One early mission was to develop mathematical prediction models to assist large Dutch engineering projects, such as the Delta Works.

In 1983, the name of the institute was changed to Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI) to reflect a governmental push for emphasizing computer science research in the Netherlands.

[3] The institute is known for its work in fields such as operations research, software engineering, information processing, and mathematical applications in life sciences and logistics.

Python has played an important role in the development of the Google search platform from the beginning, and it continues to do so as the system grows and evolves.

Piet Beertema at CWI established one of the first two connections outside the United States to the NSFNET (shortly after France's INRIA)[9][10][11] for EUnet on 17 November 1988.

[16] CWI has demonstrated a continuing effort to put the work of its researchers at the disposal of society, mainly by collaborating with commercial companies and creating spin-off businesses.