Computer Center, The

Computer Center, The, was established in 1962 under Electrical Engineering Professor Edward J. McCluskey, Jr. Located in the Engineering Quadrangle, the first computer was an IBM 7090. Serving primarily the scientific and engineering communities, the computer was enlarged, replaced, and enlarged again to accommodate the rapidly growing demand for service. McCluskey was succeeded as director by Roald Buhler in 1966. Under Buhler's direction, the University, with generous support from the National Science Foundation, built the current Computer Center building at 87 Prospect Avenue, behind Stevenson Hall. Installed in the new building in 1969 was an IBM 360/91, one of the largest and fastest scientific computers available at the time. Buhler stepped down in 1970 yielding the reins to the current director, Dr. James F. Poage '55.

Although designed for research use, the IBM 360/91 also proved adequate to the task of providing service to students and administrators. Convenient remote job entry stations located in various buildings around the campus allow the users to submit work and receive results without traveling to the Computer Center. Princeton joined the modern world of time-sharing in 1975 when it acquired an IBM 370/158. Now users can employ the computer to obtain answers to extremely complex problems almost instantaneously. Graphics terminals are available that plot results immediately on video screens. At the push of a button a printed copy of the plot can be obtained. No longer is it necessary to tediously plot results in a laboratory notebook.

For the individual user, the computers are fun and exciting; for the University, they are indispensable tools in today's research, instruction, and administration .

James F. Poage

From Alexander Leitch, A Princeton Companion, copyright Princeton University Press (1978).