Edmund Callis Berkeley received a BA in mathematics and logic from Harvard University in 1930 after which he worked for Mutual Life Insurance of New York as an actuarial clerk. In 1934 he took a position with Prudential Insurance of America where he eventually became chief research consultant. He joined the U. S. Navy in 1942 and worked at Dahlgren Laboratory as a mathematician. There, he was assigned to Howard Aiken's Harvard Laboratory to work on the sequential calculator project (Mark II).
After leaving the Navy in 1946 he returned to Prudential. In 1947 he
helped found the Eastern Association for Computing Machinery, renamed the
Association for Computing Machinery in 1948, and served as its first secretary.
At Prudential Insurance, Berkeley worked on a
Berkeley felt it was his duty to work against nuclear war and quit
Prudential to set up his own business, Berkeley Associates, in 1948. Shortly
after the establishment of his company, Berkeley wrote one of the first books
on electronic computers for a general audience,
Berkeley Enterprises employed the talents of a number of individuals, some of whom later gained importance in the computer and other fields. The most notable of these was Patrick J. McGovern, Berkeley's office manager, who eventually founded International Data Corporation (IDC). Researchers should note that not all of the names associated with Berkeley Enterprises were real individuals. Berkeley wrote and published under several pseudonyms, such as Neil D. MacDonald.
Berkeley explored different avenues to supplement his finances. He wrote articles and gave talks, did actuarial consulting, worked part time as consultant for Information International, Inc., particularly for the Navy's HUMRRO project on computer-assisted explanation and LISP. In addition, he reviewed books for the Library of Science series, marketed his books, robots (Brainiacs, Tyniacs and Geniacs), and teaching machines. He continued to write books on computers, logic, and learning.
Berkeley was active in the peace movement and in 1958 became involved with the Committee for a Sane Nuclear Policy (SANE) led by Norman Cousins. The 1960 controversy over possible communists in the organization is well reflected in correspondence between Berkeley, Norman Cousins, and Linus Pauling. Berkeley published the Greater Boston Area SANE Newsletter, and later the Newsletter for The Boston Committee for Disarmament and Peace. He wrote numerous articles, letters to the editor, and letters to members of government. He was also active in speaking on disarmament and publicizing events of the peace movement.
The Berkeley papers contain correspondence, notes, memoranda, lists, reports, reference material, financial records, publications, and photographs relating to Edmund C. Berkeley and Berkeley Enterprises. The earliest records in the collection relate to his insurance work, the applications of symbolic logic and computing machines to business, the formation of the Association for Computing Machinery, and his military service at Dahlgren. Later records focus on the publications and operations of Berkeley Enterprises, as well as Berkeley's social activism.
While the collection reflects Berkeley's eclectic interests, there are a few subjects that are prominent, such as robotics, social action groups of the 1960s, mathematical and logic games, and computing. Material relating to robotics and teaching machine development at Berkeley Enterprises includes notes, manual drafts, circuit diagrams, and correspondence on development and sales, as well as a few examples of the robot kits and teaching machines sold by the company. The day-to-day business of Berkeley Enterprises is also well documented through memos, financial records, and correspondence. There are some book drafts and a preponderance of background research material. LISP files contain manual drafts and computer printouts, but little correspondence.
Berkeley's interest in social action is demonstrated in files containing information on approximately 175 different organizations including files on SANE that document the growth of and relationship between peace groups in the 1960s. The photographs are largely of Berkeley, computing machines and components, and robots. The videotape was produced by the ACM in 1988 and features an interview of Berkeley.
Correspondents of note include Patrick J. McGovern, Norman Cousins, Linus Pauling, Corliss Lamont, Ivan Sutherland, Menachem S. Arnoni, Ivan Borisov, Svet Lavrov, Florence Luscomb, Hyman Ruchlis, and Richard Ruopp.
In the container list,
File numbers 3, 147, 292, and 310 are restricted to those researchers having written permission from Judith Callahan, president of Berkeley Enterprises, until January 1, 2009, after which they will be open without restriction. Researchers interested in gaining access to these records should consult the CBI archivist.
The bulk of the collection is Edmund Berkeley's chronologically arranged numerical subject files. Dates in the Numerical Subject Files reflect the date of filing rather than date of contents, although they generally correlate with each other. The original folder headings have been retained in the list; an elaboration is provided in parentheses when appropriate. This series contains a wide array of material, including correspondence, memos, notes, publications, articles, and sometimes even artifacts.
These categories were subdivided numerically, and some further subdivided numerically or alphabetically.
