The first quarter century
Robert L. Ashenhurst · Communications of the ACM · 1983
tions was the second formal publication of the Association, the Journal having commenced publishing in 1954.Computing Reviews was inaugurated as part of Communications in 1960, and became a separate publication in 1961.The purpose of Communications was set forth by its first Editor-in-Chief, Alan J. Perlis, in an announcement on p. 1 of Vol. 1, No. 1, as follows:This new periodical is intended primarily for the rapid dissemination of information whose kind and quality will be of value to the membership of the Association.This was amplified in a further paragraph:While the publishing of news and notices is of undoubted value, it is hoped that the Communications will serve a more important purpose.Thus, this journal will provide space not elsewhere available for publishing worthwhile, but possibly fragmentary, developments in the use and understanding of computers, e.g., descriptions of computer programs, computer inspired techniques in numerical analysis, and educational efforts, to name a few.The Communications will also provide a forum for the Association's membership with the letters-to-the-Editor department.This department will be ideal for nourishing controversies that illuminate informed differences of opinion.