COMPUTER DEVELOPMENT IN EAST GERMANY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00810A006200270003-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 14
• Document Creation Date: December 21, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 14, 2008
• Sequence Number: 3
• Publication Date: May 27, 1955
• Content Type: REPORT

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CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
INFORMATION REPORT
S-E-C R-E T
COUNTRY East Germany
REQUIREMENT
REFERENCES
SUBJECT Computer Development in East Germany DATE DISTR.
NO. OF PAGES
DATE OF INFO.
PLACE ACQUIRED
DATE ACQUIRED
27 May 1955
THE SOURCE EVALUATIONS IN THIS REPORT ARE DEFINITIVE.
THE APPRAISAL OF CONTENT IS TENTATIVE.
(FOR KEY SEE REVERSE)
CORRECTION
Anreport with the above heading
was issued on 21 March 1955.The:heading indicated that there
were 13 pages; however, only the eight pages of text were published.
Attached are the five pages of diagrams which were omitted from the
original report.
STATE x ARMY x NAVY
th,
This material contains Information affecting the Na-
tionai Defense of the United States within the mean-
ing of the MOW=" Laws. Title 18. U.S.C. Seca. 793
and .794. the transmission or revelation of which in
any manner to an unauthoriesd person is prohibited
by law.
REPORT
AEC
rORR E x O I Ev
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 Approved For Release 2008/08/14: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA006200270003-4
INFORMATION REPORT
This material contains information affe # th
National Defense of the United States within the
meaning of the Espionage Laws, Title 18, U.S.C.
Secs. 793 and 794, the transmission or revel-
ation of which in any manner to an unauthorized
person is prohibited by law.
COUNTRY East Germany
SUBJECT Computer Development in
Eaat Germany
DATE OF INFO.
PLACE ACQUIRED
DATE ACQUIRED
REPORT L_
DATE DISTR.
NO. OF PAGES
REQUIREMENT
REFERENCES
THE SOURCE EVALUATIONS IN THIS REPORT ARE DEFINITIVE.
THE APPRAISAL OF CONTENT IS TENTATIVE.
(FOR'KEY SEE REVERSE) '
21 March 1955
45
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1. So. far as is known, East German development of computing machines above
the level of simple mechanical or electrical instruments has been carried
out at only three places,
as The Academy Institute for Medicine and Biology in Berlin-Buoh,
where development of a Fourier synthesis analog computer of the
Pepinsky type has been carried outl under the supervision of Dr.
Kaete Dornberger, head of the Crystal Structure Analysis Group of
the Institute. The ultimate aim of this development is the con-
struotion of a machine for the synthesizing of two-dimensional
Fourier series. So far, even the construction of a one-dimensional
model has met with many difficulties- mainly caused by unsuccessful
attempts-at developing a suitable sinus generator as the machine
element. At present Dr. Dornberger.and her group are still work-
ing on this development but its successful completion cannot be
expected in the foreseeable future.
b. VEB Carl Zeiss, Jena, where a computer called O Tema , operated
by a great number of relays, has been under development under the
scientific supervision of Dr. Herbert Kortum2. This development
is still in its initial stage and has hardly progressed beyond
experimental blueprinting and the construction of a provisional
rack for the.. relays.
co The Institute for Applied. Mathematics at Dresden Technical Uni-
versity, where Prof. N. Joachim Lehmann has worked on the develop-
ment of a digital computer singe 1948, if Lehmann's first projects
are counted as the start of this development3. From 1950 on,the
development has been carried out jointly with technicians of VEB
Funkwerk Dresden in a special'laboratory of the latter enterprise.
The development of the machine was scheduled to be completed by
the end of 1954. However, as of January 1955, development of an
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experimental model with 250 electron tubes had not , .: been
completed. Completion of the final model is not expected before
the end of 1955. Contrary to the Berlin-Buch development, Lehmann's
attempts have,so far met with success, inasmuch as the most essen-
tial circuit elements of the experimental models have worked sat-
isfactorily in trial circuits with 150 and 250 tubes. The final
..model is to have 620 electron tubes of the RV 12 P 2000 type .
