In “The Ultimate Computer”, the duotronic M-5 computer was deemed a failure which sent its creator Richard Daystrom into a nervous breakdown. Not only did Daystrom experience psychological distress (probably the most polite way to describe it), but was responsible for a machine that killed upwards of 53 people.

Why would a person responsible for the invention of a computer that unintentionally killed (unintentionally as in, not ordered to do so) get their name enshrined? Is there anything to explain why such a troubled person that ended up killing others in a quest to eliminate the risk of human death, would inspire anyone to name an organization after them?

EDIT: I need to add some complicating facts to this. “Chose Your Pain” (DIS season 1 episode 5) gives Daystrom Institute a founding date of 2256, which is before TOS. So based on comments, likely the duotronic computer is why the name was picked.

  • data1701d (He/Him)@startrek.websiteEnglish
    6·
    3 days ago

    This is firmly Memory Beta canon, but this bit from the Star Trek Adventures Core Rulebook still feels like an interesting addition to this conversation:

    • hopesdead@startrek.websiteOPEnglish
      6·
      3 days ago

      I didn’t notice this before but in Alpha canon Daystrom Institute was founded in 2256, before TOS. So this speech doesn’t make sense. The writer probably didn’t know that either.

      EDIT: I need to clarify that this information is from “Chose Your Pain”, so it came along after “The Ultimate Computer”.

      • data1701d (He/Him)@startrek.websiteEnglish
        3·
        1 day ago

        It looks like this rulebook was released 2 months before the Discovery episode.

        Honestly, I think I’d personally consider the Disco naming a canon goof up - Daystrom was only 37 years old at that point. While he’d certainly done a lot in his career by then, it still feels weird to name such a major part of Starfleet Federation research (thanks OP) after him when he’s still relatively young.

        I think my headcannon, and a reasonable retcon in my opinion, is that there was a predecessor organization to Daystrom, somewhat like how there was NACA before there was NASA. When Discovery mentions Daystrom, they should actually be mentioning the predecessor organization.