Inspired by Charles Babbage's difference engine, he envisioned an electro-mechanical computing device that could do much of the tedious work for him.

This computer was originally called the ASCC (Automatic Sequence Controlled Calculator) and later renamed Harvard Mark I.

[5] Richard Milton Bloch, Robert Campbell and Grace Hopper joined the project later as programmers.

[7] He received the University of Wisconsin–Madison College of Engineering Engineers Day Award in 1958, the Harry H. Goode Memorial Award in 1964, the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement in 1965,[8] the John Price Wetherill Medal in 1964, and the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) Edison Medal in 1970 "For a meritorious career of pioneering contributions to the development and application of large-scale digital computers and important contributions to education in the digital computer field."

Howard Aiken married three times: to Louise Mancill in June 1937, then later to Agnes Montgomery, and lastly to Mary McFarland.

He founded Howard Aiken Industries Incorporated, which was a consulting firm that helped failing businesses recover.