Eiichi Goto

Inventor of the parametron computer, Goto made foundational contributions to early computing in Japan.

In 1954, when he was a graduate student of Professor Takahasi's Laboratory, Goto invented a majority logic element, the parametron, which utilized parameter excitation — that is, the oscillation phases of the LC circuit would settle in one of two stable states. Moreover, Goto invented dual frequency memory fit parametron circuits and word selection methods using error correcting codes. As the parametron and memory system seemed very promising, construction of the Parametron Computer was started in April 1957. The first Parametron Computer, PC-1, was completed in March 1958. Immediately after, he initiated the more advanced machine, PC-2, which was built by Fujitsu, Ltd.

Goto conducted research in various fields. His research on the parametron in his young days resulted in a Doctor's Degree from the University of Tokyo in March 1962. He served as Vice President of IFIP from 1971 to 1974, as a member of the steering board of the IPSJ several times, and was nominated as an Honorable Member of IPSJ in 1994.