The Calculation of Atomic Structures
YEAR: 1957
ITEM: Book
COMPANY: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
COUNTRY: UK
IN OUR COLLECTION: Yes
The Calculation of Atomic Structures by Douglas Hartree is a practical guide on how to map out the electrons spinning around an atom. Instead of just talking about quantum physics in theory, this book gives a step-by-step math recipe to calculate exactly where electrons are likely to be. Because atoms with lots of electrons are too complicated to solve with standard math, Hartree explains a clever workaround where you guess the electrons' positions, calculate their electrical forces, and repeat the math until the answers stop changing.
As my daughter would say, "Why do I care?"
This book and its author completely changed how scientists used technology to solve big mysteries. Hartree was one of the first people to realize that these grueling physics math problems could be handled more efficiently by early digital brains, and he even helped program some of the world's very first computers, like the ENIAC. His math shortcut laid the groundwork for modern computational physics, meaning the software we use today to design new medicines, simulate space flight, or create new tech materials started with his ideas.
Sorry, no images have yet been entered. As we get more volunteers/interns we will be adding these images.
If you know the location of any other of these items, please let us know by contacting us at Director@TheComputerChurch.com .
OUR DEFINITIONS OF RARITY
One of a Kind: Only known existing item.
Exceedingly Rare: Only 2 to 10 known to exist.
Very Rare: Only 11 to 25 are known to exist.
Rare: Only 26 to 50 are known to exist.
Difficult: Difficult to find.
Available:Can be commonly be purchased.
Unknown: We cannot make a determination.
(For comparison: Many people consider the Apple-1 computer to be rare. As of 2025 there are 92 confirmed and probable Apple-1 computers.)
A Personal Story
This important work had a local connection to both Chester County and Delaware County. According to a blurb on the front of the dust jacket, the content of this book is Based on lectures given under the auspices of the William Pyle Philips Fund of Haverford College, 1955.
Haverford College is a beautiful campus. I lived just a block away when I taught at Villanova University and would go for a walk on Haverford's campus or wander over on a Sunday afternoon in the summer to watch the cricket match that had moved from the Buck Lane Park in the early 1980s. Together with Bryn Mawr College and Swarthmore College, Haverford was part of the Quaker Consortium of liberal arts colleges. Hartree also lectured at Princeton University that same year in addition to Haverford.
As a Professor Emeritus of West Chester University, I am happy to point out that William Pyle Philips was the son of West Chester University's longest serving President, George Philips, for whom Philips Memorial Hall is named. George Philips was friends with the President of Haverford College, Isaac Sharpless, and enrolled his son William at Haverford. It is likely no coincidence that one of the streets on the edge of WCU's campus is named Sharpless Street.
As a former President of the Faculty Senate at WCU, I am not quite sure how George explained to his West Chester faculty that he was sending his son to another university!
We are still building. This feature will be ready by the end of 2026.
CONNECT WITH US
Volunteers & Donors
-
Volunteers
Thanks to our volunteer Angels
Come join us in building our Museum!
We can always use your help. -
Interns
Variety of internships for University, Community College and High Schools students
