User:Kidthornton/Dial Center for Computer Sciences

Dial Center for Computer Sciences ... Architectural History

The Des Moines architectural firm of Charles Herbert and Associates designed the brick building. These same people designed the University Medical Center. [1] The Dial Center contains 6,918 square feet of floor space. The building has movable walls to allow the expansion of classroom space. [2]

In 1975, the building was renovated and an addition was made to the building. This was an important decision and was a result of a number of factors.

In the main server room, there are removable floor tiles. These tiles were specifically installed to house wiring for all of the computer functions in the Dial Center. These were specifically for use by the computers when connected to the mainframe, but now also run phone lines, network services, etc.

In the same room, there is an industrial air-conditional that is specific to just that room. The issue is that the computer room has to be kept at a specific temperature to ensure the functionality of all components.

In the main classroom, there is a separating wall to create two individual classrooms. At the far end of the classroom, there is said to be a two-layered floor. Back when computers worked from a single mainframe, computing power was determined by how big your computer hardware was. The floor in this room supposedly has a layer of concrete on top of sand on top of another layer of concrete. This would allow for even more computing space. However, now smaller often means faster, so the second level is obsolete. [3]

Academic Intentions

"It is particularly appropriate that this building was made possible by the company that has pioneered in the field of tele-communications in the consumer finance industry." - Dr. Paul F. Sharp, Drake University President (1966-1971)

"Dial has been computerizing its operations. We have experienced what a computer can do in providing better service and control of data.  With this new facility, we know that Drake University will be able to extend its record of fine service to its students, its faculty and the community." - Ellis I. Levitt (April, 1971) [4]

Early on, the Dial Center housed terminals for use by students and faculty. These terminals linked directly into the mainframe. After time, these terminals were replaced with PC labs. Labs expanded to other parts of campus and, eventually, were removed from the Dial Center completely.

In the mid 2000s, the Dial Center used to hold virtual reality and computer graphics courses for the Departments of Computer Sciences and Visual Arts. This was the height of gaming design in major Universities as well as the peak of academic usage within the Dial Center. [5]

The facility currently serves as a research tool for faculty and graduate students and compiles data for use by Drake administration.

Dial Foundation

The $311,000 Dial Center was made possible through a $150,000 gift from the Dial Foundation of Des Moines and a $25,000 personal gift from Ellis I. Levitt, president of the Foundation, Chairman of the Board of Dial Financial Corporation, and trustee of Drake University. [6]

The Dial Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Dial Financial Corporation. From 1897, the Dial Corporation has made installment loans and purchased installment sale contracts. In 1970, its net earnings were over $4,800,00, the stockholders’ equity and its subsidiaries amounted to over $41,000,000. In 1966, the corporation launched Project SWIFT, an advanced data processing (at the time), where each branch had a terminal that was connected to the computer in the home office by a telephone line. [7]

Additional funds were received through the Higher Education Facilities Act of 1963. [8]

Ellis I. Levitt

Ellis I. Levitt, Chairman of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee of the Dial Financial Corporation, was born January 7, 1893, in Des Moines. He attended the University of Iowa and began his career with Dial in 1912. He became Secretary and a Member of the Board in 1924. In 1929, he became Vice-President of the corporation. He became President in 1946 and Chairman of the Board in 1951. In 1962, he became Chief Executive Officer. He became its President in 1969.

Levitt and his wife were married October 6, 1920. They have a daughter, Mrs. Madelyn L. Glazer, and a son, Richard S., who is Treasurer of the Dial Foundation and Executive Vice-President of the Corporation.

Levitt is a trustee of Drake University and the Des Moines Art Center. He is also a member of the board of directors of the Valley Bank G Trust Company, an adviser to Mercy Hospital. [9]

Computer History

In 1971, the center housed a Honeywell 1200 computer with a printer, four tape units and two disc components. The Honeywell 1200 was used by the University to keep track of financial records and was used primarily by the administrative offices. [10]

In 1973, the center, under the direction of Associate Director for Academic Computer Services Dr. Charles Cleveland, began searching for a replacement for their Honeywell 1200 computer. Also under consideration was a remote job entry station, which would enable students to run their computer programs from a station closer to the center of campus. [11]

In 1980, the center decided to purchase a VAX-730 computer and a Honeywell-60 Series computer because of the need to replace the current equipment; leased by Control Data Corp. Additionally, they decided to fill in the interior courtyard to create more energy efficiency. The VAX-780 was to be used for academic use by the faculty and students. The Honeywell-60 Series was to be used for administrative purposes, including registration, financial aid, admissions, grade reports and alumni reports. [12]

Students, faculty, and staff controlled the computers through a process called terminals. Terminals were made of computer screens with a keyboard attached to it. These terminals connected directly to the main computer, or mainframe, to transfer simple text. Graphics were minimal, as the computers were not used for much besides inputting information by faculty, staff, and students practicing writing code. There were twelve terminals around the Drake University campus in 1984. The majority of these resided in Aliber Hall. Four of these were in labs and six more were in classrooms.

In the early 80s, a few personal computers were on campus. By 1984, there were less than ten or twelve and almost a hundred by the end of 1985.

In the spring of 1986, Drake University announced that its computer of choice would be the Macintosh +. To start, Drake bought 200 personal computers. About 100 of these went into the computer labs in the Dial Center and around campus. These, effectively, replaced the terminal labs. The rest of the PCs went to staff and faculty. At one point, there was even a room in the Dial center that was turned into a computer store. By 1987, almost every faculty and staff member had received a computer.

In 1990, Drake University started up a program that rented Macintosh computers to students in their Residence Halls. Beforehand, students had to cycle through the few computers that resided in certain lab areas. Through this system, the students could rent a computer for use in their own dorm room directly from Drake University. The Dial Center provided the personal computers and serviced them as part of the rent. The late 90s phased the program phased out because most students were bringing their own PCs with them. [13]

Current Capabilities

Currently, the Dial Center for Computer Sciences holds a number of responsibilities. The mainframe, or server, of the University is controlled and maintained in this building. Additionally, the school's website, financial records, academic records, and networking services (internet connection) are housed here. [14]