I put a page about the history of the computer on my web site a while
back, and then when I decided to add pictures, it grew to about ten
pages or so.
Gradually, I added a few things here and there. I learned about some
computers I hadn't known about, and I added mentions of some that
I did know about.

http://www.quadibloc.com/comp/histint.htm

is the index page to that history.
I even mention the Digital Differential Analyzer and the Burroughs
Scientific Processor.

Of course, there's plenty I haven't mentioned.
I didn't go into the development of computers outside the United
States all that much; although I mention one or two systems from
Britain and from Japan, neither the BESM-6 nor that meritorious
computer the model 109C gets a mention on the page - nothing
about the efforts of Russia and China to make their own computers.
I just couldn't find good pictures that I could use without copyright
worries.
I omit the Canon Cat, and, no doubt, many other computer systems of
interest, as there are so many out there.

John Savard

On Sun, 23 Jul 2023 10:49:25 -0700 (PDT), Quadibloc
<jsavard@ecn.ab.ca> wrote:
>I put a page about the history of the computer on my web site a while
>back, and then when I decided to add pictures, it grew to about ten
>pages or so.
>Gradually, I added a few things here and there. I learned about some
>computers I hadn't known about, and I added mentions of some that
>I did know about.
>
>http://www.quadibloc.com/comp/histint.htm
>
>is the index page to that history.
>I even mention the Digital Differential Analyzer and the Burroughs
>Scientific Processor.

Thanks ! I'll give it a look this coming week. I should learn about
the computers you all talk about I never heard of.
--
Jim

On Sunday, July 23, 2023 at 11:49:28 AM UTC-6, Quadibloc wrote:

> I omit the Canon Cat,

I decided to relent and include it.

John Savard

On 24/07/2023 00:47, Quadibloc wrote:
> On Sunday, July 23, 2023 at 11:49:28 AM UTC-6, Quadibloc wrote:
>
>> I omit the Canon Cat,
>
> I decided to relent and include it.
>
> John Savard

According to Wikipedia:

> The Ferranti Mark 1 was "the tidied up and commercialised version of the Manchester Mark I".
> The first machine was delivered to the Victoria University of Manchester in February 1951
> (publicly demonstrated in July) ahead of the UNIVAC I which was delivered to the United States
> Census Bureau in late December 1952, having been sold on 31 March 1951.

--
Bill F.

Quadibloc <jsavard@ecn.ab.ca> writes:

> On Sunday, July 23, 2023 at 11:49:28 AM UTC-6, Quadibloc wrote:
>
>> I omit the Canon Cat,
>
> I decided to relent and include it.

In 1953, my social studies teacher took our class to Boston for a day
trip. Along with a visit to Old Ironsides and other historic sites, we
went to see The Computer (note the definite article) at Harvard.

Large room to which we were not admitted, viewed through a big window
wall, with cabinets all around presumably containing squillions of
vacuum tubes (relays?). We all gave the operator (guy on tour-guide
duty?) our names and were presented with punched paper ca. 3/4" tapes
allegedly bearing our names in punch code. Or at least that's the way
I remember it.

Would that have been the Harvard Mark I, nine years on from its debut?

In 1953, the cannons on the Constitution were more intriguing than The
Computer but in the ensuing years, I never fired a cannon but have
five working computers. :-o

--
Mike Spencer Nova Scotia, Canada

On 24 Jul 2023 01:31:08 -0300
Mike Spencer <mds@bogus.nodomain.nowhere> wrote:

>
> Quadibloc <jsavard@ecn.ab.ca> writes:
>
> > On Sunday, July 23, 2023 at 11:49:28 AM UTC-6, Quadibloc wrote:
> >
> >> I omit the Canon Cat,
> >
> > I decided to relent and include it.
>
> In 1953, my social studies teacher took our class to Boston for a day
> trip. Along with a visit to Old Ironsides and other historic sites, we
> went to see The Computer (note the definite article) at Harvard.
>
> Large room to which we were not admitted, viewed through a big window
> wall, with cabinets all around presumably containing squillions of
> vacuum tubes (relays?). We all gave the operator (guy on tour-guide
> duty?) our names and were presented with punched paper ca. 3/4" tapes
> allegedly bearing our names in punch code. Or at least that's the way
> I remember it.
>
> Would that have been the Harvard Mark I, nine years on from its debut?
>
> In 1953, the cannons on the Constitution were more intriguing than The
> Computer but in the ensuing years, I never fired a cannon but have
> five working computers. :-o
>
Pshurely US citizens (I know, you're Canadian) are allowed all the
cannons they want? That'd be a well-armed militia.

--
Bah, and indeed Humbug.

On Sunday, 23 July 2023 at 18:49:28 UTC+1, Quadibloc wrote:
> I put a page about the history of the computer on my web site a while
> back

I’ve just read the Third Generation page as that is my main interest. It is a worthwhile and interesting read, but I must point out an error with one of the pictures. The first picture is a Model 65 and not a Model 50.. An easy way to tell them apart is to count the number of roller knobs along the right side of the front panel. The Model 50 has four, while the Model 65 has six.

> In 1953, the cannons on the Constitution were more intriguing than The
> Computer but in the ensuing years, I never fired a cannon but have
> five working computers. :-o

It being you, perhaps the better question would be whether you've
_made_ a cannon. :)

De

drb@ihatespam.msu.edu (Dennis Boone) writes:
> > In 1953, the cannons on the Constitution were more intriguing than The
> > Computer but in the ensuing years, I never fired a cannon but have
> > five working computers. :-o
>
>It being you, perhaps the better question would be whether you've
>_made_ a cannon. :)

Hasn't everyone? These were common when I was young.

https://www.facebook.com/TheKingOfRandom/videos/tennis-ball-cannon-from-soup-cans/2120324738284337/

On Sunday, July 23, 2023 at 5:58:21 PM UTC-6, williamfindlay wrote:

> According to Wikipedia:
>
> > The Ferranti Mark 1 was "the tidied up and commercialised version of the Manchester Mark I".
> > The first machine was delivered to the Victoria University of Manchester in February 1951
> > (publicly demonstrated in July) ahead of the UNIVAC I which was delivered to the United States
> > Census Bureau in late December 1952, having been sold on 31 March 1951.

After realizing the nature of the error on my page which you have pointed out, I have
made the appropriate correction - so now I mention both the Ferranti Mark I and the
Zuse Z4 as well.

John Savard

On Monday, July 24, 2023 at 8:02:25 AM UTC-6, Chris Bigos wrote:

> I’ve just read the Third Generation page as that is my main interest. It is a
> worthwhile and interesting read, but I must point out an error with one of
> the pictures. The first picture is a Model 65 and not a Model 50. An easy
> way to tell them apart is to count the number of roller knobs along the
> right side of the front panel. The Model 50 has four, while the Model 65 has six.

Oops! I am particularly red-faced about this error, given that the page
http://www.quadibloc.com/comp/pan04.htm
also appears on my web site, and so I should have known better.

The appropriate corrections have been made to
http://www.quadibloc.com/comp/his04.htm

Thank you.

John Savard

Quadibloc <jsavard@ecn.ab.ca> writes:
>On Monday, July 24, 2023 at 8:02:25=E2=80=AFAM UTC-6, Chris Bigos wrote:
>
>> I=E2=80=99ve just read the Third Generation page as that is my main inter=
>est. It is a
>> worthwhile and interesting read, but I must point out an error with one o=
>f
>> the pictures. The first picture is a Model 65 and not a Model 50. An easy
>> way to tell them apart is to count the number of roller knobs along the
>> right side of the front panel. The Model 50 has four, while the Model 65 =
>has six.
>
>Oops! I am particularly red-faced about this error, given that the page

You should also be red-faced about leaving Dr. Atansoff's ABC computer
out of your early history.