2. Since the Berlin-Buoh development pertains to an analog computer and
since the basic idea and oomputeitions for the Oprema development at
Zeiss, Jena, were provided by Lehmann, the statement seems justified
that East German digital computer development is centered at Dresden
Technical University. Lehmann may be considered as the 'g'reatest
East German authority on digital oom,puter.development. In addition to
the Dresden computer development, he works as a scientific advisor for
the computer developments going on in Jena and Berlin-Ruch. While he
obtained his first ideas for the Dresden development, 'From Prof., F.A..
Willere, a noted authority on numerical oaloulations and math na-tiohl
instruments, he started to conceive projects of his own for the develop-
ment-of a digital computer in 1948 when he first hoard about the
American ENIAC computer. Lehmann's theoretical work on computers is
greatly influenced by computer research carried out in the USA, England,
and Switzerland. Be has also taken several trips to West Germany in
order to study the computers in Goettingen and Hamburg. Essential
features of his model are based on the following papers:
A. P. Speiser: "Entwurf sines elektronischen Reohengeraete",
Mitteilungon des Institute fuer angewandte Math-
ematik,Hidgenoessisohe Toohnisohe Hooheohulo,
Zurich 1950, Ni'. 1e,
be H. Rutishauser; A. 1. Spoiserl Be Stiefol: "Programmgestouerts
digitale Reohengeraete": 10*1951, Nr. 2.
a. D. J. Wheeler: "Program Organization and Initial Orders for the
EDSAC'!, Proceedings of the Royal Society 202
(1950), 573-589-
A.' H. Billing: "Numerisohe Rechenmaschinen mit?Magnetophonspeioh-
er", Zeitsohrift fuer angewandte Mathematik and
'Meohanik 29 (1949), 1.
3. The Dresden computer is a small digital machine, a "Kleinautomat".
As characterized by Dr. Lehmann"l'it is to "allow the easy handling of
all routine problems of practical analysis; its computer speed should
also allow the occasional handling of simple partial-differential
equations"5. The'size and operational scope of the machine were largely
determined by the consideration of material and maintenance expenditures.
ThiT -,tiled out entirely any attempt at developing a computer similar to
the big machines constructed in the USA and England. According to Dr.
Lehmann, the Dresden machine represents the most favorable solution in
view of the most favorable relation between performance and expend-
itures. The magnetophone principle was selected-for the numerical mem-
ory (Speicher) of the machine as the cheapest, but most efficient,
principle available at the present state of technology;
Following are the mgst essential construction elements and functions of
the Dresden machine :
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a. The Maanetophontrommelspeicher, a magnetophone.drum upon. which
numbers coded as binary numbers (im Dualsystem versohluesselt),
are stored as magnetic dipoles. This Speicher;, which holds about
2,6Q0 numbers of 20 decimal digits each, work's with about 100 rps
and 1001-6s; digital train frequency (Ziffernfolgefrequenz)6
be The eleetronie'Reohenwerk carries out the four basic calculation
types and the conversion of decimal numbers (tetradiech vero-
schluesselte Dezimalzahlen) into binary numbers and vice versa.
o. 'The control of the computing operations is of the electronic mono-
address-system-control type (elektronieohe gontrolle im Einadressen-
system). The commands are coded an numbers and pooled in the mema
ory. The required auxiliary installation' are combined in a sepa-
rate Computing control meelanism (Steuerreohenwerk).
d. Input of numbers, and commands is carried out by the scanning of a
punched card (Loohetreifen). It is planned-to replace the cards'
later by magnetophone bands. The input mechanism can also be
hand-operated for control purposes*
e. Output of results is done with the aid of Blatt^ehrniber or
Streifenlooher. If Blattsohreaib,er are used,intermediary texts can
also be written.
