cbi00080a Control Data Corporation Records, 1946-1991. Finding Aid. Prepared by Archival Staff of the Charles Babbage Institute, 1991-1992, 2003-2006. University of Minnesota Libraries July 2006
University of Minnesota Libraries Minneapolis, MN 55455
EAD encoding by Karen Spilman, July 2006. English University of Minnesota Libraries. Charles Babbage Institute. [cbi] Control Data Corporation. Control Data Corporation records 1946-1991 approximately 500 boxes (approximately 350 cubic feet) The Control Data Corporation Records documents the company's operations, goals, plans, and products from its inception in 1957 to 1992. CBI 80 English Administrative Information Acquisition:

The majority of the records were given to the Charles Babbage Institute by the Ceridian Corporation in 1991.

 Access to materials:

Access to the collection is unrestricted.

 Copyright:

The Charles Babbage Institute 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).

 Preferred Citation:

Control Data Corporation Records (CBI 80), Charles Babbage Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.

Arrangement of Collection

The collection is arranged into 28 series: Acquisitions, Subsidiaries, and Joint Ventures, 1951-1991 Annual and Quarterly Reports, 1958-1991 Artifacts, circa 1960-1989 Audio, Film and Video Collection Computer-Based Education (CBE) and PLATO Courseware Control Data Photographic Society CO-OP Records, 1959-1968 Corporate Administration, 1957-1991 Historical Archives and Company History, 1957-2000 Corporate Identity, 1961-1987 Engineering, Research and Development, 1957-1986 Executive History Project Records (1980), 1957-1981 Executive Interviews, 1980-1986 Executive Papers, 1956-1991 Executive Papers - William C. Norris, 1946-1991 Facilities, 1959-1986 Financial Records, 1957-1991 Legal Records, 1952-1983 Marketing, Sales and Public Relations, 1959-1989 News Releases, 1957-1990 Newspaper and Magazine Articles, 1955-1987 Personnel Documents and Reports, 1957-1991 Photographs and Slides Planning Documents and Reports, 1957-1991 Product Literature, 1955-1989 Product Manuals, circa 1957-circa 1991 Research and Development Project Reports, 1959-1964 Serial Publications, 1959-1991

Historical Note

The Control Data Corporation was incorporated in Minnesota on 8 July 1957 to produce high-speed, scientific computers. The company was headed by William C. Norris, who had been central to the success of Engineering Research Associates, Inc., a St. Paul electronics firm that was responsible for producing Minnesota’s first digital computer. Control Data grew to become one of the top ten computer manufacturers in the world; it produced among the fastest computers of their day, including the CDC 6600, designed by Seymour Cray and generally considered the first supercomputer. The company became known for its agressive acquisition of other firms, culminating in the purchase of Commercial Credit Corporation in 1967. The company continued its growth until the 1980s when a number of factors began deteriorate Control Data’s position in the industry. In 1986, William Norris resigned as CEO. By 1992 the company had split into two firms: Ceridian Corporation and Control Data Systems, Inc.

Scope and Content Note

The Control Data Corporation Records documents the company's operations, goals, plans, and products from its inception in 1957 to 1992, and includes information about CDC's corporate philosophy and long-time president and CEO (1957-1986), William C. Norris.

Researchers should note that when CDC donated its corporate archives to the University of Minnesota in 1991, attorneys withheld several files for further review. These remain gaps in the collection. The collection is also lacking in its documentation from the last five to ten years of the company's operation.

 Index Terms

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.

Norris, William C., 1911- Control Data Corporation -- History -- Sources. Control Data Corporation -- Photograph collections. Computer industry -- United States -- History. Computers -- United States -- History.