DOCSLIB.ORG

Pat Hume Was Canada's Pioneer of Computer Programming

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Pat Hume Was Canada's Pioneer of Computer Programming OBITUARY Pat Hume was Canada’s pioneer of computer programming MICHAEL LENNICK (includes correction) Published Tuesday, Jul. 30 2013, 10:22 PM EDT Last updated Thursday, Aug. 01 2013, 4:48 PM EDT Pat Hume has been called a pioneer of Canadian computing – an oft-repeated description dating back to his 1952 work developing software for Canada’s first electronic computer, FERUT. Renowned as one of Canada’s innovators of computer science, he wrote his earliest programs out by hand on paper tape, which then had to be fed into the university’s massive vacuum tube computer for numerical processing. The former master of the University of Toronto’s Massey College, and writer and performer on some of the earliest episodes of the CBC show The Nature of Things, Prof. Hume was one of the university’s first faculty members to work with FERUT. In those days computers were vastly expensive, gymnasium-sized, vacuum-tube-laden monsters, designed and hand-built to order for the few universities and military organizations that could afford them. Having evolved from Second World War-era mechanical number-crunchers used to calculate gun trajectories, the first electronic computers, including ENIAC and MANIAC, were initially put to work processing subatomic reactions for the American hydrogen bomb project. Prof. Hume’s pioneering efforts were far more docile, directed toward the invention of programming and operating systems that would make the computer more of a universal tool. His research led directly to the development of some of the world’s earliest software, including TRANSCODE, a predecessor to modern computer programming. Prof. Hume died in Toronto on May 9 at the age of 90. He leaves his wife, Patricia Anne Hume (née Molyneux) – “Pat and Pat” were in their 60th year of marriage – children Stephen, Philip, Harriet and Mark, and five grandchildren. According to his colleague (and current master of Massey College), John Fraser, “Prof. Hume’s work was always flawless,” despite his having to write out endless and arcane input code by hand on long paper strips. The turnaround time for programming was actually faster in those early days using Prof. Hume’s method than it would be following the advent of more standardized input techniques, when software had to be sent out to be adapted to punch cards and then returned for uploading into the room-sized calculating machines. Despite ever-advancing automated software, Prof. Hume never lost the personal touch, nor his innate proficiency. His daughter Harriet handled the indexing and program testing on his hand-written programs and many textbooks. “They always checked out accurately on the first attempt,” she said. Prof. Hume wrote the books for the first generations of software engineers. In collaboration with R.C. Holt, he co-authored nine textbooks on programming language for Canadian high school and university students, while publishing numerous papers on topics including batch scheduling, data security, software engineering and systems analysis. In addition to his academic work, Prof. Hume believed in the democratization of information, particularly the latest research breakthroughs that could be difficult for non-professionals to grasp. “He had the ability to explain physics in plain language that made it clear and easy for anyone to follow,” said his daughter Harriet. His passionate need to share the wonders he’d uncovered led to a secondary, lifelong career as a popularizer of science. In 1958, Prof. Hume and his office mate, Donald Ivey, were asked whether they knew of anyone who could put together a concise yet entertaining live television show about physics. The two quickly volunteered for a side job that would eventually see them write and perform nearly 75 television programs and films between 1958 and 1966. Many of these programs aired as the earliest episodes of a show that continues to be popular today, CBC’s science series The Nature of Things. (Prof. Ivey became the series’ first host). Profs. Ivey and Hume became known informally as the Wayne and Shuster of science, and both were internationally recognized for their work. Awards included a silver medal from the Scientific Institute in Rome for their film Random Events and the prestigious Edison Award for best science education film of 1962 for Frames of Reference, now considered a classic in its genre. James Nairn Patterson Hume was born to Canadian parents in Brooklyn, N.Y., on March 17, 1923. When he was seven, his father lost his job in the Depression. Returning to Canada, the family settled in the picturesque town of Goderich, Ont. His daughter Harriet believes that living in a cramped house with 14 other relatives sparked in young Pat a curiosity about other people that would last throughout his life. “He loved people – his family most of all. He wanted to know all about everyone he met – where they lived, what they thought about any subject he could ask them. He found everybody absolutely fascinating.” In 1941, he started studying math and physics at the University of Toronto, graduating with his BA in 1945. He went on to earn both an MA and a PhD in physics by 1949 from U of T. After graduation he spent a year teaching at Rutgers University in New Jersey before rejoining the University of Toronto as an assistant professor of physics. The university would become his home base for the remainder of his academic career, leading to a full professorship in computer science with a cross appointment to physics in 1963. He served as associate dean of physical sciences for the School of Graduate Studies from 1968 to 1972, and chaired the department