On 2023-07-24, Scott Lurndal <scott@slp53.sl.home> wrote:
> Quadibloc <jsavard@ecn.ab.ca> writes:
>>On Monday, July 24, 2023 at 8:02:25=E2=80=AFAM UTC-6, Chris Bigos wrote:
>>
>>> I=E2=80=99ve just read the Third Generation page as that is my main inter=
>>est. It is a
>>> worthwhile and interesting read, but I must point out an error with one o=
>>f
>>> the pictures. The first picture is a Model 65 and not a Model 50. An easy
>>> way to tell them apart is to count the number of roller knobs along the
>>> right side of the front panel. The Model 50 has four, while the Model 65 =
>>has six.
>>
>>Oops! I am particularly red-faced about this error, given that the page
>
> You should also be red-faced about leaving Dr. Atansoff's ABC computer
> out of your early history.
>

The area he addresses is very wide.

--
greymausg@mail.com
God Damn the Influencers

On Monday, July 24, 2023 at 12:33:24 PM UTC-6, Scott Lurndal wrote:

> You should also be red-faced about leaving Dr. Atansoff's ABC computer
> out of your early history.

Even if it was the first computer, as has been claimed by some definitions....

unlike the Harvard Mark I, it seems as though its main influence was to get
mentioned during the course of a lawsuit.

No doubt, though, that is superficial, and I will need to figure out what to
say about the Atanasoff-Berry Computer to do it justice.

John Savard

On Mon, 24 Jul 2023 10:11:06 -0700, Quadibloc wrote:

> On Sunday, July 23, 2023 at 5:58:21 PM UTC-6, williamfindlay wrote:
>
>> According to Wikipedia:
>>
>> > The Ferranti Mark 1 was "the tidied up and commercialised version of
>> > the Manchester Mark I". The first machine was delivered to the
>> > Victoria University of Manchester in February 1951 (publicly
>> > demonstrated in July) ahead of the UNIVAC I which was delivered to
>> > the United States Census Bureau in late December 1952, having been
>> > sold on 31 March 1951.
>
> After realizing the nature of the error on my page which you have
> pointed out, I have made the appropriate correction - so now I mention
> both the Ferranti Mark I and the Zuse Z4 as well.

You may be interested in also including the following; its prototype used
point contact transistors!

http://www.ancientgeek.org.uk/misc/Report_on_the_Metrovick_950.pdf

--
Using UNIX since v6 (1975)...

Use the BIG mirror service in the UK:
http://www.mirrorservice.org

> Hasn't everyone? These were common when I was young.

I was envisioning him turning a metal one on a lathe.

De

drb@ihatespam.msu.edu (Dennis Boone) writes:

>> In 1953, the cannons on the Constitution were more intriguing than The
>> Computer but in the ensuing years, I never fired a cannon but have
>> five working computers. :-o
>
> It being you, perhaps the better question would be whether you've
> _made_ a cannon. :)

Being a blacksmith rather than a founder, I'd be limited to a very
early approach to cannon making. I *did* visit the steel plant in
Sydney, NS, where they cast a number of iron cannons. I forget what
they were made for but my recollection is that the results weren't
uniformly satisfactory.

--
Mike Spencer Nova Scotia, Canada

On Monday, July 24, 2023 at 12:33:24 PM UTC-6, Scott Lurndal wrote:

> You should also be red-faced about leaving Dr. Atansoff's ABC computer
> out of your early history.

I have now added a mention of both the Colossus and the ABC to the page.
Originally, I was reluctant to talk about developments at any time which were
invisible at the time, concentrating on the computer scene at any given time
as it was generally known to people living at the time.
But developments that only became known in hindsight still had their influence,
so a mention was warranted.

