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The machine was a binary computer with a 40 bit word, storing two 20 bit instructions in each word. The memory was 1024 words. Negative numbers were represented in " two's complement" format. Two registers: the Accumulator (AC) and Multiplier/Quotient (MQ).

While the original design called for using a type of vacuum tubes called RCA Selectron tubes for the memory, problems with the development of these complex tubes forced the switch to Williams tubes.

IAS machine derivatives

Plans for the IAS machine were widely distributed to any school or company interested in computing machines, resulting in the construction of fifteen derivative (but incompatible) computers referred to as "IAS machines".

Some of these "IAS machines" were:

• AVIDAC (Argonne)
• CYCLONE (Iowa State University)
• ILLIAC I (University of Illinois)
• JOHNNIACThe JOHNNIAC or John (v. N eumann) I ntegrator and A utomatic C omputer an early computer built by RAND, was based on the Institute for Advanced Study (IAS) architecture developed by John von Neumann and named in his honor. As with all computers of its er (RAND)
• MANIAC IThe MANIAC I M athematical A nalyzer, N umerical I ntegrator, and C omputer , an early computer built by Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory, was based on the Institute for Advanced Study (IAS) architecture developed by John von Neumann. As with all computer (Los Alamos)
• MISTICThe MISTIC or Mi chigan St ate I ntegral C omputer an early computer built by Michigan State University, was based on the Institute for Advanced Study (IAS) architecture developed by John von Neumann. As with all computers of its era, it was a one of a ki (Michigan State University)
• ORACLEThe ORACLE or O ak R idge A utomatic C omputer and L ogical E ngine an early computer built by Oak Ridge National Laboratory, was based on the Institute for Advanced Study (IAS) architecture developed by John von Neumann. As with all computers of its era, (Oak Ridge)
• ORDVACThe ORDVAC or Or dnance D iscrete V ariable A utomatic C omputer an early computer built by the University of Illinois for the Ballistic Research Laboratory at Aberdeen Proving Ground, was based on the Institute for Advanced Study (IAS) architecture devel (Aberdeen Proving Ground)
• SILLIACThe SILLIAC S ydney version of the Ill inois A utomatic C omputer i. the S ydney ILLIAC , an early computer built by the University of Sydney, Australia, was based on the Institute for Advanced Study (IAS) architecture developed by John von Neumann. As wi (University of Sydney)
• WEIZACThe WEIZAC or Weiz mann A utomatic C omputer an early computer built in 1954 by the Weizmann Institute in Israel, was based on the Institute for Advanced Study (IAS) architecture developed by John von Neumann. As with all computers of its era, it was a on (Weizmann Institute)