Oral history interview with Willis K. Drake

Abstract

Drake, founder of Data Card Corporation, discusses his career from his employment with Engineering Research Associates (ERA) to his work with Data Card. He remembers his employment with ERA from 1947 to 1952 and his growing frustration with the firm after it was sold to Remington Rand in 1952. He credits James Rand with considerable vision for business applications of computers, but criticizes Remington-Rand's management for failing to coordinate the activities of ERA and an earlier acquisition, the Eckert-Mauchly Computer Company. He also relates the circumstances surrounding the formation of Control Data Corporation.