Skip to main content

2011 | OriginalPaper | Buchkapitel

10. Evolution of Elliott Computer Architectures

verfasst von : Emeritus Professor Simon Lavington

Erschienen in: Moving Targets

Verlag: Springer London

Aktivieren Sie unsere intelligente Suche, um passende Fachinhalte oder Patente zu finden.

search-config
loading …

Abstract

Computer design at Borehamwood was initially driven by the demands of real-time on-line control of ship-borne radar. From January 1949 Harry Carpenter and Ed Hersom became jointly responsible for defining the systems architecture of the Elliott 152 computer, as discussed in Chap. 2. They had some difficulty in meeting the speed of operation required by the MRS5 project. By 1949 the building blocks available at Borehamwood included a relatively fast random-access CRT storage system based on the anticipation-pulse method, a family of innovative printed-circuit logic modules based on miniature pentode thermionic valves (tubes), and a design for a fast serial multiplier

Sie haben noch keine Lizenz? Dann Informieren Sie sich jetzt über unsere Produkte:

Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

  • über 102.000 Bücher
  • über 537 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

  • Automobil + Motoren
  • Bauwesen + Immobilien
  • Business IT + Informatik
  • Elektrotechnik + Elektronik
  • Energie + Nachhaltigkeit
  • Finance + Banking
  • Management + Führung
  • Marketing + Vertrieb
  • Maschinenbau + Werkstoffe
  • Versicherung + Risiko

Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

Springer Professional "Technik"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Technik" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

  • über 67.000 Bücher
  • über 390 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

  • Automobil + Motoren
  • Bauwesen + Immobilien
  • Business IT + Informatik
  • Elektrotechnik + Elektronik
  • Energie + Nachhaltigkeit
  • Maschinenbau + Werkstoffe




 

Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

Springer Professional "Wirtschaft"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Wirtschaft" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

  • über 67.000 Bücher
  • über 340 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

  • Bauwesen + Immobilien
  • Business IT + Informatik
  • Finance + Banking
  • Management + Führung
  • Marketing + Vertrieb
  • Versicherung + Risiko




Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

Literatur
1.
Zurück zum Zitat Hersom SE (2002) Nicholas, the forgotten Elliott project. Resurrection, the Bulletin of the Computer Conservation Society, Issue number 27, spring 2002, pp. 10–14 Hersom SE (2002) Nicholas, the forgotten Elliott project. Resurrection, the Bulletin of the Computer Conservation Society, Issue number 27, spring 2002, pp. 10–14
2.
Zurück zum Zitat Andrew St Johnston, comments to S  H Lavington at a meeting at Hedgegrove Farm (Andrew’s house) on 29 Oct 2001 Andrew St Johnston, comments to S  H Lavington at a meeting at Hedgegrove Farm (Andrew’s house) on 29 Oct 2001
3.
Zurück zum Zitat Andrew St Johnston, History of the Research laboratories of Elliott Brother (London) Ltd.: Andrew St Johnston’s Contribution. This is an 8-page typed manuscript dated 31 May 1995, written for Laurence Clarke (who had at that time started to collect relevant historical material). See also [2] above Andrew St Johnston, History of the Research laboratories of Elliott Brother (London) Ltd.: Andrew St Johnston’s Contribution. This is an 8-page typed manuscript dated 31 May 1995, written for Laurence Clarke (who had at that time started to collect relevant historical material). See also [2] above
4.
Zurück zum Zitat SLH Clarke (2009), E-mail to Simon Lavington dated 14 Oct 2009 SLH Clarke (2009), E-mail to Simon Lavington dated 14 Oct 2009
5.
Zurück zum Zitat Lavington SH, The Pegasus Story – a history of a vintage British computer. Published by the Science Museum, London, in 2000. ISBN:1-900747-40-5. Second edition, published by the British Computer Society, is in press Lavington SH, The Pegasus Story – a history of a vintage British computer. Published by the Science Museum, London, in 2000. ISBN:1-900747-40-5. Second edition, published by the British Computer Society, is in press
6.
Zurück zum Zitat Lavington SH, A History of Manchester Computers. First edition published by the National Computing Centre in 1975. Second edition published by the British Computer Society in 1998. ISBN:0-902505-01-8 Lavington SH, A History of Manchester Computers. First edition published by the National Computing Centre in 1975. Second edition published by the British Computer Society in 1998. ISBN:0-902505-01-8
8.
Zurück zum Zitat St Johnston A, Clarke SLH, Muchmore NWW, Devonald CH, Stallworthy BV, Carpenter HG, Bunt JP (1954) 401 Mark I computer. Elliott Brothers (London) Ltd., Borehamwood internal report 339, 29 Mar 1954 St Johnston A, Clarke SLH, Muchmore NWW, Devonald CH, Stallworthy BV, Carpenter HG, Bunt JP (1954) 401 Mark I computer. Elliott Brothers (London) Ltd., Borehamwood internal report 339, 29 Mar 1954
9.
Zurück zum Zitat Wilkinson JH (1975) The pilot ACE at the National Physical Laboratory. Radio Electron Eng 45:336–340CrossRef Wilkinson JH (1975) The pilot ACE at the National Physical Laboratory. Radio Electron Eng 45:336–340CrossRef
10.
Zurück zum Zitat Comparative data on machines available in the United Kingdom for clerical users. Comput Bull Oct 1957, pp 88–115 Comparative data on machines available in the United Kingdom for clerical users. Comput Bull Oct 1957, pp 88–115
11.
Zurück zum Zitat Haley ACD (1956) DEUCE: a high-speed, general-purpose computer. Proc IEE103B (Supplement 1–3):165–173. The English Electric DEUCE is also amply described in the following website, which includes electronic versions of original technical manuals: http://users.tpg.com.au/eedeuce/intro.htm. A list of DEUCE deliveries will be found in Appendix10 Haley ACD (1956) DEUCE: a high-speed, general-purpose computer. Proc IEE103B (Supplement 1–3):165–173. The English Electric DEUCE is also amply described in the ­following website, which includes electronic versions of original technical manuals: http://​users.​tpg.​com.​au/​eedeuce/​intro.​htm. A list of DEUCE deliveries will be found in Appendix10
12.
Zurück zum Zitat Campbell-Kelly M (Apr 1982) The development of computer programming in Britain (1945–1955). Ann Hist Comput 4(2):121–139MathSciNetCrossRef Campbell-Kelly M (Apr 1982) The development of computer programming in Britain (1945–1955). Ann Hist Comput 4(2):121–139MathSciNetCrossRef
14.
Zurück zum Zitat Kilburn T, Edwards DBG, Lanigan MJ, Sumner FH (Apr 1962) One level storage system. IRE Trans Electron Comput EC-11(2):223–235CrossRef Kilburn T, Edwards DBG, Lanigan MJ, Sumner FH (Apr 1962) One level storage system. IRE Trans Electron Comput EC-11(2):223–235CrossRef
15.
Zurück zum Zitat Bell CG, Newell A (1971) Computer structures: readings and examples. McGraw-Hill, New York Bell CG, Newell A (1971) Computer structures: readings and examples. McGraw-Hill, New York
16.
Zurück zum Zitat Allmark RH, Lucking JR (1962) Design of an arithmetic unit using a nesting store. Proceedings of the IFIP Congress, Munich, 1962, pp 694–698 (Reprinted in Bell and Newell – see [15] above) Allmark RH, Lucking JR (1962) Design of an arithmetic unit using a nesting store. Proceedings of the IFIP Congress, Munich, 1962, pp 694–698 (Reprinted in Bell and Newell – see [15] above)
