Portrait Gallery

Our Institute, the Computer and Automation Institute, Hungarian Academy of Sciences (CAI, HAS) was established in 1973, through a merger of the Computer Centre, Hungarian Academy of Sciences (CC, HAS) and the Automation Institute, Hungarian Academy of Sciences (AI, HAS).

Our portrait gallery will provide with a short introductory in commemoration of seven, late, very effective scientists, having played decisive roles both in our start and development; by names Ottó BENEDIKT, Frigyes CSÁKI, Tamás FREY, József HATVANY, István RÁCZ, Rezső TARJÁN and Miklós UZSOKY. They belong to the Hungarian pioneers in computer science and automation, the professions of whom were associated with the two former institutes, some of them joining the new institute. The anaglyphs of the seven scientists, by sculptor Tamás VÍGH, from 1977, decorate the walls of the Council Room of the Institute in street Kende. Before each person's presentation the photos on the reliefs are included.

We are proud of their having worked for our Institute. Remember them, learn about them.

Some of the introductions are not available yet. They will be added soon.

Ottó BENEDIKT
(1897-1975)

Ottó Benedikt was one of the founders of the Automation Research Institute (AKI) of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences.

The events of the first half of the 20^th Century shaped Benedikt’s career. In 1919 he left Hungary to attend the Vienna University of Technology in Austria. In 1932 the Soviet Government recruited him to act as a scientific advisor and to teach at university level. While in the Soviet Union he made significant strides in the development of extraordinary electric machines. One of the most significant accomplishments was the development of an automatic control for electric machines named "Autodin"; it was capable of performing functions that had, in the past required three separate machines. His invention created great interest in the electric drive throughout the world.

He returned to Hungary in 1955, joined the Budapest University of Technology and Economics – created and became head of the Department of Electric Machines. In 1964 the Department became the independent Automation Research Institute.

Benedikt attracted extremely talented and creative researchers; as a result the new Institute had a valuable, highly motivated young team. He continued to participate in the life of the Institute even after retirement from active leadership. His greatness as an engineer and a scientist was reinforced when, without hesitation he embraced semi-conductor control technology after having dedicated most of his life to the development of electric controls. One of his initiatives was the founding of the Hungarian National Committee for Technological Development (OMFB) – he headed the Committee ‘till retirement. In 1958 he was awarded the prestigious Hungarian Kossuth Award for his scientific achievements

Frigyes CSÁKI
(1921-1977)

Professor Dr. Csaki is, to this day known as Hungary’s the Father of Automation Research and Development. He was one of the founders of the Automation Research Institute (AKI), Hungarian Academy of Sciences (MTA). In 1976 he served as the Deputy Director of the Academy. He also served as the President of Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME). In 1973 he received the State Science Award for his pioneering work in the area of automation control theory and non-linear adaptive systems. On the subjects of special electrical machines, electro-technology, process control, power electronics, automation and control engineering his publications are of international caliber. He published a number of books which were translated to both English and German and, for a number of years served as the basis of the science of automation and control engineering.

He was very influential in maintaining Hungary’s high level of graduate and post graduate teaching as well as state of the art research in his fields of interest. Dr. Csaki headed the Hungarian Committee of the Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs. In his capacity as President of BME Professor Csaki raised the standard of the Electrical Engineering Department at the University. During his tenure as the President of BME he supported the cooperation between the University and AKI.

Tamás FREY
(1927-1977)

Tamás Frey obtained a Doctorate in Mathematics in 1963. Frey became the head of the Computer Technology Center (SZK) of the Hungarian Academy of Science. Before that he worked at the Cybernetics Research Center (KKCS) of the Hungarian Academy of Science. By the time he joined the Research Center, he had already made his mark and was a recognized mathematician.

In his research activities Frey achieved significant results in approximation theory as it relates to differential equations, numerical analysis and algebraic calculation for automation. He made significant contribution to the use of mathematical models in the fields of biology, medical science - especially diagnosis. Frey also perfected the use of the computer in the analysis of the electrical impulses generated by the heart.

It was during Frey’s administration that the Computer Technology Center (SZK) that the importance of the mathematics and computer science syllabus gained momentum and significance. Frey’s vast knowledge, his human qualities and stature contributed to the reputation of the Institute. In 1968 he became senior professor at The Budapest University and Economics. Frey’s outstanding contributions include his teaching of mathematics and computer technology and his scientific advisory post in the field of automation. His personality and teaching attracted talented young intellectuals who, in their later years became the leaders in the fields of mathematics, computer technology and automation

József HATVANY
(1926-1987)

Dr. Jozsef Hatvany, was the head of the Institute’s Scientific Council. In 1978, for his pioneering research work in the field of computer-integrated design and manufacturing systems (CAD/CAM) he was awarded The State Prize for Science and Technology. He also received the Gold Medals for Outstanding Inventions from the Hungarian Academy of Sciences in 1978, 1980, 1981, and 1982.  Like so many other Hungarian scientists, he became one of the leaders of the worldwide technical community.

