United States and American History: 1946

About the history of the United States in 1946, the first computer ENIAC, the first meetings of the United Nations, Churchill coins the Iron Curtain, Atomic Energy Commission forms.

1946

--Calculation by computer began, at the University of Pennsylvania. Designed by J. Presper, Jr., and John Mauchly, the ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer) used 18,000 vacuum tubes in its system, with components spread around a 30'X50' room.

Jan. 10 The United Nations held its 1st session in London. After that meeting, it moved to Lake Success, N.Y., and then on to its permanent skyscraper home at East 43rd Street, New York City, in 1952.

Mar. Winston Churchill, speaking at West minster College, Fulton, Mo., coined the most famous propaganda phrase of the Cold War: "From Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic, an iron curtain has descended across the Continent."

July 7 The Roman Catholic Church canonized Mother Francis Xavier Cabrini. The founder the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was the 1st American to be elevated to this rank. Her feast day: December 22.

Aug. 1 The Atomic Energy Commission was created to promote peaceful application of atomic power.

Oct. 9 The Simmons Company of Petersburg, Va., offered an "electronic" blanket for sale. Cost to sleep the electric way: $39.50 each.

Nov. 12 The Exchange National Bank of Chicago offered a new service, called "Auto-bank." Motorists could drive directly to one of 10 windows where tellers sat behind bullet-proof glass. They used slide-out drawers to handle transactions.

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