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Seymour CrayAmerican engineer and scientist, creator of a number of American supercomputers
Date of Birth: 28.09.1925
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Seymour Cray: The Father of Supercomputers
- Career at ERA and Remington Rand
- Founding of Control Data Corporation
- CDC 1604 and CDC 160A
- CDC 6600 and CDC 7600
- CDC 8600 and Departure from CDC
- Cray Research and Supercomputers
- Cray Computer Corporation and Bankruptcy
- SRC Computers
- Engineering Approach
- Personal Qualities
Seymour Cray: The Father of Supercomputers
Early Life and Military ServiceBorn in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin in 1925, Seymour Cray developed an early interest in science and engineering, inspired by his father, a civil engineer. He graduated from Chippewa Falls High School in 1943 and enlisted in the U.S. Army as a radio operator. Serving in both Europe and the Pacific, he worked on deciphering Japanese messages.
Career at ERA and Remington Rand
In 1951, Cray began his engineering career at Engineering Research Associates (ERA), a company that developed cryptographic equipment for the U.S. Navy. While at ERA, he designed his first computer, the ERA 1103 (1953). In 1952, ERA was acquired by Remington Rand, which had previously acquired Eckert-Mauchly Computer Corporation (UNIVAC). The two acquired companies merged to form the UNIVAC Division, and Cray's computer was released as the UNIVAC 1103.
Founding of Control Data Corporation
In 1957, Cray joined a group of former ERA employees who left Sperry-Rand (the successor company to Remington Rand) to establish Control Data Corporation. Cray contributed $5,000 of his personal savings to the new company.
CDC 1604 and CDC 160A
At CDC, Cray developed the CDC 1604 (1960), the fastest computer in the world at the time. He then designed the CDC 160A, a smaller version of the 1604 that was marketed as a minicomputer.
CDC 6600 and CDC 7600
Cray's subsequent designs, the CDC 6600 (1964) and CDC 7600 (1969), became industry standards. The CDC 6600 was the first supercomputer to break the $1 million price barrier.
CDC 8600 and Departure from CDC
Cray attempted to create a more powerful computer, the CDC 8600, but the project was delayed and costly. In 1972, Cray left CDC and founded Cray Research.
Cray Research and Supercomputers
At Cray Research, Cray designed the Cray-1 (1975), the Cray-2 (1985), and the Cray-3 (1990), which were among the most powerful supercomputers of their time.
Cray Computer Corporation and Bankruptcy
In 1989, Cray left Cray Research to found Cray Computer Corporation. However, the company struggled financially, and in 1995, it filed for bankruptcy after failing to secure funding for ongoing development.
SRC Computers
Cray founded SRC Computers in 1996, but his death in a car accident later that year put an end to the company.
Engineering Approach
Cray's engineering philosophy emphasized speed above all else. He prioritized dense component packaging, efficient data paths, and a reduced instruction set. He also preferred proven and reliable components over experimental technologies.
Personal Qualities
Cray was a dedicated engineer who preferred to focus on his work. He was known for his willingness to start projects over from scratch if he believed they had gone astray. Despite his wealth and success, he remained a hands-on engineer, often personally assembling computer modules.
