The Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer, the ENIAC, was constructed between 1943 and 1946 at the University of Pennsylvania.  It was the most powerful computer up to that point but was the largest as well, weighing over 30 tons.  Additionally it required that almost 50 vacuum tubes be replaced everyday. While operating the ENIAC used almost 150 kilowatts of power, which is equivalent to what many small towns used at that time.  The ENIAC was important because of its power, but its many drawbacks made it unrealistic for common use.  One of these drawbacks was that it had no memory. The same researchers who created the ENIAC then set out to create a similar computer that allowed for the storing of programs.

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All material and images on these pages are copyright Joseph and Ed. This page was developed for the Thinkquest1999 competition.