Fonds F0158 - Harry L. Nelson fonds.

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Identity area

Reference code

CA ACU SPC F0158

Title

Harry L. Nelson fonds.

Date(s)

  • 1960-1986 (Creation)

Level of description

Fonds

Extent and medium

1.56 m

Context area

Name of creator

Biographical history

Computer programmer, mathematician and editor Harry L. Nelson was born in Topeka, Kansas, on January 8, 1932. Attended local schools and graduated from Harvard College, A.B. Math, in 1953. Served two years in U.S. army. Received M.A. in math from Kansas University in 1957. Taught, worked at several jobs in industry and became a computer programmer at University of California's Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Retired in 1991. Discovered, with David Slowinski, the then largest known prime number in 1978. Editor of the Journal of Recreational Mathematics for five years; currently on the editorial board. Became associated with the Cray Blitz computer chess programming endeavor with Robert Hyatt. Cray Blitz won the Computer Chess World Championship in 1983 and retained the title until 1989. Founded the Minimax Game Corporation in 1972, whose present charter is to serve as a "think tank" for games; has devoted full time to the puzzle and game business since 1992. There are currently 20 mechanical puzzles and/or games on the U.S. market for which he has made substantial contributions.

Archival history

Donated by Harry L. Nelson in 1994

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

Content and structure area

Scope and content

Fonds consists of correspondence between H.L. Nelson and various persons relating to puzzles and games and to Journal of Recreational Mathematics during period when H.L. Nelson was editor of the journal.

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

Accruals

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Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

No restrictions on access.

Conditions governing reproduction

Language of material

Script of material

Language and script notes

Text in English.

Physical characteristics and technical requirements

Finding aids

File level inventory available at repository.

Allied materials area

Existence and location of originals

Existence and location of copies

Related units of description

Fonds is part of the Eugène Strens Recreational Mathematics Collection.

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Notes area

Alternative identifier(s)

ckey

3211840

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Dates of creation revision deletion

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