Around 1953 he revised this system and simply used consecutive numbers as new subjects were filed. This leads to some confusion, particularly with his use of hyphenated numbers that appear on the file folders. In many cases users of this collection must check two possible number combinations for the same subject (e.g. the subject of 4-11 is similar to 411). However, the use of hyphens is not consistent; for example, while 4-11 is similar to 411, 4-12 is not similar to 412. In the former case, users should check classification number 4 (mathematics and symbolic logic) and 411 (symbolic logic and boolean algebra in accounting.
The number
Often Berkeley used letters to denote subcategories, but his use of them was very inconsistent. Some numbers were used for two different subjects, and these subjects are listed separately under the number.
The materials in this collection are arranged into the following groups:
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the University of Minnesota Libraries. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or places should search the catalog using these headings.
The records were given to the Charles Babbage Institute by Berkeley Enterprises, Inc., in cooperation with the Berkeley family.
Portions of the collection are restricted. Consult archives staff for further information.
CBI holds the copyright to all materials in the collection, except for items covered by a prior copyright (such as published materials). Researchers may quote from the collection under the fair use provisions of the copyright law (Title 17, U.S. Code).
Edmund C. Berkeley Papers (CBI 50), Charles Babbage Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.
The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.
[correspondence, notes]
[notes, memos, correspondence and Prudential reports on Boolean algebra, statal algebra, symbolic logic, etc.]
[notes from classes with Rudolf Flesch, Rosenberg and others, notes on economics, speed words, office operations, and other topics, including sociology course taken in Moscow]
[lists of jobs to complete and time records on work done]
[correspondence with Rev. Harding]
[memos & reports written for Prudential, Actuaries Club of New York Intercompany Study Committee reports, articles by Hugo Wright, notes and materials from classes by Quine on logic and by Schrimpf on electronic computers, and James the intelligent robot]
[codes for filing and work tasks, file location sketches]
[rock types, foreign travels]
[notes from Dan Bobrow class, articles, memos, correspondence and computer printouts on LISP and Miniature LISP (LIMP) Primer development by ECB and Mike Levin]
[notes, articles, charter]
[notes, report segment]
[memos about decision making]
[correspondence, reports, notes, memos, circuit sketches, advertising promotions, manuals, including Teaching Machines, Programmed Learning and Automatic Teaching Computers, photos]
[Advanced Punch Card Operations class, Kalin-Burkhart logical truth calculator, Methods Division Course, SEAC, electronic juggler, Computer Control Math Services booklets]
[notes about use of automated information machinery]
[index, reports, memos, attached correspondence]
[minutes, reports, papers, notices, ACM social responsibility committee records and correspondence]
[index, reports, memos, attachments, on applications of science to business]
[outline, correspondence, royalty statement]
[Science Materials Center correspondence]
[correspondence, glossary lists, circulation statistics and analyses, C & A promotional mailings, Who's Who in Computers production records]
[coding keys, exercises for and draft of Telling True From False]
[drafts, notes, correspondence]
[invoices]
[correspondence, drafts, final copy]
[notes, computations, correspondence, reports]
[original organizational questionnaire, correspondence, minutes, newsletter]
[proposals and reports for Sylvania Electric, including Alec--the Electronic Reporter]
[drafts, outlines, correspondence]
[consultant work for, and correspondence with Jim Prentice]
[accounting records]
[resignation from Prudential, statement of purpose for Berkeley Associates, prospectus for Berkeley Enterprises, list of projects underway]
[accounts payable & receivable]
[drafts, critiques, correspondence]
[position descriptions, aptitude tests]
[proposals, correspondence, advertisements, invoices]
[correspondence about setting up data base]
[notes, correspondence, and computer printouts on computer explanation and University of Toronto conversation problem, writings on logic and explanation, vocabulary studies]
[correspondence, especially with Herb Nagourney, drafts for reviewers' Guide, advertisement mailings]
[correspondence, status reports, reviews of books, and advertisements]
[correspondence, notes, and circuit diagrams regarding development of kits, manuals and experiments, and catalogs and advertisements]
[correspondence, invoices]
[Letter From China by Anna Louise Strong, China Kit from WILPF correspondence, notes and background literature and clippings]
SEE ALSO: Social Action Groups File
[notes, correspondence and aphorisms, memos on common sense and mistakes, appendices from General Science and Problem Solving]
[Michael Leyzorek, Eva di Stefano, and T. P. H. Liang correspondence]
[correspondence, notes and articles on Krebiozen and other alternative cancer treatments]
[ideas for articles for Prometheus Press, especially on flights over the Soviet Union by U. S. military, and chapters 3 & 4 from Odyssey of a Citizen]
[correspondence, memos, accounting records, and notes on the development and marketing of small robots, including Relay Moe, Franken, Tit-Tat-Toe Machine, Test Your Nerve Machine, Simon, and mechanical brain kits. Also includes schematics for Magnum Drum storage and some robots, correspondence, and accounting records for rental and exhibition of machines, photos]
[talks given, correspondence with Walter Taylor and Greenfield Community College]
[correspondence and notes about growing plants, Brooklyn Botanic Garden]
[correspondence, articles and notes on various topics, including ACM One Day Symposium, 1963]
[partial draft, background materials]
[correspondence, notes, drafts and revisions of book]
[proposals, agreements and correspondence about project with Bill Rann of King's Green Engineering Co. and Andrew Booth]
[mailing lists, articles and correspondence]
[correspondence, reports, depositions, statistical charts and notes for Welbilt Stove, Merganthaler Linotype, Esso, Eschbach, and others]
[correspondence, notes and statistical lists]
[memos on annuity aggregate methods]
[correspondence, notes, and brochures on cooperation in development and marketing of teaching machines and Brainiac]
[report to Wiley & Sons]
[correspondence with Meccano Ltd.]