Dr Hatvany received a broad education. Between 1938 and 1947 - before and during World War II, he attended the world renowned Trinity College, Cambridge where he studied Physics, during this time he also became extremely knowledgeable in the field of Humanities. He returned to Hungary in 1947 and started his Hungarian career by teaching Philosophy at the University of Budapest. Dr Hatvany spent time in jail during the Stalin era (known in Hungary by the name of the head of the Hungarian Communist during the Stalin reign – Rakosi era) and after the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. After he was rehabilitated he had a hard time finding employment. In 1964 he joined the Institute. His work at MTA SZTAKI became the most productive time of his career. Through his very broad intellectual and technical interest as well as his international contacts, he was able to identify the most significant and promising directions of technology and these he successfully introduced to the Institute. As early as 1958, Dr. Hatvany patented a system for controlling and operating machine tools using computers (Direct Numerical Control -DNC) instead of using magnetic or punch tapes. Subsequently, and probably for the first time anywhere, the Hatvany team successfully introduced DNC into an industrial manufacturing process.

His work in bringing about educational facilities and financing for talented students is a force in academia to this day. Under the Communist system he was able to access foreign research publications that afforded exceptional benefits for his students.

István RÁCZ
(1922-1991)

A creative mind known and respected throughout Europe for his work in the field of controlled electric drives. Rácz was the head of the Institutes Research Department. In 1975 he was awarded the Hungarian State Award for his work on The Theory And Practical Application Of Thyristor Controlled Asynchronous Motors.

Rácz was an extremely talented engineer with vast theoretical knowledge that he combined with inventiveness and practical engineering. In his field of research - the investigation of the dynamic features of electric machines - his outstanding results were internationally acknowledged. His books are considered to be reference literature in the field to this day; for instance "The Transient Phenomena Of Electric Machines", an important work that was co-authored with Pál Kovács and published in 1954, has been translated into many languages and is used as a reference book to this day. It elaborates on "vector theory of alternating current electric machines". The "vector theory" was developed by Rácz, Kovács and their associates.

In many ways Rácz was ahead of his time. For instance, he demonstrated the application of thyristors years before their invention: he used magnetic switches to simulate the high power semiconductors for the stepping operation of the induction motors. He also used similar imaginative and sophisticated methods in his work on the automation of electric drives and applications for state-of-the-art power-electronic elements.

For his scientific work he made full use of the computer from its inception. His mathematical competence also helped to further the use of computer technology in his areas of research. Early in his career Rácz joined the Budapest University of Technology and Economics to teach and to do research in automation; later, in addition to his activity as a professor at the University, he became Department head at the Automation Institute (AKI), which fused with the Computer and Automation Institute (SZTAKI) of the Hungarian Academy of Science. . Under his guidance SZTAKI became an internationally outstanding research Institute and School especially in power electronics. The work of his team, his personality and stature contributed toward the international reputation of the institute.

Rezső TARJÁN
(1908-1978)

Rezso Tarján completed his studies in Mathematics and Physics in Vienna, Austria. During the mid-forties, Tarján was an important and inspiring leader of the revival of the Hungarian electronics industry. During the early days of Communism he spent time in jail. After his release Tarján became a pioneer in the early development of computer technology.

He was the first technical leader of the Cybernetics Research Center (KKCS) of Hungarian Academy of Science and in that capacity had a great deal to do with the Hungarian adaptation and introduction of M3 computing. He founded and was the first President of the John von Neumann Computer Society. He surrounded himself with the brightest young students who have since become the leaders of Hungary’s computer technology industry.

After enduring the hardships of the historic times in which he lived and worked, in 1960 Tarján retired but remained technical advisor to the Hungarian National Committee for Technological Development until his death.

Miklós UZSOKY
(1925-1995)

Miklós Uzsoky was one of the most talented personalities in the history Hungarian electronic research. During Hungary’s isolation from western scientific activity Uzsoky came up with innovations at the same time as scientists in the United States. These innovations included waves propagating backwards, special filters for digital technics etc…

During the time that Hungary was cut off from the source of state-of-the-art computing technology Uzsoky developed the modems and technology to enable the networking of computers.

His innovations live on in history but their use has been technically superceded. Uzsoky created Hungary’s first television transmitter and the microwave telecommunication system that was a major export of Hungary for many years was also developed with his inspired participation.

He pioneered the Computer Aided Design (CAD) system, the Quality Control (QC) systems and the manufacture of the computers themselves – these hardware and software products were exported and brought revenue to the Institute for a considerable amount of time.

His competence and creativity in mathematics, physics and engineering was unparalleled. In 1973 he received the Hungarian State Award for his work on CAD and computer aided development technology systems