The Philadelphia Century

I shouldn't have to be the one to tell you this, but your top moment #4 is incorrect. The ENIAC was NOT the first computer. Beginning in 1939, John Atanasoff, a mathematics and physics professor at Iowa State College (now Iowa State University)hired an electrical engineering student named Clifford Berry to assist him with the development of the first electronic, digital computer. For two years they worked on the computer, which was subsequently stored in the basement of the Physics Building, until the U.S. became involved in the war in late 1941. A patent attorney was working on the patent for the invention, but the work was never completed. Although the ENIAC was the first computer to be patented, that patent was voided in the 1973 case, Sperry Rand vs. Honeywell, as a derivative of the Atanasoff-Berry Computer (the ABC). Historians give John Atanasoff and Clifford Berry credit for inventing the first electronic computer. Unfortunately, during the war, Iowa State College needed

...storage space and dismantled the computer. However, there are still photographs. Your article misleads people into thinking the University of Pennsylvania was the first to develop the electronic computer. You should do a retraction.

I was sickened and saddened when I read your magazine this month, I've cancelled my subscription due to the fact that mumia abul jamal's picture is on the cover. Although I agree with this being a top moment that shaped our city, a picture of Daniel Faulkner would have been much more suitable. The police have protected and kept us safe long before your magazine began. More recently the police in our city are losing there lives at an alarming rate. The men and women of the Philadelphia Police department will continue to do there job protecting the citizens of this city. I as the wife of an officer will spread the word with every means necessary to cancel, boycott and not buy your magazine, we have a very strong supportive police network in this city. Have a nice day and Justice for Daniel Faulkner!

You've made mostly logical choices for your list. At least a couple of mine really fell under yours: the clearing of Independence Mall really falls under Ed Bacon taking over the Planning Commission; Steve Poses opening Frog falls under George Perrier opening Le Bec Fin. On the other hand, thanks for choosing the A's as I did. After nearly 80 years, our most winning and talented team, a sad commentary on what is now and might have been if somebody(Charlie Finlay?) kept the A's here. Leopold Stokowski becoming music director of the Philadelhia Orchestra in 1912. He is credited for the Philadelphia Sound. According to their website, they were the first to make electrical recording and to have their own radio program. Ormandy may have had firsts, but he had help.

Yo! becomming the trademark Philadelphia greeting--whenever that was(please reprint the poem from a few years back).