5. The following advantages of the Dresden computer were particularly emphasised'
by Dr. Lehmanns
a. The Maanetoohontrommelenniche r1 which is the main memory of the
device, is being used'for computing purposes as wall ae for dontrol
purposes. This twofold purpose is performed by means of a device
called Vmlaufsostd.her (see figure I in appendix 1). As shown in
figures 2 and 3 of the appendix 2, the memory can also be used for
delaying purposes (Vermoegerungezweoks), and for commutable diaying
(umsohaltbare Terzoegerung).
be Conversion of decimal numbers into binary ones and vice versa is
.particularly simple.
a. Lack of certain control possibilities is compensated for by the
low material and money expenditure.-and by the insignif-
icance of error sources*
d. The almost exclusive use of electron tubes ih circuits modeled
after those developed by A. U. Aiken7. It was originally planned
to make ample use of relay circuits. This idea was discarded after
it was found that use of relays within the interior parts of-the
machine oansed loss of time and disturbances (Stooerstellen).
Relave are used in the border parts (Randstellen), i.e. in the input
and output installations of the machine, for material-saving reasons.
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6. Organization, function and performance of the Dresden computer:
a. The.. Beohenwa.rk
The RAcyhenwerk is able to carry out--without the use of the memory--
exprei~eione of the following form:
.j.--I n
a / ~ M
Subtraction and division can be substituted for addition and
multiplication in the above formula. ' This mode of operation,
w? iich is the one best adapted to the monoadd.r%jis command system,
allow8 the computing in one opera~tsion of ecalWr products and poly-
nomea, according to the Horner scheme.. In om4 r to save material,
thhet mechanism works with a fixed comma (de~cti`mra~l ;ppoiwt), which is;
pblraoed after- thve sixth d*O,,ftal digit,. The esCsenfftmsa parts of the
R'e:otihenwerk are three registers (Regster Of Df'a~heutfspei~oher), and
an a'o:oumulator (AkkUmula~tor) in an addl~ion ani subtrao~tion circuit.
The principle of the Reoh*n erk is indicated in f gure 4 o'f epp:elk
dx 3, where the-,full lines} epree:ent number circuits sad the dro~tsted
lines control circuits. The small cronaea, within the lines indicate
e,!Pitoh positions (Sohaltetellhen~. The letit >rs1 in the diagram mean
the followings
Is number input
8s number ifput for parent~hesi_e`-multiplication
operation
SP I exit to "'Sited
AC: aooumuul*cto
Md and Mrs registers (nmlaufspeiohev) for multi-
and divis iPonns?.
Ts register for the adding of prod`uaits
Vi sign computer
Negative numbers are marked intAhe memory by a+opeoial sign impulse.
In the Reohsnwark a counter modulo 2 (osal1e`a trigger) is coordin-
ated with the Id register. In the T rog s,terr negative numbers
first appear as complements but they ere hateer+ s(eparated into signs
and absolute values,. Thus multiplication ;and cdYivieion of positive
numbers only is required and no oompl.emevt ins tstdlati.ons are
neocessary.. Multiplication and division are oa4cr4od out as repeated
additions and subtractions, as desoribe,d by Sse.>r in the paper
mentioned in paragraph 2. a. above=. TWO R~o`chenwerk. thus is able
to canny out a number of command s!egau+enoes oorresond~ng to the
f'ormuulua cited at the head of paragraph 6. e;.
"ITHI e oompu~t nag tiraee,
including search time in the meemof j-, are on t%Ye. average:
.6 milli-seconds for an addition.
30 milli-seconds for a multi;plioat,con
42 uilli-?eoonds for a division
Considering the average distribution of computing operations
(about 32 multiplications and 9 divisions per 6~5: adr.ions), and
some time delays caused by the giving of oom7maiide, t`he above
figures signify, that about 50 operations can be e`rried out per
second,. The multiplication .time is relati~vePhy logf!o Dr. Lehmann
is now working on its reduction,. He is re,po:6Wd ?to have succeeded
in r-edeuoing it to about 22 milli-se,cond,s..
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b. Thee, iSehreir (storage;)!
