John Vincent Atanasoff

John Vincent Atanasoff (October 4,1903 – June 15,1995) was a prominent American computer engineer of Bulgarian origin. His work was instrumental in the development of the digital computer.

Honors and distinctions

Atanasoff's father Ivan had immigrated in 1889 from Bulgaria at the age of 13. In 1970, Atanasoff was invited to Bulgaria by the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, so the Bulgarian Government could confer upon him the Cyril and Methodius Order of Merit First Class. He was proud that Bulgaria was the first country to recognize his work and has always emphasized on his Bulgarian roots. In 1981, he received the Computer Pioneer Medal from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). Atanasoff Hall, a computer science building on the Iowa State campus, is named after him. Finally, in 1990, President George H. W. Bush awarded Atanasoff the United States National Medal of Technology. He has been awarded a number of other distinctions as well. Among these are included:

Related Topics:
Bulgaria - 1970 - Bulgarian Academy of Sciences - 1981 - Computer Pioneer Medal - Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers - 1990 - George H. W. Bush - United States National Medal of Technology

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• U.S. Navy Distinguished Service Award (1945)
• Citation, Seismological Society of America (1947)
• Citation, Admiral, Bureau of Ordnance (1947)
• Cosmos Club membership (1947)
• Order of Cyril and Methodius (1970)
• Doctor of Science (hon.) University of Florida (1974)
• Honorary membership, Society for Computer Medicine (1974)
• Iowa Inventors Hall of Fame (1978)
• Iowa Governor's Science Medal (1985)
• Order of Bulgaria, First Class Award (1985)
• Computing Appreciation Award, EDUCOM (1985)
• Holley Medal, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (1985)
• Coors American Ingenuity Award (1986)
• Doctor of Science (hon.) University of Wisconsin (1987)