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.

A prestigious creative mind all over Europe in the field of controlled electric drives, was a head of a research department at the Institute. In 1975 he was awarded the Állami Díj (State Award) for "his activity in the field of theory of asynchronous motors controlled through thyristors and their real-life applications."

As an extremely talented engineer, his outstanding theoretical knowledge was combined with serious inventiveness in practical engineering. In his field of research, i.e. in the investigation of the dynamic features of electric machines, he had front-rank results on international level, as well. His books are considered basic literature in the field even at present - just to mention one, "The transient phenomena of electric machines", co-written with Pál KOVÁCS in 1954, was translated into several languages and is read also in our days. The bases of vector theory of electric machines of alternating current was elaborated by them in co- operation with their colleagues. István RÁCZ preceded his age with several applications of his, e.g., the application of thyristors had been demonstrated years before their invention: simulating the then non-existent heavy-current semiconductors by contactors, for stepping operation of induction motors. Later, on a similarly high level, he dealt with the automation of electric drives and, relatedly, with the application of up-to-date power-electronic elements. In his scientific work he actively made use of computer-technics from as early as its existence, with his particular knowledge in mathematics, further developing the methods in his field.

He joined research in automation carried out at the Technical University of Budapest in his youth, and later, above his activity as a professor at the university, he acted as a head of department at the Automation Institute (AKI), then the Computer and Automation Institute (SZTAKI). Under his scientific guidance the SZTAKI came as a school outstanding internationally as well in power- electronics. With his colleagues he elaborated, among other things, the vector theory of controlled AC drives. Through his outstanding scientific activity, international reputation, he greatly contributed to the fame of our Institute.