MESM

MESM
Also known as	Small Electronic Calculating Machine
Developer	Sergei Alekseyevich Lebedev/Kiev Institute of Electrotechnology
Release date	1950;74 years ago
Lifespan	1950–1959
CPU	6,000vacuum tubes@ 5 kHz
Input	Punched cardsor typed using a plug switch
Power	25 kW
Dimensions	8 to 10 metres (26 to 33 ft) long and about 2 metres (7 ft) tall

MESM(Ukrainian:MEOM, Мала Електронна Обчислювальна Машина;Russian:МЭСМ, Малая Электронно-Счетная Машина; 'Small Electronic Calculating Machine') was the first universally programmable electronic computer in theSoviet Union.By some authors it was also depicted as the first one incontinental Europe,even though the electromechanical computersZuse Z4and theSwedish BARKpreceded it.^[2]

Overview

MESM was created by a team of scientists under the direction ofSergei Alekseyevich Lebedevfrom theKiev Institute of Electrotechnologyin theUkrainian SSR,atFeofaniya(nearKyiv).^[2]

Initially, MESM was conceived as a layout or model of a Large Electronic Calculating Machine and letter "M" in the title meant "model" (prototype).

Work on the machine was research in nature, in order to experimentally test the principles of constructing universal digital computers. After the first successes and in order to meet the extensive governmental needs of computer technology, it was decided to complete the layout of a full-fledged machine capable of "solving real problems".^[3]MESM became operational in 1950.^[4]^[5]It had about 6,000vacuum tubesand consumed 25 kW ofpower.It could perform approximately 3,000 operations per minute.^[6]

Creation and operation history

Current view of the building in Feofaniya (current address: Academician Lebedev St., 19), where the MESM was developed.

Principal computer architecture scheme was ready by the end of 1949. As well as a few schematic diagrams of an individual blocks.
In 1950 the computer was mounted in a two-story building of the former hostel of a convent inFeofania,where a psychiatric hospital was located before theSecond World War.
November 6, 1950: team performed the first test launch. Test task was: $f(n)={\begin{cases}Y\prime \prime +Y=0\\Y(0)=0\\Y(\pi )=0\end{cases}}$
January 4, 1951: First useful calculations performed. Calculate the factorial of a number, raise number in a power. Computer was shown to special commission of theUSSR State Academy of Sciences.Team was led byMstislav Keldysh.
December 25, 1951: Official government testing passed successfully. USSR Academy of Sciences and Mstislav Keldysh began regular operation of the MESM.
It was operated until 1957, and then transferred toKyiv Polytechnic Institutefor training purposes
1959: MESM dismantled.Boris Malinovskyrecalled:
- “Computer was split into pieces, which were used to build series of stands, after all all of them was thrown away.”

Many of the electron tubes and other components left from MESM are stored in the Foundation for the History and Development of Computer Science and Technology in the Kiev House of Scientists of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.

System specification

Arithmetic Logic Unit
- universal
- parallel action
- flip-flopbased
Number representation
- binary
- fixed points16-n bits per number plus with one sign bit
Instructions
- 20 binary bits per command
  - The first 4 bits - operation code
  - The next 5 bits - first operand address another 5 it the second operand address
  - The last 6 bits - operation result address
  - Following instruction types supported
    - addition
    - add with carry
    - subtraction
    - multiplication
    - division
    - binary shifts
    - comparison taking into account mark
    - absolute value comparison
    - transfer of control
    - magnetic drum read
    - stop
RAM
- Flip-flop based
- Data and code separated
  - 31 machine words for data
  - 63 machine words for code
ROM
- 31 machine words for data
- 63 machine words for code
Clock rate
- 5 kHz
Performance
- About 3000 operations per minute (total time of one cycle is 17.6 ms; division operation takes from 17.6 to 20.8 ms)

The computer was built using 6000vacuum tubeswhere about 3500 weretriodesand 2500 werediodes.The system occupied 60 m²(646square feet) of space and used about 25 kW of power.

Data was read frompunched cardsor typed using a plug switch. It additionally could use amagnetic drumthat stored up to 5000 codes of numbers or commands.

An electromechanicalprinteror photo device was used for output.

References

^Hally, Mike (2005).Electronic brains: Stories from the dawn of the computer age.Washington, D.C.: Joseph Henry Press.ISBN 978-0-309-09630-0.
^^a ^bHarbour, Michael Gonzalez (1999).Reliable Software Technologies - Ada-Europe '99.Springer Science & Business Media. p.181.ISBN 9783540660934.
^MESM Soviet computer project marks 60 years.Engadget. 26 December 2011.Retrieved30 October2017.
^Graham, Loren R.(1993).Science in Russia and the Soviet Union: A Short History.Cambridge University Press. p. 256.ISBN 978-0521287890.Archivedfrom the original on 2017-10-24.
^Mercier-Laurent, Eunika; Boulanger, Danielle (2014-05-23).Artificial Intelligence for Knowledge Management: First IFIP WG 12.6 International Workshop, AI4KM 2012, Montpellier, France, August 28, 2012, Revised Selected Papers.Springer. p. 2.ISBN 9783642548970.
^Crowe, Gregory D.; Goodman, Seymour E. (1994), "S.A. Lebedev and the Birth of Soviet Computing",Annals of the History of Computing,16,Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers: 4–24,doi:10.1109/85.251852,S2CID 17447414

[1] Hally, Mike (2005).Electronic brains: Stories from the dawn of the computer age.Washington, D.C.: Joseph Henry Press.ISBN 978-0-309-09630-0.

[reliable-2] Harbour, Michael Gonzalez (1999).Reliable Software Technologies - Ada-Europe '99.Springer Science & Business Media. p.181.ISBN 9783540660934.

[3] MESM Soviet computer project marks 60 years.Engadget. 26 December 2011.Retrieved30 October2017.

[graham-4] Graham, Loren R.(1993).Science in Russia and the Soviet Union: A Short History.Cambridge University Press. p. 256.ISBN 978-0521287890.Archivedfrom the original on 2017-10-24.

[5] Mercier-Laurent, Eunika; Boulanger, Danielle (2014-05-23).Artificial Intelligence for Knowledge Management: First IFIP WG 12.6 International Workshop, AI4KM 2012, Montpellier, France, August 28, 2012, Revised Selected Papers.Springer. p. 2.ISBN 9783642548970.

[Crowe_Goodman1994-6] Crowe, Gregory D.; Goodman, Seymour E. (1994), "S.A. Lebedev and the Birth of Soviet Computing",Annals of the History of Computing,16,Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers: 4–24,doi:10.1109/85.251852,S2CID 17447414

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Overview

Creation and operation history

System specification

See also

References