17.
Zurück zum Zitat Campbell-Kelly M (1985) Christopher Strachey, 1916–1975: a biographical note. IEEE Ann Hist Comput 7(1):19–42, Jan–Mar1985MathSciNetMATHCrossRef Campbell-Kelly M (1985) Christopher Strachey, 1916–1975: a biographical note. IEEE Ann Hist Comput 7(1):19–42, Jan–Mar1985MathSciNetMATHCrossRef
18.
Zurück zum Zitat Cooke-Yarborough EH, Barnes RCM, Stephen JH, Howells GAA (1956) A transistor digital computer. Proc IEE 103B (Suppl 1–3):364–370 Cooke-Yarborough EH, Barnes RCM, Stephen JH, Howells GAA (1956) A transistor digital computer. Proc IEE 103B (Suppl 1–3):364–370
19.
Zurück zum Zitat Felker JH (1954) Performance of TRADIC transistor digital computer. Proceedings of the AFIPS Eastern Joint Computer Conference: Design and application of small digital computers, Dec 1954, pp 46–49 Felker JH (1954) Performance of TRADIC transistor digital computer. Proceedings of the AFIPS Eastern Joint Computer Conference: Design and application of small digital computers, Dec 1954, pp 46–49
20.
Zurück zum Zitat Maddox JL, O’Toole JB, Wong SY (1956) The Transac S-1000 computer. Proceedings of the AFIPS Eastern Joint Computer Conference: New developments in computers. Dec 1956, pp 13–16 Maddox JL, O’Toole JB, Wong SY (1956) The Transac S-1000 computer. Proceedings of the AFIPS Eastern Joint Computer Conference: New developments in computers. Dec 1956, pp 13–16
21.
Zurück zum Zitat John Bunt, letter dated 11 Dec 2001and eight pages of accompanying typed notes, sent to Simon Lavington John Bunt, letter dated 11 Dec 2001and eight pages of accompanying typed notes, sent to Simon Lavington
22.
Zurück zum Zitat Andrew Wylie, in an e-mail to Simon Lavington dated 1 Mar 2009, said: ‘The OC72 is first mentioned in Wireless World in the issue for December 1955, in a construction article, so at that time it was more than just a laboratory type. It then appears several times in 1956. This certainly suggests that it was commercially available in late 1955. Note that Mullard’s OC70 and OC71 junction transistors were available from mid-1954 onwards’. For more on the history of transistors, see Andrew’s interesting website: http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Andrew_Wylie/semics.htm from which the following additional facts are taken. The OC series was very widely used in Europe for a period of almost twenty years and many millions were made…. Mullard produced the first true high-power transistor in Europe, the OC16, in about 1956, which was capable of handling about 24 watts. The early OC series were AF (audio frequency) devices whose switching properties limited their use in high-speed computing circuits. Mullard’s first RF (radio frequency) junction transistor, for example the OC170 used in the Atlas computer, was available from1959 Andrew Wylie, in an e-mail to Simon Lavington dated 1 Mar 2009, said: ‘The OC72 is first mentioned in Wireless World in the issue for December 1955, in a construction article, so at that time it was more than just a laboratory type. It then appears several times in 1956. This certainly suggests that it was commercially available in late 1955. Note that Mullard’s OC70 and OC71 junction transistors were available from mid-1954 onwards’. For more on the history of transistors, see Andrew’s interesting website: http://​ourworld.​compuserve.​com/​homepages/​Andrew_​Wylie/​semics.​htm from which the following additional facts are taken. The OC series was very widely used in Europe for a period of almost twenty years and many millions were made…. Mullard produced the first true high-power transistor in Europe, the OC16, in about 1956, which was capable of handling about 24 watts. The early OC series were AF (audio frequency) devices whose switching properties limited their use in high-speed computing ­circuits. Mullard’s first RF (radio frequency) junction transistor, for example the OC170 used in the Atlas computer, was available from1959
23.
Zurück zum Zitat Laurie Bental, The Elliott 803. Talk given to the North West branch of the Computer Conservation Society, Manchester, 25 Sept 2001 Laurie Bental, The Elliott 803. Talk given to the North West branch of the Computer Conservation Society, Manchester, 25 Sept 2001
24.
Zurück zum Zitat Anon, Elliott Automation: Computers and Orders, 1947–1966. Brochure published in early1967 by the Directorate of Information Services, Elliott-Automation Ltd., 21 Portland Place, London W1 Anon, Elliott Automation: Computers and Orders, 1947–1966. Brochure published in early1967 by the Directorate of Information Services, Elliott-Automation Ltd., 21 Portland Place, London W1
25.