of computer science from 1975 to 1980. From 1981 to 1988, he was master of Massey College. As John Fraser observes, Prof. Hume found himself facing an incredibly daunting task when he took over after founding master Robertson Davies’s 18-year run. During his seven-year term, Prof. Hume changed the tenor of the job, blowing the whistle on profligate spending while expanding the membership of the college community among younger people. “Most important,” said Mr. Fraser, “was his ability to bring scientific discipline to an institution long known for literary pursuits.” Two of Prof. Hume’s sons became Junior Massey Fellows, while his granddaughter, Stephanie, is currently pursuing her masters in biomedical engineering, making the Humes the first three-generation Massey Fellowship family. Despite his long, remarkable and varied career, Prof. Hume was never one to boast of his accomplishments. His granddaughter Stephanie only became aware of his legacy when, by coincidence, the premiere episode of Frames of Reference was screened for her first-year physics class. Ms. Hume described her grandfather as “warm, caring, professional and wonderfully silly,” especially during get-togethers at the family cottage near Gravenhurst, Ont. “He would be the first one in the lake every morning, then he’d have pancakes on the griddle before anyone else was up.” Prof. Hume had his own technique for getting the rest of the family into the sometimes-frigid lake water. “He’d have us chant, ‘A one and a two and a grand shampoo!’ You’d be in the water before the chant was out.” Prof. Hume brought this sense of joy to everything he took on, from household chores (according to his daughter Harriet, he could make any activity fun), to his academic pursuits to the yearly musical shows he’d write, produce and perform in for the Arts and Letters Club of Toronto, where he served as president from 1976 through 1978. A Member of the Order of Canada, Prof. Hume was also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and recipient of many professional honours. He received the Sandford Fleming Award in 2001 and was recently awarded the Diamond Jubilee Medal. Prof. Hume travelled frequently and far with his wife, Pat, throughout his long retirement. He was a talented painter, a lifelong joy he had to relinquish when macular degeneration robbed him of his sight in his early 80s. Although he didn’t follow developments in his professional field to the same degree post-retirement, he was astonished by the rapid explosion of computer technology over the past few decades – an evolution in human development that he helped pioneer, though one he never saw coming. Editor's note: A earlier version of this obituary incorrectly said the family cottage was near Bolton, Ont. In fact, it is near Gravenhurst, Ont. It also said incorrectly he was a talented pianist. He did not play. Three comments about Mr. Hume were wrongly attributed to his son Mark when they should have been attributed to his daughter Harriet. The story said incorrectly that his granddaughter Stephanie became aware of his legacy when The Nature of Things was screened for a university class. In fact, it was Frames of Reference that was screened. The photo credit was not included. The picture was taken by Thomas Hull. .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • James Nairn Patterson Hume Fonds
    University of Toronto Archives and Records Management Services James Nairn Patterson Hume Fonds Prepared by: Marnee Gamble February 2008 © University of Toronto Archives and Records Management Services 2008 University of Toronto Archives J. N. Patterson Hume Fonds Table of Contents Biographical Sketch............................................................................................................ 2 Scope and Content .............................................................................................................. 3 Series 1 Biographical.................................................................................................... 4 Series 2 Education ........................................................................................................ 4 Series 2 Professional Correspondence.......................................................................... 4 Series 3 Publishing ....................................................................................................... 5 Series 4 Talks and Addresses ....................................................................................... 6 Series 5 Professional Activities .................................................................................... 7 Series 6 Teaching.......................................................................................................... 7 Series 7 Broadcasting and Film .................................................................................... 8 Series 8 Art and Letters Club.......................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Introduction to Programming in Turing
