Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
In 1954, Lyons formed a separate company to build the LEO computers, called
LEO Computers Limited. The LEO company itself merged with the English Elec-
tric Company in 1963 and after several more mergers became part of the company
International Computers Limited (ICL) in 1968.
The LEO experience shows that far-sighted business executives from Lyons
correctly identified digital computers as the best solution for a wide variety of
corporate financial and accounting activities. Their pioneering work helped other
companies also move into the computer era.
IBM
1953 marked the introduction of the IBM 701, which is asserted to be the first suc-
cessful commercial computer, although only 19 were ever made. It was among the
first computers used by the Department of Defense. (Currently, the Department of
Defense owns more computers than most entire countries do.) The 701 was a va-
cuum tube computer that used magnetic tape for storage. It was meant for scientif-
ic and defense calculations.
The IBM 701 triggered the first computer user group. In 1955, a group of IBM
customers in the Los Angeles area founded a user association called SHARE, Inc.
This association later moved to Chicago and became a nonprofit corporation.
The idea of computer and software user groups was beneficial to both custom-
ers and manufacturers. SHARE members influenced IBM in terms of future fea-
tures and needs. SHARE members also helped each other with technical advice
and even the creation of programs and source code.
SHARE's idea of customer user groups would soon lead to many other similar
groups associated with both IBM and other vendors. For IBM, the GUIDE and
COMMON associations would be formed. In the 1960s, the DECUS group was
formed to support digital equipment customers. User associations are now com-
mon for many hardware and software products. The larger associations such as
SHARE have regional subdivisions and chapters in many cities.
There were several upgraded versions of the 701 family, but the biggest tech-
nical advance was the IBM 7090, which was IBM's first computer with transistors
instead of tubes. This computer was announced in 1958. Among its interesting fea-
tures was an early operating system called IBSYS. This would later evolve into
much more powerful operating systems that could keep various hardware com-
ponents operating in concert. One of the first assembly languages was created for
the IBM 701 by Nat Rochester.
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