[draft of book, correspondence]
[puzzles, notes and correspondence]
[notes on business ideas, including a patent check on a stationery holder]
[index to publications that Berkeley authored or distributed, project numbers, and ideas for classification schemes]
[notes, including a discussion with Florence Luscomb, articles, and brochures]
[correspondence, notes, and circuit diagrams]
[correspondence, notes, drafts of articles, and clippings on free speech and desegregation]
SEE ALSO: Social Action Groups File
[minutes]
[working file]
[City College of New York course bulletin, notes, exams, student submissions]
[course materials, bulletins, forms, correspondence, completed exams, report to State Department of Education, Massachusetts]
[course materials, bulletins, forms, correspondence, and completed exams]
[course materials, bulletins, forms, correspondence, and completed exams]
[course materials, bulletins, forms, correspondence, and completed exams]
[correspondence with Michael Platzman, S. J. Booth, and others, notes, accounting records and circuit diagrams]
[course materials, bulletins, forms, correspondence, and completed exams]
[course materials, bulletins, forms, correspondence, completed exams]
[course materials, forms, correspondence)
[book drafts and revisions, correspondence, memos, notes, and early sales figures]
[Fluoridation and Dental Health Newsletter, records of the Newton Citizens' Committee for Dental Health and the Committee for an American Dental Health Society, correspondence, mailing lists, and background materials]
[notes, correspondence, Spelling -- A Common-Sense Guide]
[correspondence, drafts and accounting records concerning reprints and revisions; draft of Jerome Grossman's book)
[National Research Council on Survival and American Jewish Conference reports, notes, and newspaper clippings]
[memos on life by Berkeley, and letters from McGovern]
[correspondence, memos]
[Correspondence, notes, reports, subscription forms, and materials on Fair Employment Practices Committee]
[editorial and other material, especially on social responsibility, offers to sell C & A]
[newspaper clippings]
[correspondence, memos, notes]
[advertising galley proofs and correspondence, income and response records, and promotional mailings]
[reports, agreements, correspondence]
[correspondence, notes, reports, postcards, and photos]
[notes and correspondence on vacation and business trips, photos from Japanese conference]
[correspondence, newspaper clippings]
SEE ALSO: Social Action Groups File
[newspaper clippings]
[newspaper clippings and Sanger appeal]
[correspondence, foundation handbook, minutes, bylaws, notes, word and book lists, and materials from Carden Method, Orton Society, Reading Reform Conference materials]
[outline for Library of Science series]
[puzzles, correspondence]
[Personal Christmas Cards manuscript, cards, and correspondence]
[notes and correspondence on books for McMillan]
[Two Letter Words and Their Definitions, correspondence]
[correspondence, notes, Huge Mistakes and Teachable Moments]
[ideas on book of fiction using journal, and plans for reprint of Lewis Carroll book]
[correspondence with Menachem S. Arnoni, articles, newspaper clippings]
SEE ALSO: Social Action Groups File
[correspondence with Arnoni on Minority of One and Boston Committee for Disarmament & Peace mailing list exchange]
SEE ALSO: Social Action Groups File
[C. R. Daniels, Data Products Corp.]
