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General Vintage Technology Discussions For general discussions about vintage radio and other vintage electronics etc. |
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21st Jun 2018, 10:23 am | #1 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 9,642
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The Manchester "Baby"
The World's first stored program computer, the Small-Scale Experimental Machine, is 70 today. The ancestor of all modern computers had a massive 1K memory, and took 52 minutes to run it's first program.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-44554891 |
21st Jun 2018, 11:19 am | #2 |
Octode
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Manchester, UK.
Posts: 1,875
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Re: The Manchester "Baby"
There's a replica (as pointed out in the article) on permanent display at the Museum of Science and Industry here in Manchester. I've seen it running on special occasions, though normally it's a 'static exhibit'. It's near the main entrance - the electricity galleries are a bit hard to find at MOSI, but are also worth a look.
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21st Jun 2018, 12:09 pm | #3 |
Octode
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Yorkshire, England.
Posts: 1,301
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Re: The Manchester "Baby"
When you're in the electricity gallery look for a Ferranti -Shirley Viscometer, the mechanism of which was mostly made by yours truly!
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21st Jun 2018, 2:43 pm | #4 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Wigan, Greater Manchester, UK.
Posts: 9,433
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Re: The Manchester "Baby"
I have just arrived home from Manchester, I very often go to MOSI but didn’t this time. I have seen the replica many times and also see it running.
From memory there are a couple of 807 valves that are the current sinks for the diode logic gates, I didn’t count the diode valves but there were quite a few. The purpose of “The Baby” was to develop the Williams-Kilburn CRT memory. Reading about the development of the Baby they had to run programs after the trams stopped at about 11pm, the sparks from the overhead electric tram cables upset the machine, the machine was housed in a room next to one of the main tram routes.
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Frank |
22nd Jun 2018, 4:18 am | #5 |
Hexode
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Medway towns, Kent, UK.
Posts: 271
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Re: The Manchester "Baby"
The trams finished on January 10th 1949 so that wouldn't have been for long
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"Oh yes I love television, all those wiggly lines"! |
22nd Jun 2018, 5:09 am | #6 |
Nonode
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Milton Keynes, Bucks. UK.
Posts: 2,552
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Re: The Manchester "Baby"
An ignoramus here, I'm now 70 and still ignorant how computers work but this event and the obvious wonder of this machine makes me utter:
"WOW" !!
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When I die, please don't let my Wife sell my collection for the amount I told her I paid for it! |
22nd Jun 2018, 7:59 am | #7 | |
Dekatron
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Wigan, Greater Manchester, UK.
Posts: 9,433
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Re: The Manchester "Baby"
Quote:
Trolley buses for those who have not seen one, very quiet to travel on unlike a motor bus or tram. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trol..._in_Manchester
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Frank |
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22nd Jun 2018, 8:08 am | #8 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Wigan, Greater Manchester, UK.
Posts: 9,433
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Re: The Manchester "Baby"
If you are ever in Manchester it is worth going to see, it’s a small exhibit, a few 19in racks but quite something. If it’s going to be switched on and running then Tuesday used to be the day. Some parts of an early Ferranti computer on show as well.You can then spend the rest of the day with the other exhibits, excellent museum for those who like science and industry. The aircraft museum is nearby and part of the same complex.
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Frank |