A Note on Early Monte Carlo Computations and Scientific Meetings

This note describes what may have been the first formulation of a Monte Carlo calculation and reproduces the paper where the formulation is described. Speculation is given with respect to the origin of the name. Four early computer meetings at which Monte Carlo calculations were discussed are described. Anecdotes concerning Aiken, Curtiss, Metropolis, Ulam, and von Neumann are included. Finally, the present state of Monte Carlo is discussed.