Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
14 Wrens operating the 'Colossus' computer at the British code-breaking centre at
Bletchley Park, 1943.
University. The Manchester machine, which was in service in
,
has a strong claim to be the first electronic digital computer in the
modern sense because of its capacity to store data. Soon after-
wards the electronics firm Ferranti (illus.
1948
) collaborated with
Manchester University to produce a properly engineered version of
the machine, which became the basis of one of the first commercial
computers.
In fact the British developments described above, though possibly
leading to the first actual modern computer, were less historically
important than similar developments in the United States. This is
partly because much of the British work was not known about
until later, owing to security considerations, and partly because, after
the War, the
16
was far more prepared to invest in research into
computing machinery. Nevertheless, through links within the small
community of those interested in such developments on both sides
of the Atlantic, the work of Turing and others in Britain became
known and appreciated. The importance of this work is in its
conception of digital technology being concerned not so much
us
