According to a remark by Howard Aiken, one that is often quoted, only
a very small number of computers would be needed to serve the needs of
the whole world, perhaps a dozen, with eight or 10 for the United Sta
tes. Sometimes the number is given as six or even two or three. As we
shall see, documentary evidence confirms that Aiken did, indeed, once
say that one or two ''computers'' would suffice, but he was referring
to a special kind of use and not to all possible needs for computer po
wer in every aspect of activity in the whole of the United States. The
context shows that his remark did not have the general context that m
ay be supposed and that it was not, therefore, as incorrect as might a
t first appear.