John Pasta
Encyclopedia
John R. Pasta was a computer scientist
who is remembered today for the Fermi–Pasta–Ulam experiment, a result much discussed among physicists
and researchers in dynamical systems and chaos theory
, and as the head of the department of Computer Science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
from 1964 to 1970.
. During the depression Pasta was forced to drop out of the City College and find work, eventually being drafted into the Army during World War II, receiving the Bronze Star
.
Following the war, Pasta was able to return to school at the City College through the GI Bill. Eventually receiving his PhD
in theoretical physics
from New York University
in 1951. That same year he worked at Los Alamos National Laboratory
.
In 1952, working under Nicholas Metropolis
on the MANIAC I
, John Pasta aided in the construction of an early computer that specialized in calculations around weapons design.
After working on the MANIAC I, Pasta continued on to work in the project he is most known for, the Fermi-Pasta-Ulam experiment.
After working alongside Enrico Fermi
and Stanislaw Marcin Ulam
Pasta went on to work for the Atomic Energy Commission as the only computer expert, eventually developing the branch of mathematics and computers to an entire division.
at the Department of Computer Science
at the University of Illinois
, and later became the head of the department. He died in 1984.
Computer science
Computer science or computing science is the study of the theoretical foundations of information and computation and of practical techniques for their implementation and application in computer systems...
who is remembered today for the Fermi–Pasta–Ulam experiment, a result much discussed among physicists
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
and researchers in dynamical systems and chaos theory
Chaos theory
Chaos theory is a field of study in mathematics, with applications in several disciplines including physics, economics, biology, and philosophy. Chaos theory studies the behavior of dynamical systems that are highly sensitive to initial conditions, an effect which is popularly referred to as the...
, and as the head of the department of Computer Science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign is a large public research-intensive university in the state of Illinois, United States. It is the flagship campus of the University of Illinois system...
from 1964 to 1970.
Early life
Pasta was raised in New York City and did work as a real estate title examiner before becoming a New York City police officer from 1941 to 1942. Pasta followed his interest in physics and attended the City College of New YorkCity College of New York
The City College of the City University of New York is a senior college of the City University of New York , in New York City. It is also the oldest of the City University's twenty-three institutions of higher learning...
. During the depression Pasta was forced to drop out of the City College and find work, eventually being drafted into the Army during World War II, receiving the Bronze Star
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
.
Following the war, Pasta was able to return to school at the City College through the GI Bill. Eventually receiving his PhD
PHD
PHD may refer to:*Ph.D., a doctorate of philosophy*Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*PHD finger, a protein sequence*PHD Mountain Software, an outdoor clothing and equipment company*PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
in theoretical physics
Theoretical physics
Theoretical physics is a branch of physics which employs mathematical models and abstractions of physics to rationalize, explain and predict natural phenomena...
from New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
in 1951. That same year he worked at Los Alamos National Laboratory
Los Alamos National Laboratory
Los Alamos National Laboratory is a United States Department of Energy national laboratory, managed and operated by Los Alamos National Security , located in Los Alamos, New Mexico...
.
1951-1963
At Los Alamos National Laboratory Pasta would begin his work on his most famous projects.In 1952, working under Nicholas Metropolis
Nicholas Metropolis
Nicholas Constantine Metropolis was a Greek American physicist.-Work:Metropolis received his B.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in physics at the University of Chicago...
on the MANIAC I
MANIAC I
The MANIAC was an early computer built under the direction of Nicholas Metropolis at the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory...
, John Pasta aided in the construction of an early computer that specialized in calculations around weapons design.
After working on the MANIAC I, Pasta continued on to work in the project he is most known for, the Fermi-Pasta-Ulam experiment.
After working alongside Enrico Fermi
Enrico Fermi
Enrico Fermi was an Italian-born, naturalized American physicist particularly known for his work on the development of the first nuclear reactor, Chicago Pile-1, and for his contributions to the development of quantum theory, nuclear and particle physics, and statistical mechanics...
and Stanislaw Marcin Ulam
Stanislaw Marcin Ulam
Stanisław Marcin Ulam was a renowned mathematician of Polish-Jewish origin. He participated in America's Manhattan Project, originated the Teller–Ulam design of thermonuclear weapons, invented the Monte Carlo method of computation, and proposed the idea of nuclear pulse propulsion...
Pasta went on to work for the Atomic Energy Commission as the only computer expert, eventually developing the branch of mathematics and computers to an entire division.
1964-1984
In 1964, Pasta became a research professor of physicsPhysics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
at the Department of Computer Science
UIUC Engineering Campus
The Engineering Campus is the colloquial name for the Bardeen Quadrangle and the Beckman Quadrangle at the College of Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.-Bardeen Quadrangle:...
at the University of Illinois
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign is a large public research-intensive university in the state of Illinois, United States. It is the flagship campus of the University of Illinois system...
, and later became the head of the department. He died in 1984.