Thee amain memory is an e.hectronic drum about 2 ?cenl~ttimetera long
waxih+ ax AdMibametebr of atbzuuut ~2? ,cmk. Its surface is ;coaveied with a
magn~etiter ] yer on +w ~Wh iri zmbers are stared ars ag et`ic dipoles
w>it~h, at e aiird of A.uW er oaf mi~nukt'e magneto~ph~one, headae, Thee di=stance
betwee the' magneto~phone thYe"ardrs and thre-ima etite ;layer i+s 0.05
m~iallimet?~er:. For- r*sons to correct function~i.~ng `only two digits
afire, s ore'd peri:llimmerter of thXe drum eircumfere er. ~1Nfit?h the drum
rotta~ting at the ratie of 1000 rpsr?t 41 ment o~ned abov~i0te mean
se~arc"`h, ieme in the be-ma-mar is 5 mi-11l , eeotonds. Only 1 numibers are
i
ort on-.* cftum circumference. Sitnce thre d~rum~ holFde . tiootal of about
2*000 inumbers,,, V20 indiviwdual clhannelgs a~r?e needed. on the drum,
Ay T o~rdi~ng to ro~uAtine metho-dd 1~28 gpeto~ph~or et heads d sevAe~ral.
hundred tubes woul~dd' therefore tb~e rem uiireIn tic ft,
to save mato?
2ial, Dr Lehmann arranged set?s> >of 8' may pezto bone heads each
in 0u?cih,, a way, that each s"ett of a can be Ars". faced a3 i'~_
long, thre axis of
T y
thee; drum with the acid-'of is1Jde` ~m'eohaniemt. s s1liidre mrecftan'sm
can, ,assume 8 different elect~ro-thagn~e~tic positbion~s. In ~th~is~ way the
t6 jm"aNg-,etophone heads in 'th'e, two ee~ts oo it~robl 128s ,(nra el~y~, 2 times
8 times 8) channels. 0per ti on, o'f tho sl~i~de~ meoham iiem! into, dif-Der-
e ti epos tioae t`~akee' between ~ 0 and 5`0 mil~l~i sYe ads, Sti'n'ce 25,6
std age ? seot~iion scan a~lwa~ys be ea~ohed gat ~t"hei, Same t~.tm~e ,writ~htin 5
m?illi-se,oond~st, the described ~arr nYgement i~noroaaede the trotral cPom~pu,t-
ing time by lases than 10%, h ereas, tegpand~iture ; of eleot~roriio maitre-
xial ins deorea'ezed4 by abouF 80~~e. T,re 1A6 ma no heads serve at
t7h?~e (same time cr. "reading" ,They area porakted by
oamou?t.tubes which in turn ar~e1t4ontrollod ,with ther'a" of email
re4 1et~dr and opd!s matrio?? by he . f' p-fop oireuite. o?f the com-
mand ?re is~terr. el~eotion ~ohannel,~i ,providrod
for ~i-nfthe fool~llow~irng way, ` E c1 sitorage ou'l aafong to 1:6
of its kind on?'a? dsruth oiroum oe itis Yooro r~atsd with A, +pro-
maYgne4~fted coil ;1p11.. Exe oily ~at~ the time w Yen the i-thr ,slt~o`r ge
sceotion=arrivos unwd'ern'e.ath,;a a~a etophoneg. heads a volts a tile~pwio is
induced; in Sou the.0weh a 616'"k
e plie t t ;drum.. The r m u.lae
ezr1l
sxor es for releasing tz2i~e input or. p,utk of the oont t? oaf' the
i-tth~ sage eoo~tion The ~ool p > s ao trolled,. by a e n'o of a
t in t~hre~f~commaln`d Min0, 6. en r. Ttisi 'l
reoAtifier }procedure oall~ed 'It
"ang~le~ isetl.e.ction? NO t;~the ooresponding meohantiiem is
detWjijnated by WjR'r i~ifl~tfign~re 5 of` ~a p.e? di .
c. ThYe Siteuerreohenw;erk
Th`~is carries ?ouk the commands in the preacrib,edo uroye 6%J4
on as
sfr#,d in. the main memory in the form gt c`oJe'ct ns m wer,~exe It can
a~l~'s o perform minor aal4culVe+ttionls oaf au~xil#ia~ry character, ctountnFgs,
d
o
ma
c
m
n
chenge~s~, e~tYcy..,, Without t~h( u~s[e, cf' th`e? ~echen+wlerk~.
commm41ft& :cons.10tis# of thTma pantie=, once ;of