[Telling True from False]
[exercises for Telling True from False]
[correspondence, memos, notes, advertising materials, drawings, and photos]
[notes, word lists, memos, and plans for spelling book)
[Tit-Tat-Toe machine, Test Your Nerve Machine, circuit diagrams and descriptions, notes, correspondence]
[notes, correspondence, circuit diagrams and blueprints, invoices, customer receipts, manuals and drafts, photos, Simon Half, Geniac, Tyniac, Sundorra 21, Brainiacs, Oliver Garfield suit]
[notes, drafts, manuscript, and background materials including Navy records]
[handouts, notes to lecture]
[proposal for kit by Tom Simkins]
[correspondence, drafts, What the Child Is -- What He Does]
[correspondence with Jim Prentice on programmed learning kits, automatic teaching computer, and accounting records]
[Quality Control Committee reports and minutes, background materials on standards and evaluation in education, drats of educational programs for Newton Public Schools, memos, newspaper clippings, brochures on Haskell Freedman]
[correspondence, notes, and model]
[notes with paper on annuity contracts]
[notes, circuit diagrams, descriptions, and correspondence with Mort Kronengold, Juli Skalski, Don Hughes and others]
[correspondence, notes, Brandon reports and advertising, cooperative mailings, and BE takeover discussions]
[advertising from school]
[consulting for ONR through Information International, Inc., including CAI and LISP book, proposals, reports, memos, notes, and time accounts]
[news clippings on murder of vice president of Information International, Inc.]
SEE ALSO: Social Action Groups File
[correspondence and Actuaries' Club of Boston membership list]
[talks, drafts of talks, background information, and correspondence]
[memos, correspondence, IDC promotional materials, staff lists, financial statement, Fastline Monthly]
[subscription fulfillment and problems, preparation for ABC audit, and correspondence with Bill McMillan, subscribers]
[correspondence and recipes]
[letter about possible assassination attempts]
[newspaper clippings and articles]
[correspondence and notes on consulting job]
[consulting through Information International, Inc., reports, proposals, for Naval Analysis Group, notes, correspondence with Don Pollock and others, including materials on Second Conference on Research Program Effectiveness]
[information requests from students from Boston Committee for Disarmament and Peace]
SEE ALSO: Social Action Groups File
[notes and correspondence with Stanley Wolf of McMillan on Spelling -- A Common-Sense Guide, and a report by Wolf)
[correspondence and memos on promotional mailing of reprints]
[reports, correspondence and notes on explanation for ONR through Information International, Inc. Talks with Dan Bobrow, reports to W. J. Saylor, and computer printouts using Mentor and LISP]
SEE ALSO Social Action Groups File
[correspondence, notes, drafts of articles, reprints, newspaper clippings, mailing lists, and other materials]
SEE ALSO Social Action Groups File
[correspondence about magazine by Milt Aronson]
[memos, proposal, and conference agenda]
[notes, memos, outlines, and drafts]
[originally named Everyday Logic, with notes, correspondence, outlines, drafts, a copy of Brainiac, and Lowry-Lucier reasoning tests]
[proposals, notes, correspondence with Don Pollock, Bob Taylor and others on book based on research at ONR]
[computer printout]
[correspondence and copy of contract]
[correspondence, memos, and notes on idea for Viet Nam Inquirer, copy of Viet Report]
SEE ALSO: Social Action Groups File
[simulator-analyzer, ONR contract through III, computer printouts, reports, notes, correspondence, discussions with Ed Fredkin, Lowell Hawkinson, and book orders]
[Look article and requests for reference sources in Markings]
[correspondence with Donald Hunt on donation of small robot, includes Small Robots -- Report]
[newspaper clippings, reprint, and pamphlets]
[newsletter and newspaper clippings]
[radio program, news releases, and newspaper clippings]
[letter and newspaper clippings]
[teletype sheets]
[drafts, correspondence, computer printouts, notes, and mailing lists]
[notes, booklet, and newspaper clippings]
[correspondence on sharing of IBM 1130]
[correspondence, proposal, brochures]
[estimates, invoices]
[correspondence, notes on The Computer Age conference, teaching at York University, business opportunities in Canada, and immigration materials]
[reports, memos, correspondence, circuit descriptions and notes on Sequence Controlled Calculator Project with H. H. Aiken, and visits to other labs]
[invoices, cost tables, and marked C & A copies]
[printed notes, diagrams, and bibliography]
[correspondence, notes, photos, ERA Rapid Selector, Audiad, Prudential memos]
[correspondence and notes]
[notes and correspondence]
[notes, newsletters, membership and officer list, and ultrafax]
[memos and project definition and approval forms]
[reports, summary minutes, correspondence, notes, membership lists, and background materials on crime prevention]
[
