DENDRAL was developed at Stanford University DENDRAL was developed at Stanford University todetermine the molecular structure of Martian soil, determine the molecular structure of Martian soil,based on the mass spectral based on the mass spectral data provided by a mass data provided by a massspectrometer. spectrometer. The project was supported by The project was supported by NASA.Edward Feigenbaum, Bruce Buchanan (a computer Edward Feigenbaum, Bruce Buchanan (a computerscientist) and Joshua Lederberg (a Nobel prize winner scientist) and Joshua Lederberg (a Nobel prize winnerin genetics) formed a team. There was no scientific algorithm for mapping the for mapping themass spectrum into its molecular structure. mass spectrum into its molecular structure.Feigenbaum’s job was to incorporate the expertise of s job was to incorporate the expertise ofLederberg into a computer program to make it Lederberg into a computer program to make itperform at a human expert level. Such programs were perform at a human expert level. Such programs were