    Introduction to Programming in Turing First Edition - Second Printing J. N. P. Hume Holt Software Associates, Inc. Toronto, Canada © 2001 by the author Toronto, Ontario, Canada All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, in any way or by any means, without permission of the author. Publisher: HOLT SOFTWARE ASSOCIATES INC. 203 College St., Suite 305 Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5T 1P9 (416) 978-6476 1-800-361-8324 http://www.holtsoft.com ISBN: 0-921598-42-4 First Edition - Second Printing Printed in Canada by the University of Toronto Press Table of Contents PREFACE ............................................................................................. IX ACKNOWLEDGMENTS....................................................................... XV 1 COMPUTING ESSENTIALS ...........................................................1 1.1 Introduction.............................................................................2 1.2 A Brief History of Computer Hardware ...................................2 1.3 A Brief History of Programming ..............................................7 1.3.1 A New Way of Organizing Large Programs.......13 1.4 What is a Computer?............................................................14 1.4.1 The Central Processing Unit..............................15 1.4.2 Memory..............................................................16 1.4.3 Output Devices ..................................................18 1.5 Number Systems: Decimal and Binary .................................18 1.6 Hardware and
    [Show full text]
  • A Better University Residence As of the Contest Start Date
    40065699 Onwards A president’s valediction / Eyes Everywhere When governments watch / First Contact Life beyond Earth? Duddy and Me The making of Ted Kotcheff / Grousing with Grace The art of complaint / Flights of Peace Aid from the air Remember when you had no cares in this world? 2013 41 . 1 .. 2013 Arbor Awards When no thanks are expected, they are often the most deserved. Congratulations to the 2013 winners of the Arbor Awards for volunteer service. Winston Churchill once said: “What is the use of living, if it be not to strive for noble causes and to make this muddled world a better place for those who will live in ALUMNI TERM LIFE INSURANCE it after we are gone.” From the recent grad who volunteers with Hong Kong alumni to the Second World War veteran who leads our Remembrance Day ceremony, Arbor Award It’s the same feeling you get, young or not so young, when you know winners epitomize this spirit of volunteering. Since 1989, you’re protected — especially when you have people who count on you. the Arbors have recognized extraordinary individuals Consider Alumni Term Life Insurance, whether you’re looking for new for their generosity and service to the U of T community. coverage or adding to an existing one, and enjoy exclusive low rates The 2013 recipients are no exception. We salute them for you and your family. No worries. We’ve got you covered. for their loyalty. We thank them for enriching the U of T experience for our students and faculty, alumni and staff .
    [Show full text]
  • Masseynews 2009-2010 • Life at Massey College, Toronto, Ontario
    L I F E A T M A s s E y c o L LE g E • 2 0 0 9 - 2 0 1 0 MasseyNews Julie Payette returns to Massey here are Many MeMoraBLe Photography by Anna Luengo evenings at Massey College, but few more memorablet than the one on november 5, 2009, when astronaut Julie payette, distinguished and loyal alumna (’88), visited with four of her co-pilots from Space Shuttle Endeavour, whom she introduced to the College community. the eagerly anticipated evening was described by Master John Fraser in his pre-event notice as a “complicated” one (see page 36), and it included pre-dinner drinks and a film in the Common room narrated live by the astronauts, as well as dinner in ondaatje hall. also that evening, the College’s silver teaspoon – which, as we had reported in our last issue, had travelled with Ms. payette into outer space in the summer of 2008 – was formally returned to us. Fittingly, kitchen staff member david Landaverde accepted the spoon back on behalf of the College. he had Julie Payette and Master John Fraser originally proposed the spoon as a suitable in the Common Room companion for the Endeavour trip and had gone, This huge crane appeared beside – sometimes along with then retiring pat Kennedy, to Cape College? it is the most special place i know and even above – the College this year as the Canaveral for the launch. the spoon, beautifully we are all lucky to be associated with it.” nine-storey Martin Prosperity Institute of the framed by the Canadian Space agency, now holds another special moment came when Senior Rotman School of Management, scheduled a special place of honour in the Common room.
    [Show full text]
  • Beatrice Helen Worsley: Canada's Female Computer Pioneer
    Beatrice Helen Worsley: Canada’s Female Computer Pioneer Scott M. Campbell University of Toronto When Beatrice Worsley died in 1972, Canada lost a computer pioneer and a witness to several great moments in computing history. This biography aims to provide insight into Worsley’s obscure, but remarkable and all too short, career. In the past decade, several authors have begun Oaxaca, which her grandparents had estab- to explore the history of computing in Canada. lished in the 1850s. Around 1917, the mill was A special 1994 issue (vol. 16, no. 2, April–June) destroyed by rebels, and the family moved to of the IEEE Annals of the History of Computing El Salto where Joel rose to general manager of was dedicated to the theme, and John the Rio Grande group’s CIMSA mills. Charles Vardalas’s book, The Computer Revolution in and Beatrice were home schooled by their Canada, (MIT Press, 2001) examined the devel- mother, and the children spent many years iso- opment of a Canadian computer industry. lated and physically cut off from the surround- When discussions turn to early developments ing community for general safety reasons. They at the University of Toronto, one name that fre- learned Spanish, although not fluently. quently appears is Beatrice Worsley. Although many other computer pioneers still recall her Early days quiet personality, complete accounts of her In 1929, Joel and his wife left Mexico for career and life are more disjoint. Toronto, Canada, primarily for their children’s In fact, her experiences and accomplishments education. In Toronto, Charles attended Upper were remarkable.