[correspondence on problem solving book, notes; includes Thinking With a Pencil]
[Sierra Club Bulletin and newspaper clippings]
[correspondence and notes]
[notes and report on progress]
[notes and correspondence]
[correspondence and notes on Berkeley printing of Inter/Change magazine, and a proposal for C & A daily]
[correspondence and notes on class at MIT on LISP]
[correspondence on LISP and MENTOR]
[correspondence and notes about social action; includes Letter to China]
SEE ALSO: Social Action Groups File
[notes, newspaper clippings and resume]
[newspaper clippings]
[list of projects and memo)
[proposal to NSF to develop Computer Language Algebra, reports correspondence, notes, and Dartmouth lectures, including Kiewit Computation Labs Colloquium]
[correspondence, notes and newspaper clippings on Business Executives Move for Vietnam Peace]
SEE ALSO: Social Action Groups File
[correspondence and newspaper clippings]
[correspondence with Richard Leventer of Benson, Stagg and Assoc. memos and income projections]
[correspondence, articles and magazine]
[correspondence]
[correspondence, notes, newsletters, C-E-I-R/ACM seminar handouts, materials from the Laboratory for Computer-Assisted Instruction at University of Texas at Austin]
[agreement on course, brochures and memos]
[applications, lists and correspondence]
[draft, correspondence, background materials, memos for Charles E. Brown of Newton Public Schools and inventory of 1967 articles in C & A on computers and moral questions]
[correspondence, notes, field service manuals, invoices, BE financial report, computer use schedules and brochures]
[correspondence, notes, memos, booklet and newspaper clippings]
[outline of
[notes, abstracts from Education and Computers Colloquium at MIT, and correspondence]
[correspondence with C-E-I-R, EDP Assoc., Paperback Library, and others; notes and background materials including computer printouts and tapes]
[correspondence, notes, drawings, and contracts]
[partial draft, Electronics Industry Association report, and correspondence with Paperback Library]
[correspondence, notes, computer courses brochures, course materials, newspaper clippings, and organization appeals]
[drafts, notes, and correspondence]
[notes and background materials on auto instructional kits)
[correspondence and forms on legal names of Berkeley Enterprises, Computers and Automation, and Berkeley Products, Inc.]
[correspondence, book orders, book reviews, purchase orders, agreements with Jim Cormier, and notes]
[newspaper clippings, and reprints]
[correspondence, puzzles, and Metlfax Magazine]
[brochures of Time Brokers, Inc., and notes]
[correspondence, notes, and loan forms]
[time sheets]
[summary of time spent on projects]
[correspondence, notes, memos, and various attachments]
[correspondence, notes on reprinting of The Child: What He Is -- What He Does]
[memos and engineering drawings lists]
[correspondence, price list, and program description]
[correspondence, advertisements, and evaluations by students).
[correspondence, materials lists, drawings, and drafts of ads for exhibit]
[notes, correspondence, and accounting records for Kairos Press,
mailing list for
SEE ALSO: Social Action Groups File
[newspaper clippings]
[notes and articles on problems in reasoning]
[invoices and notes]
[correspondence, minutes, reports, notes, questionnaire replies, application forms and letters, mailings, materials on ACM Secondary Education Committee, and background materials on education and computers]
[correspondence, notes, and C-E-I-R handbook]
[descriptions, correspondence, notes, drawings]
[list of
[correspondence, notes, brochures from Protestants and Other Americans United, Society of Separationists, and other anti-Catholic associations, Church and State newsletter, questionnaire development and responses, Catholic booklists, proposal to set up Association to Americanize the Roman Catholic Church, and newspaper clippings]
[class binder contents]
[correspondence, printing estimates, promotional literature, St. Bernard's School Budget of 1923, 1925, and 1926, and other school booklets]
[correspondence, memos, manuals, notes, circuit diagrams, contracts, background materials including reports, magazines, tests, and manufacturers' brochures]
[correspondence, including U.F.O. Investigator newsletter]
[article and newspaper clippings]
[circuit diagrams, notes, and correspondence]
[notes, reports, photograph, and drawings, including material from Animation Unlimited]
[correspondence, memos and notes on selling efforts, response charts, accounting records, and promotional materials]
[correspondence with UFO group]
[notes]
[correspondence, notes, memos, and newspaper clippings]
[Seminar on Wheels mailings, correspondence, notes, reports, articles, and Blue Hill Protestant Center annual reports]
[correspondence and notes]
[newspaper clippings and news releases]
[utility program manual for Whirlwind I computer]
[correspondence, notes, Friends Bulletin newsletter, material on Avon-at-Winnipesaukee Institute, brochures, and newspaper clippings]