBI 26
Abstract:
Collection contains photographs, drawings, specifications, maintenance manuals, correspondence, memoranda, and newspaper clippings largely related to magnetic drum storage devices produced by ERA and Univac during Alden Allen's employment with ERA division of Remington Rand, later the Univac division of Sperry Rand.

Repository: Charles Babbage Institute University of Minnesota, Minneapolis

Access and Use
Acquisition Information:

The records were given to the Charles Babbage Institute by Alden W. Allen in 1986.

Access Restrictions:

Access to the collection is unrestricted.

Copyright:

The Charles Babbage Institute holds the copyright to all materials in the collection, except for items covered by a prior copyright (such as published materials). Researchers may quote from the collection under the fair use provisions of the copyright law (Title 17, U.S. Code).

Preferred Citation:

Alden W. Allen Papers (CBI 26), Charles Babbage Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.


Arrangement

The materials in this collection are arranged into the following groups:

  • Magnetic Storage Drums General Information, undated and 1951-1969
  • Specific Drum Information, undated and 1958-1963
  • Magnetic Drum Artifacts, undated
  • Miscellaneous, 1957-1977

Biographical Note

Alden Allen joined the Engineering Research Associates (ERA) division of Remington Rand (later the Univac division of Sperry Rand) in 1955 as a mechanical engineer. He was involved in the development and production of magnetic drum and thin film memory for computer systems.


Collection Scope and Content Note

The collection includes photographs, drawings, specifications, maintenance manuals, correspondence, memoranda, and newspaper clippings largely related to magnetic drum storage devices produced by ERA and Univac. In addition, the collection includes information about fixed and flying head drums, magnetic heads, and specific drum projects. The collection also contains extensive photographs of ERA and Univac drums, a maintenance manual for the Remington Rand model 46 High-Speed Printer, newspaper clippings about the company, correspondence related to Alden's employment, and publications.

Subject Terms
Index Terms
  • This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the University of Minnesota Libraries. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or places should search the catalog using these headings.
  • Allen, Alden W.
  • Engineering Research Associates.
  • Remington Rand, Inc.
  • Sperry Corporation. Univac Division.
  • Computer storage devices.
  • Magnetic drums.
  • Computer printers.
Box and Folder List
 Location  Title
 
Magnetic Storage Drums General Information, undated, 1951-1969 
Box 1
Drum data sheets and photographs, undated. Box 1, Folder 7-9
 
GE drums, correspondence, 1967-1969. Box 1, Folder 16
 
Storage drum specifications, 1120A2-1131A1, 1955-1957. Box 1, Folder 12
 
Storage drum specifications, 1100-1119, 1953-1967. Box 1, Folder 10
 
Storage drum specifications, 1100A2-1119G1, 1953-1955. Box 1, Folder 13
 
Storage drum specifications, 1120-1131A1, and Heads, 1955-1960. Box 1, Folder 11
 
Storage drum specifications, flying head drums, undated. Box 1, Folder 14
 
Storage drum specifications, flying head drums, undated. Box 1, Folder 15
 
Univac drum development list, undated. Box 1, Folder 17
 
Univac drum history, 1951-1965 [compiled 1971]. Box 1, Folder 18
 
Specific Drum Information, undated, 1958-1963. 
Box 1
Drum 220, 1962. Box 1, Folder 19
 
Drum 880, 1962-1963. Box 1, Folder 20
 
Drum 1100, undated. Box 1, Folder 21
 
Drum 1107, undated. Box 1, Folder 22
 
Drum 1110, undated. Box 1, Folder 23
 
Drum 1119, undated. Box 1, Folder 24
 
Drum 1120, undated. Box 1, Folder 25
 
Drum 1124, undated. Box 1, Folder 26
 
Drum 1125, undated. Box 1, Folder 27
 
Drum 1125D1, undated. Box 1, Folder 28
 
Drum 1131A1, 1958. Box 1, Folder 29
 
Drum 7304, Field Engineering, 1966. Box 1, Folder 30
 
FASTRAND Subsystem Specifications, undated. Box 1, Folder 31
 
Magnetic Drum Artifacts, undated. 
Box 2-3
Three flying heads, undated. Box 2-3
 
Miscellaneous, 1957-1977 
Box 1
Employment correspondence and related papers, 1955-1971. Box 1, Folder 1
 
Feature/Selection Number Directory [Sperry-Univac], 1977. Box 1, Folder 2
 
Mariner C memory project, photos and brochures, circa 1963. Box 1, Folder 3
 
News paper clippings, 1955-1960. Box 1, Folder 4
 
Preliminary maintenance manual for Remington Rand Model 46 High-Speed Printer, 1961. Box 1, Folder 5
 
"Second Thoughts on Reliability," 1964. Box 1, Folder 6