    [Show full text]
  • Massey News2017
    Massey 2017 2018 News Principal Segal ending five years of service 2 2017 CBC Massey Lectures 7 Celebrating Massey’s partnership with First Nations peoples 17 Symposium addresses the social implications of data-driven decision making 21 Connecting with fellow activists at Massey College 27 From the Don of Hall 47 Life at Massey College What's inside From the Principal 1 MASSEY COLLEGE is a graduate students’ residential community Degrees awarded 1 affiliated with, but independent from, the University of Toronto. Principal’s Announcement 2 It provides a unique, congenial, and intellectual environment Announcing new title 4 Contact us Junior Fellows’ Lecture Series 4 for graduate students of distinguished ability in all disciplines MASSEY COLLEGE to share in a rich and stimulating community. News from the Masters Emeriti 5 4 Devonshire Place Massey Grand Rounds 6 Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 2E1 CBC Massey Lectures 7 Gala Dinner: Carol Off 8 Y SINCEREST THANKS to the many < masseycollege.ca > Press Club evenings 8 From the Massey community members and friends < www.facebook.com/MasseyCollege > William Southam Journalism Fellows 9 Editor who contributed to this issue in one way M THE PRINCIPAL Journalism Outreach update 10 or another — the Principal and the Officers of the College; Masters Emeriti John Pearson’s four faces of peace 10 Hugh Segal Fraser and Ann Saddlemyer; Emily Mockler, Programs and Events Coordinator; Corporation Fellows’ Gaudy Night 11 Tel: 416-978-8448 Library report 12 Darlene Naranjo, Catering Manager; Elena Ferranti,
    [Show full text]
  • Beatrice Helen Worsley: Canada's Female
    Beatrice Helen Worsley: Canada’s Female Computer Pioneer Scott M. Campbell University of Toronto When Beatrice Worsley died in 1972, Canada lost a computer pioneer and a witness to several great moments in computing history. This biography aims to provide insight into Worsley’s obscure, but remarkable and all too short, career. In the past decade, several authors have begun Oaxaca, which her grandparents had estab- to explore the history of computing in Canada. lished in the 1850s. Around 1917, the mill was A special 1994 issue (vol. 16, no. 2, April–June) destroyed by rebels, and the family moved to of the IEEE Annals of the History of Computing El Salto where Joel rose to general manager of was dedicated to the theme, and John the Rio Grande group’s CIMSA mills. Charles Vardalas’s book, The Computer Revolution in and Beatrice were home schooled by their Canada, (MIT Press, 2001) examined the devel- mother, and the children spent many years iso- opment of a Canadian computer industry. lated and physically cut off from the surround- When discussions turn to early developments ing community for general safety reasons. They at the University of Toronto, one name that fre- learned Spanish, although not fluently. quently appears is Beatrice Worsley. Although many other computer pioneers still recall her Early days quiet personality, complete accounts of her In 1929, Joel and his wife left Mexico for career and life are more disjoint. Toronto, Canada, primarily for their children’s In fact, her experiences and accomplishments education. In Toronto, Charles attended Upper were remarkable.
    [Show full text]
  • Science Culture: Where Canada Stands
    SCIENCE CULTURE: WHERE CANADA STANDS Expert Panel on the State of Canada’s Science Culture Science Advice in the Public Interest SCIENCE CULTURE: WHERE CANADA STANDS Expert Panel on the State of Canada’s Science Culture ii Science Culture: Where Canada Stands THE COUNCIL OF CANADIAN ACADEMIES 180 Elgin Street, Suite 1401, Ottawa, ON, Canada K2P 2K3 Notice: The project that is the subject of this report was undertaken with the approval of the Board of Governors of the Council of Canadian Academies. Board members are drawn from the Royal Society of Canada (RSC), the Canadian Academy of Engineering (CAE), and the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS), as well as from the general public. The members of the expert panel responsible for the report were selected by the Council for their special competencies and with regard for appropriate balance. This report was prepared for the Government of Canada in response to a request from the Minister of State (Science and Technology) on behalf of the Canada Science and Technology Museums Corporation, Natural Resources Canada, and Industry Canada. Any opinions, findings, or conclusions expressed in this publication are those of the authors, the Expert Panel on the State of Canada’s Science Culture, and do not necessarily represent the views of their organizations of affiliation or employment. Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication Science Culture : Where Canada Stands / The Expert Panel on the State of Canada’s Science Culture. Issued also in French under title: Culture scientifique. Includes bibliographical references and index. Issued in print and electronic formats. ISBN 978-1-926558-91-2 (bound).
    [Show full text]