Social Science - Quiz 10 - Pg. 24-26

Why did J. Presper Eckert and John Mauchly leave their university jobs?

• They believed the university did not have the supplies or funds to create their ideas.

• They received lucrative job offers from large companies.

• They wanted to commercialize their creations.

• They felt too much pressure to build the EDVAC under a tight deadline.

• They wanted more freedom in their design of the EDVAC.

Answer explanation

J. Presper Eckert and John Mauchly left the University of Pennsylvania only a few weeks after the unveiling of the ENIAC because of disputes over patent rights. The university maintained that employees should transfer ownership of their inventions to the school while Eckert and Mauchly wanted to commercialize their inventions. [24,1]

Which of the following companies originally tried to hire J. Presper Eckert and John Mauchly?

• IBM

• Remington Rand

• Texas Instruments

• Bell Labs

• Bendix

Answer explanation

When J. Presper Eckert and Mauchly left the University of Pennsylvania, IBM immediately offered them jobs in an attempt to get a foothold in the early computer industry. [24,2]

J. Presper Eckert and John Mauchly originally named their business the

• United States Computer Corporation

• Mechanical Computer Company

• Computer Company of Philadelphia

• Universal Electronics Company

• Electronic Control Company

Answer explanation

J. Presper Eckert and John Mauchly originally named their business the Electronic Control Company, but later changed the name to the Eckert-Mauchly Computer Corporation. [24,2]

EMCC sold the UNIVAC with a

• aleatory contract

• time-and-materials contract

• fixed-price contract

• cost-plus-developmental contract

• indefinite-delivery contract

Answer explanation

Rather than a cost-plus-developmental contract, which guarantees a profit, EMCC sold the UNIVAC and BINAC computers using fixed-price contracts, which drove them into near bankruptcy. [24,3]

In order to develop the UNIVAC, EMCC spent about

• $1,000,000

• $600,000

• $700,000

• $800,000

• $900,000

Answer explanation

Although EMCC offered the UNIVAC at a fixed price of $270,000, it cost them $900,000 to develop it in the end. [25,0]

Which of the following companies ordered the BINAC?

• Piper Aircraft

• Northrup Aircraft Company

• the Fairchild Corporation

• the Boeing Company

• the Lockheed Martin Corporation

Answer explanation

The BINAC, completed in 1949, was sold to the Northrup Aircraft Company as a way to bring in more revenue while the company produced the UNIVAC. [25,1]

EMCC sold the BINAC for

• $200,000

• $500,000

• $400,000

• $100,000

• $300,000

Answer explanation

Although the BINAC cost EMCC about $280,000 to produce, they sold it to the Northrup Aircraft Company for a mere $100,000. [25,1]

Which of the following computers did NOT work upon delivery?

• the BINAC

• the EDVAC

• the UNIVAC

• the ENIAC

• the EDSAC

Answer explanation

For unknown reasons, the BINAC did not function after delivery to the Northrup Aircraft Company, even though EMCC had previously tested it internally to make sure it worked. [25,2]

To obtain more cash, J. Presper Eckert and John Mauchly FIRST offered a majority stake in EMCC to

• Bell Labs

• IBM

• Texas Instruments

• Bendix

• Remington Rand

Answer explanation

In order to pay their massive debts, J. Presper Eckert and John Mauchly first offered IBM a majority stake in EMCC but were turned down. [25,3]

Which of the following executives negotiated the deal to buy EMCC?

• Vincent Learson

• James Rand Jr.

• W.F. Merrill

• Thomas Watson Sr.

• Frank T. Carey

Answer explanation

Due to massive debts, J. Presper Eckert and John Mauchly negotiated a deal with James Rand Jr., the president of the Remington Rand company, to sell EMCC to Remington Rand. [25,3]