Talk:William Norris

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This should be disambiguated. There is also an author William Norris Danny 01:38 Feb 18, 2003 (UTC)

Created William Norris (disambiguation) today and started a stub for another William Norris that I know about. slambo 21:54, Feb 9, 2005 (UTC)

The page for Control Data has the much larger cirrect figure of $600 million in the decree, and not "tens of millions." --enm 230 AM 15 May 2004


[edit] Digital Century InOp URL (Deleted)

[edit] CBI Oral History Archives

Abstract: Norris was a founding vice president of Engineering Research Associates (ERA). He later became head of the Univac Division of the Remington Rand before founding and becoming president and chief executive officer of Control Data Corporation (CDC) in 1957.

Norris begins by describing his employment before World War II, his civilian career with the Navy, and his commission in the Naval Reserve. He then discusses his work with Communications Supplementary Activities-Washington. Norris' description of the formation and operations of ERA comprise over half of the interview.

Topics include: the roles of Howard Engstrom, John E. Parker, C. B. Tompkins, and Northwestern Aeronautical in the formation of ERA; the influence of the Whirlwind project; government contracts held by ERA; magnetic drums; and contract negotiations with James Birkenstock of International Business Machines.

In the second half of the interview Norris discusses the ERA 1101, ERA 1102, and ERA 1103 computers, the acquisition of ERA by Remington Rand, the Univac File computer, his work as head of the Univac Division, and the formation of CDC.
RJBurkhart 17:16, 22 January 2006 (UTC)


The Digital Century article (archived) apparently contains an incorrect birthdate of July 16, 1911. According to Norris's bio at the University of St. Thomas, he was born July 14, 1911. This date is consistent with the birthdate of his twin sister Willa Norris as stated in her obituary.
192.18.101.5 15:13, 25 July 2006 (UTC)