Brown University Computing Laboratory: Difference between revisions

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[[File:Computing_Laboratory,_Brown_University_(cropped).jpg|thumb|Brown Computing Laboratory]]

[[File:Watson_Plaque.jpg|thumb|Dedication Plaque]]The '''Brown University Computing Laboratory''' is an academic building of [[Brown University]] located at 180 George Street<ref>{{Cite web |title=180 George Street at Brown University for Center for Computation and Visualization « LLB Architects {{!}} Lerner Ladds Bartels |url=http://llbarch.com/projects/higher-education/180-george-street/ |access-date=2023-04-24 |language=en-US}}</ref> in [[Providence, Rhode Island]]. It was built in 1961 and designed by noted architect [[Philip Johnson]]. The building was funded through a donation by the family of [[Thomas J. Watson]], Sr. and dedicated to his memory. It was designed to house the IBM 7070 whichthat was obtained through grants from the National Science Foundation and the IBM Corporation. On a wall in the main lobby hunghangs a tapestry given by Philip Johnson after a design by [[Arshile Gorky]].

According to the [[Encyclopedia Brunoniana]], Philip Johnson wrote, “I conceived the Brown Computing Laboratory as a ''porticus'' – a porch – to emphasize its importance as a technical center, its unique setting in the cityscape and its dignity as a memorial building. Though neo-Classical, therefore in conception, the materials and the design of the columns are quite contemporary. Only precast stone could have been used to form the X’s of the entablature; only plate glass could render the porch usable in New England. By use of the red granite chips, I thought to harmonize the Laboratory with the 19th century which surrounds it.” <ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Encyclopedia Brunoniana {{!}} Computing Laboratory |url=https://www.brown.edu/Administration/News_Bureau/Databases/Encyclopedia/search.php?serial=C0680 |access-date=2021-10-19 |website=www.brown.edu}}</ref>

TheWhen the building was first occupied, the machine room, a classroombatch job submission and retrieval area, a keypunch room, and meetingan roomsextra room were on the first floor and staff offices and storage rooms were in the basement. AlsoEventually, onan theIBM first1130 floorand was2250 adisplay dedicatedwere spaceinstalled forin athe virtualextra realityroom. environmentBy known as1971, the YURT.<ref>{{Citeextra web|title=Virtualroom realityheld kindlesthe aBrown newUniversity wayGraphics toSystem learn|url=https(BUGS)[http://sciencenodewww.bitsavers.org/featurepdf/virtual-reality-brings-real-advantages--and--real-challengesbrownUniversity/BUGS/] a project of Prof.php|access-date=2021-10-19|website=Science Node}}</ref>[[Andries van Dam]].

In 1988,Once the Appliedlab Mathematicsno Divisionlonger becamehoused the primaryuniversity occupantmainframe aftercomputer, athe newfirst Centerfloor forbecame Informationa Technologydedicated buildingspace wasfor opened.a Subsequently,virtual thereality Centerenvironment forknown Computationas andthe VisualizationYURT.<ref>{{Cite web|title=CenterVirtual forreality Computationkindles anda new Visualizationway Brownto Universitylearn|url=https://bulletinsciencenode.brown.eduorg/centerforcomputationandvisualizationfeature/virtual-reality-brings-real-advantages--and--real-challenges.php|access-date=2021-10-19|website=bulletin.brown.eduScience Node}}</ref> became the primary occupant.

In 1988, the Applied Mathematics Division became the primary occupant after a new Center for Information Technology building was opened to house the Computer Science Department. Subsequently, the Center for Computation and Visualization<ref>{{Cite web|title=Center for Computation and Visualization Brown University|url=https://bulletin.brown.edu/centerforcomputationandvisualization/|access-date=2021-10-19|website=bulletin.brown.edu}}</ref> became the primary occupant.

== References ==