Heinz Zemanek interview: December 12, 1972
Henry S. Tropp · 1999
Heinz Zemanek was born January 1, 1920, in Vienna, Austria. He studied low-voltage technology at the Technical University in Vienna and received his Dipl. Ing., in 1944. He received his doctorate in engineering from the same institution in 1959. During the World War II, Zemanek was a lecturer for the Army Communications School and Radar Research, German Army from 1939-1945 and finished his studies. Because of his association with the German Army he was sent to Greece from 1941 to 1943 to work on telephone and telex lines. After leaving Greece, Zemanek joined the German Acceleration Institute where he checked electronic equipment against accelerations which occurred in V1's, and V2's. He also joined a project on light sensitive anti-aircraft shell equipment. He ultimately left this work in search of more suitable diploma (doctorate) work. Comments on the atmosphere after the war and the British and American investigation into individuals associated with the German Acceleration Institute and German projects related to radar development. In 1947, Zemanek became an assistant professor at the Technical University, Vienna. His interests were in telegraphy and pulse technology. He would remain at the Technical University until 1961. During his time Zemanek went to France on a French Government scholarship from 1948-1949. It was in France that Zemanek had his first contact with the computer. When Zemanek returned from France he commenced research on digital communications. Comments on his research and literature reviews of the computer field, particularly articles written in English. By 1954, Zemanek announced plans to build a machine in Vienna. This machine would be a fully transistorized computer called MAILUFTERL. Zemanek discusses the design and development of the machine. This interview includes a chronological time table of the MAILUFTREL. Colleagues mentioned include Konrad Zuse and George Stibitz.