# Clementine (computer) > first scientific computer in Argentina **Wikidata**: [Q5772493](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5772493) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/clementine-computer ## Summary Clementine (known as "Clementina" in Spanish) was the first scientific computer in Argentina. Installed at the Calculus Institute and owned by the Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences at the University of Buenos Aires (UBA), it operated from November 1960 until 1971, marking a foundational milestone in Argentine computing history. ## Key Facts - **Classification**: Computer — a general-purpose device for performing arithmetic or logical operations - **Historical distinction**: First scientific computer in Argentina - **Country**: Argentina - **Location**: Calculus Institute - **Owner**: Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences (Universidad de Buenos Aires - UBA) - **Service entry**: 24 November 1960 - **Operational start**: 1961 - **Operational end**: 1971 - **Physical characteristics**: Occupied an entire room; weighed approximately 500 kg - **Capabilities**: Scientific computation; could generate melodies - **Wikipedia presence**: Spanish language edition (eswiki) - **Wikidata entity ID**: Q ID associated with this entity - **Google Knowledge Graph ID**: /g/121p79km ## FAQs ### Q: What was Clementine? Clementine was the first scientific computer in Argentina, installed at the Calculus Institute. It was a general-purpose machine capable of performing arithmetic and logical operations for scientific research. ### Q: When did Clementine operate? The computer entered service on 24 November 1960, began full operations in 1961, and remained in use until 1971. ### Q: Where was Clementine located? Clementine was housed at the Calculus Institute in Argentina and owned by the Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences at the University of Buenos Aires (UBA). ### Q: What made Clementine significant? As the first scientific computer in Argentina, Clementina represented a breakthrough for Argentine research capabilities, enabling automated calculations that previously had to be performed manually. ### Q: What were the physical characteristics of Clementine? The machine occupied an entire room and weighed approximately 500 kg, reflecting the scale of early computing hardware. ## Why It Matters Clementine represents the dawn of computational science in Argentina. Before its installation, Argentine researchers lacked access to automated electronic computation, forcing reliance on manual calculations or foreign computing resources. By bringing a scientific computer to the Calculus Institute, the Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences at UBA enabled local scientists to perform complex calculations in-house, accelerating research across physics, mathematics, engineering, and other disciplines. The computer's decade-long operational lifespan (1960–1971) coincided with a transformative period in global computing, bridging the era of room-sized machines and the emergence of more compact, powerful systems. Clementine's ability to generate melodies also demonstrated the versatility of early computers beyond pure number-crunching, hinting at broader applications in digital audio and human-computer interaction. As a first-of-its-kind installation in Argentina, Clementina laid the groundwork for the country's subsequent development in computer science education, research infrastructure, and technological independence. It remains a landmark in Latin American computing history. ## Notable For - **First scientific computer in Argentina**: Established the foundation for computational research in the country - **Pioneering institution**: Operated under the Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences (UBA), one of Argentina's most prestigious academic units - **Physical scale**: Occupied an entire room and weighed 500 kg — emblematic of early mainframe computing - **Multifunctionality**: Capable of scientific computation and melody generation, demonstrating early creative computing applications - **Decade of service**: Operational from 1960 to 1971, spanning a critical era in computing evolution - **Cultural recognition**: Subject of Spanish-language Wikipedia coverage and referenced in Argentine media as a historic milestone ## Body ### Definition and Classification Clementine (Spanish: Clementina) is classified as a computer — defined as a general-purpose device for performing arithmetic or logical operations under the control of software. As with all computers, it combined hardware (physical components) with software (non-tangible instructions) to process data and execute tasks. ### Historical Context and Service Timeline Clementina's service entry occurred on **24 November 1960**, with formal operations commencing in **1961**. The computer remained in active use until **1971**, providing approximately one decade of computational service to the Argentine scientific community. This operational period placed Clementina firmly within the early electronic computing era, which began around 1945 with the first working machines. During this time, computers transitioned from experimental prototypes to practical research tools. ### Institutional Home Clementina was housed at the **Calculus Institute** in Argentina. Ownership and oversight were provided by the **Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences** (Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales), part of the **Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA)**. This institutional context positioned Clementina within one of Argentina's leading academic research environments, ensuring access for scientists across multiple disciplines. ### Physical Characteristics According to contemporary sources, Clementina: - Occupied an entire room - Weighed approximately **500 kg** These specifications were typical of scientific computers from this era, before the miniaturization enabled by integrated circuits and microprocessors. ### Capabilities and Applications As a scientific computer, Clementina's primary function was to perform arithmetic and logical operations for research purposes. Its capabilities included: - **Scientific computation**: Executing sequences of calculations for physics, mathematics, and engineering research - **Melody generation**: The computer could create musical tones, an early demonstration of digital audio synthesis This combination of analytical and creative functions illustrated the inherent versatility of general-purpose computers, which could be programmed for vastly different tasks through software instructions. ### Legacy and Documentation Clementina is documented in multiple authoritative sources: - **Wikidata**: Indexed with structured properties including country, location, ownership, and operational dates - **Spanish Wikipedia**: Has a dedicated article (sitelink count: 1) - **Google Knowledge Graph**: Assigned ID `/g/121p79km` - **Media coverage**: Referenced in Argentine publications, including an Infobae article titled "Clementina, la computadora que cambió la historia científica argentina" ("Clementina, the computer that changed Argentine scientific history") ### Related Entities and Connections As an instance of the class **computer**, Clementina shares classification with: - General-purpose computing devices - Machines that combine hardware and software - Information processors and data terminal equipment Its existence parallels other early scientific computers worldwide that emerged circa 1945–1965, establishing the foundation for modern computational science. ## References 1. [Clementina, la computadora que cambió la historia científica argentina: ocupaba una habitación, pesaba 500 kg y creaba melodías](https://www.infobae.com/sociedad/2021/06/05/clementina-la-computadora-que-cambio-la-historia-cientifica-argentina-ocupaba-una-habitacion-pesaba-500-kg-y-creaba-melodias/)