John Savard

Dennis Boone <drb@ihatespam.msu.edu> wrote:
> > Hasn't everyone? These were common when I was young.
>
> I was envisioning him turning a metal one on a lathe.
>
> De
>

Mostly cast, I think.

--
Pete

On Sunday, July 23, 2023 at 1:49:28 PM UTC-4, Quadibloc wrote:
> I put a page about the history of the computer on my web site a while
> back, and then when I decided to add pictures, it grew to about ten
> pages or so.
> Gradually, I added a few things here and there. I learned about some
> computers I hadn't known about, and I added mentions of some that
> I did know about.
>
> http://www.quadibloc.com/comp/histint.htm
>
> is the index page to that history.
> I even mention the Digital Differential Analyzer and the Burroughs
> Scientific Processor.
>
> Of course, there's plenty I haven't mentioned.
> I didn't go into the development of computers outside the United
> States all that much; although I mention one or two systems from
> Britain and from Japan, neither the BESM-6 nor that meritorious
> computer the model 109C gets a mention on the page - nothing
> about the efforts of Russia and China to make their own computers.
> I just couldn't find good pictures that I could use without copyright
> worries.
> I omit the Canon Cat, and, no doubt, many other computer systems of
> interest, as there are so many out there.
>
> John Savard

The Whirlwind gets pretty short (and not entirely accurate) mention.

1) It was the second computer to use Magnetic core storage. The first was
the "Magnetic Core computer" (or something like that) that was built
from spare Whirlwind modules. After the core modules were known
to work they were moved over to Whirlwind.
2) Whirlwind was not a prototype, it was used for many years, and I think was
only one of its kind.
3) Many of the lessons learned were adopted for use in the NORAD computers.
4) One of the grad students that worked on the project had the initials K. O., who
went on to found a major computer company. The architecture of those systems
have a similarity to Whirlwind.

- Tim (Whirlwind fan)

On Tuesday, July 25, 2023 at 2:24:56 AM UTC-6, Quadibloc wrote:
> On Monday, July 24, 2023 at 12:33:24 PM UTC-6, Scott Lurndal wrote:
> > You should also be red-faced about leaving Dr. Atansoff's ABC computer
> > out of your early history.

> I have now added a mention of both the Colossus and the ABC to the page.
> Originally, I was reluctant to talk about developments at any time which were
> invisible at the time, concentrating on the computer scene at any given time
> as it was generally known to people living at the time.
> But developments that only became known in hindsight still had their influence,
> so a mention was warranted.

And, speaking of the United Kingdom, I've finally added a mention of the BBC
Micro and the Acorn Archimedes as well.

John Savard

On Tue, 29 Aug 2023 23:20:52 -0700, Quadibloc wrote:

> On Tuesday, July 25, 2023 at 2:24:56 AM UTC-6, Quadibloc wrote:
>> On Monday, July 24, 2023 at 12:33:24 PM UTC-6, Scott Lurndal wrote:
>> > You should also be red-faced about leaving Dr. Atansoff's ABC
>> > computer out of your early history.
>
>> I have now added a mention of both the Colossus and the ABC to the
>> page. Originally, I was reluctant to talk about developments at any
>> time which were invisible at the time, concentrating on the computer
>> scene at any given time as it was generally known to people living at
>> the time.
>> But developments that only became known in hindsight still had their
>> influence,
>> so a mention was warranted.
>
> And, speaking of the United Kingdom, I've finally added a mention of the
> BBC Micro and the Acorn Archimedes as well.

Forgive me if I have already mentioned this, but you might add a nod to
the Metrovick 950, one of the first transistorised computers (the
prototype used point contact transistors).

There is a small Wikipedia page (not my doing), but much more extensive
information here:

http://www.ancientgeek.org.uk/misc/Report_on_the_Metrovick_950.pdf

--
Using UNIX since v6 (1975)...

Use the BIG mirror service in the UK:
http://www.mirrorservice.org