Clifford E. Berry
From Rofflehaus
Clifford E. Berry (April 19, 1918 – October 30, 1963) helped John Vincent Atanasoff create the first digital electronic computer in 1939 — the Atanasoff Berry Computer (ABC).
Berry was born in Gladbrook, Iowa to Fred Gordon Berry and Grace Strohm and was the oldest of 4 children: Clifford, Keith, Frederick, and Barbara. Berry's father was the first to own a radio in Gladbrook and supervised Berry's construction of a ham radio when he was eleven. Also when Berry was eleven, the Berry family moved to Marengo so that Fred Berry could accept a position for the Iowa Power Company. During Berry's sophomore year of high school, his father was shot by a disgruntled employee after being fired. The Berry family remained in Marengo until Berry finished school and then the family moved to Ames so that Berry could study electrical engineering.
Berry received his BS in electrical engineering in 1939. While a graduate student in physics, professor Hardold Anderson recommended Berry to John Vincent Atanasoff for a computer-machine project because Anderson had been impressed with Berry's work as an undergraduate. During the spring of 1939, Berry and Atanasoff had their first meeting to discuss the project. They continued from this discussion on building a prototype for an electronic digital computer which was successfully demonstrated in December 1939. The Iowa State College Research Council granted the two an $850 grant to continue with the project and build a full-sized machine, which became the Atanasoff Berry Computer.
Berry finished his MS in physics in 1941 and later married Martha Reed, secretary to Atanasoff, on May 30, 1942 in Ames. The newlyweds moved to Pasadena, California so that Berry could work for the Consolidated Engineering Corporation. While there, Berry finished his PhD in physics through special arrangements with ISU with a thesis entitled "The Effects of Initial Energies on Mass Spectra." During his stay with CEC until October 1963, Berry became the Chief Physicist in 1949; Assistant Director of Research in 1952; and Director of Engineering of the Analytical and Control Division in 1959.
Berry accept a position with Vacuum-Electronics Corporation in Plainview, New York but died before his family could join him.
[edit] Memberships
- American Physical Society
- American Vacuum Society
- American Association for the Advancement of Science
- Sigma Xi
- Eta Kappa Nu
- Pi Mu Epsilon
- Phi Kappa Phi
