The earliest history of computer-aided optical design on large computers: the previously classified work by James G. Baker 1945-1954

摘要

Optical design has always been conducted on the leading edge of computing hardware. In fact, the first significant run on the first large scale computer was made by James G. Baker, in 1945. Recently, a rare, complete set of reports on the earliest work to adapt optical design to large computers surfaced. This paper discusses specifically the early work aimed at automated optical design that is documented in these reports.