Harvard Mark II

High school (ages 12+)
Science & Technology

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/harvard-mark-ii

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. When was Harvard Mark II built?1947
2. What is the machine type?Electromechanical computer
3. What is the primary construction site?Harvard University
4. How did the Mark II do calculations?It used electromechanical relays that opened and closed to represent 0s and 1s. These relays performed logical operations to solve equations.
5. Why did the Navy want the Mark II?The Navy needed fast, accurate ballistic calculations for ships and submarines. The Mark II could do those tasks quickly and reliably.

Electromechanical Computer: A computing device that utilizes both electrical and mechanical components, such as relays, to perform calculations.
Relay: An electrically operated switch that uses an electromagnet to control one or more poles of a switch.
Ballistics: The scientific study of the motion of projectiles, including their trajectory, velocity, and impact.
Computer Pioneer: An individual who made foundational contributions to the development and understanding of computing technology.