Harwell Dekatron

the mekanic · Nov 21, 2012

Mmmmm…

Geeky!

:drool

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sidesho...g-digital-computer-gets-reboot-215128890.html

Rikky · Nov 24, 2012

As Cooke-Yarborough wrote of his design in 1953 "a slow computer can only justify its existence if it is capable of running for long periods unattended and the time spent performing useful computations is a large proportion of the total time available". The design was noted for its reliability because in the period from May 1952 until February 1953 it averaged 80 hours per week running time. Dr Jack Howlett, Directory of the Computer Laboratory at AERE 1948–61, said it "could be left unattended for long periods; I think the record was over one Christmas-New Year holiday when it was all by itself, with miles of input data on punched tape to keep it happy, for at least ten days and was still ticking away when we came back."[2] It was the machine's untiring durability, rather than its speed, that was its main feature. Human mathematicians (a job role called a "hand-computer") could make calculations at a similar speed, but not continuously for the same lengths of time. Dr Howlett commented:

One day EB ‘Bart’ Fossey, an excellent hand-computer (still with what used to be called the Atlas Computer Laboratory), settled down beside the machine with his desk machine and attempted a race. He kept level for about half an hour working flat out, but had to retire, exhausted; the machine just ploughed on.[2]
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harwell_computer

Hehe...

DavidGP · Dec 1, 2012

I have just got back from a few days at Bletchley Park for a Microsoft thing, and got to see "the Witch" perform in all her glory, impressive.

They also have a Cray Y-MP EL, which is in todays money about as powerful as your Smartphone.

http://www.bletchleypark.org.uk/

Spad · Dec 2, 2012

Cool. That's one computer I won't be trying to refurbish, however . . . :-D

the mekanic · Dec 2, 2012

spad said: ↑

cool. That's one computer i won't be trying to refurbish, however . . . :-d
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agreed!!

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Harwell Dekatron

the mekanic Major Mekanical Geek

Rikky Wile E. Coyote - One of a kind

DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

Spad MajorGeek

the mekanic Major Mekanical Geek