The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (30 December 2018):
Mark I
(Or "Automatic Sequence Controlled Calculator",
"ASCC") A first generation computer that was designed by
Howard Aiken of Harvard University, taking inspiration
from Charles Babbage's Analytical Engine. The Mark I, as
the Harvard University staff called it, was built by IBM
between 1939 to 1944. It was delivered to Harvard University
and became operational in March 1944.
The Mark I is considered to be the first full-sized digital
computer. It was built from clutches, relays, rotating
shafts and switches. It read its instructions from one paper
tape and data from another. It could store 72 numbers, each
of 23 decimal digits. It weighed about 4500 Kg, had 800 Km of
wiring, was used only for numeric calculations, and took three
seconds to carry out one multiplication. The IBM archives
call it the, "...industry's largest electromechanical
calculator."
One of the Mark I's first programers was John von Neumann.
The Mark I was retired in 1959, and disassembled. Parts are
archived at Harvard in the Science Center.
It was followed by the Mark II.
(1996-11-24)