The beginning of computer science in Argentina – Clementina - (1961-1966)

Abstract

1957 marked the beginning of modern education in computing in Argentina. I was lucky enough to live this part of the history. After issuing an international bid that year, all members of a special commission from the University of Buenos Aires selected the Ferranti Mercury computer to be purchased for the University. Once installed in 1961, an Institute of Calculus1 was created with the aim of improving the use and professional and technical applications of the machine. Almost at the same time, a new course of study was organized, the Scientific Computist2. Those three events, promoted by our teacher and mentor Manuel Sadosky, set the start point of education assisted by computers in our country. The work at the Institute covered three fields: problem solving, research and teaching. Several Working Teams were organized looking to solve “real problems” in different disciplines: Mathematical Economics, Operations Research, Statistics, Linguistics, Applied Mechanics, Numerical Analysis, Electronic Engineering and Programming Systems. The architecture, structure, operation, languages and other characteristics of the machine, quite advanced for the time, determined the specific area of each of the working teams. After the military coup of 1966 disrupted several institutions, the University and several of its working teams, especially our Institute, the Institute stopped all of its operations. The Mercury computer era came to an abrupt end in our country. 90% of the members of the Institute, scientists, professors and highly trained professionals, resigned and many of them left the country taking their knowledge and expertise abroad.