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Control Data Corporation Records, 1946-1991. Finding Aid.

Summary Information
Title: Control Data Corporation records
Dates: 1946-1991
Creator: Control Data Corporation.
Extent: approximately 500 boxes (approximately 350 cubic feet)
Language: English
Collection Number: CBI 80
Abstract:
The Control Data Corporation Records documents the company's operations, goals, plans, and products from its inception in 1957 to 1992.

Repository: University of Minnesota Libraries. Charles Babbage Institute.

Access and Use
Acquisition Information:

The majority of the records were given to the Charles Babbage Institute by the Ceridian Corporation in 1991.

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:

Control Data Corporation Records (CBI 80), Charles Babbage Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.


Arrangement

The collection is arranged into 28 series:


Historical Note

The Control Data Corporation was incorporated in Minnesota on 8 July 1957 to produce high-speed, scientific computers. The company was headed by William C. Norris, who had been central to the success of Engineering Research Associates, Inc., a St. Paul electronics firm that was responsible for producing Minnesota’s first digital computer. Control Data grew to become one of the top ten computer manufacturers in the world; it produced among the fastest computers of their day, including the CDC 6600, designed by Seymour Cray and generally considered the first supercomputer. The company became known for its agressive acquisition of other firms, culminating in the purchase of Commercial Credit Corporation in 1967. The company continued its growth until the 1980s when a number of factors began deteriorate Control Data’s position in the industry. In 1986, William Norris resigned as CEO. By 1992 the company had split into two firms: Ceridian Corporation and Control Data Systems, Inc.


Collection Scope and Content Note

The Control Data Corporation Records documents the company's operations, goals, plans, and products from its inception in 1957 to 1992, and includes information about CDC's corporate philosophy and long-time president and CEO (1957-1986), William C. Norris.

Researchers should note that when CDC donated its corporate archives to the University of Minnesota in 1991, attorneys withheld several files for further review. These remain gaps in the collection. The collection is also lacking in its documentation from the last five to ten years of the company's operation.

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.
  • Norris, William C., 1911-
  • Control Data Corporation -- History -- Sources.
  • Control Data Corporation -- Photograph collections.
  • Computer industry -- United States -- History.
  • Computers -- United States -- History.