Zurück zum Zitat Ron Clayden (1996) Early computer developments at EMI. Resurrection, the Bulletin of the Computer Conservation Society, Issue number 16, Christmas 1996 Ron Clayden (1996) Early computer developments at EMI. Resurrection, the Bulletin of the Computer Conservation Society, Issue number 16, Christmas 1996
26.
Zurück zum Zitat Froggatt RJ (Dec 1957) Logical design of a computer for business use. J Br Inst Radio Eng 17:681–696 Froggatt RJ (Dec 1957) Logical design of a computer for business use. J Br Inst Radio Eng 17:681–696
28.
Zurück zum Zitat The Times Supplement on Computers in Commerce, a 12-page illustrated addition to The Times newspaper of Tuesday 4 Oct 1960. This contains two items of relevance to the EMIDEC 1100 computer: (a) An advertisement placed by EMI Electronics states that the Boots EMIDEC machine was delivered on 20 Apr 1960 and that two further computers had been delivered so far that summer: to Glaxo on 18 May and to ICI on 15 June. (b) Hill ND, The modern transistor – a far cry from cat’s whisker. ‘The first commercially available transistor computer was the EMIDEC 1100’. Article in the above-mentioned Supplement The Times Supplement on Computers in Commerce, a 12-page illustrated addition to The Times newspaper of Tuesday 4 Oct 1960. This contains two items of relevance to the EMIDEC 1100 computer: (a) An advertisement placed by EMI Electronics states that the Boots EMIDEC machine was delivered on 20 Apr 1960 and that two further computers had been delivered so far that summer: to Glaxo on 18 May and to ICI on 15 June. (b) Hill ND, The modern transistor – a far cry from cat’s whisker. ‘The first commercially available transistor computer was the EMIDEC 1100’. Article in the above-mentioned Supplement
30.
Zurück zum Zitat Anon (1963) Computer & data processing installations. Brochure published by the Computing Division, Elliott Brothers (London) Ltd., on 31 Aug 1963 Anon (1963) Computer & data processing installations. Brochure published by the Computing Division, Elliott Brothers (London) Ltd., on 31 Aug 1963
31.
Zurück zum Zitat De Kerf JLF, A survey of European digital computers. A collection of three articles published in Computers and Automation, Feb, Mar and Apr 1960 (Berkeley Enterprises, MA, USA). This paper contains the following sentences: ‘The new computer, National-Elliott 803, is being used by Information Systems Inc. of Skokie (Illinois) as the control unit of their 609 process control system (cf Control Eng 6(8): pp 52). About forty Elliott computers have been delivered and about twenty are on order (Oct 1959)’ De Kerf JLF, A survey of European digital computers. A collection of three articles published in Computers and Automation, Feb, Mar and Apr 1960 (Berkeley Enterprises, MA, USA). This paper contains the following sentences: ‘The new computer, National-Elliott 803, is being used by Information Systems Inc. of Skokie (Illinois) as the control unit of their 609 process control system (cf Control Eng 6(8): pp 52). About forty Elliott computers have been delivered and about twenty are on order (Oct 1959)’
32.
Zurück zum Zitat (a) Adrian Johnstone (1991) The young person’s guide to The Elliott 8O3B. Resurrection, the Bulletin of the Computer Conservation Society, Issue number 3, spring 1991. (b) Graham Phillips (2007) Memories of the Elliott 803B. Resurrection, the Bulletin of the Computer Conservation Society, Issue number 40, summer 2007 (a) Adrian Johnstone (1991) The young person’s guide to The Elliott 8O3B. Resurrection, the Bulletin of the Computer Conservation Society, Issue number 3, spring 1991. (b) Graham Phillips (2007) Memories of the Elliott 803B. Resurrection, the Bulletin of the Computer Conservation Society, Issue number 40, summer 2007
33.
Zurück zum Zitat Wilson JF, Ferranti: a history. Building a family business, 1882–1975. Carnegie Publishing Ltd., Lancaster, 2001. ISBN:1-85936-080-7. Volume 2: from family firm to multinational company, 1975–1987, published in 2007 by Crucible Books, Lancaster. ISBN:978-1-905472-01-7 Wilson JF, Ferranti: a history. Building a family business, 1882–1975. Carnegie Publishing Ltd., Lancaster, 2001. ISBN:1-85936-080-7. Volume 2: from family firm to multinational company, 1975–1987, published in 2007 by Crucible Books, Lancaster. ISBN:978-1-905472-01-7
34.
Zurück zum Zitat Scarrott GG, Johnson KC, Haley G, Naylo R (1959) The design principles of the neuron and resonant-circuit logical elements. Proc IEE, part B 106:468–469 Scarrott GG, Johnson KC, Haley G, Naylo R (1959) The design principles of the neuron and resonant-circuit logical elements. Proc IEE, part B 106:468–469
35.
Zurück zum Zitat Swan BB (1975) An informal history of the Ferranti Computer Department. 98-typed pages, circulated privately. A copy is now held in the National Archive for the History of Computing, catalogue reference NAHC/FER/C30 Swan BB (1975) An informal history of the Ferranti Computer Department. 98-typed pages, circulated privately. A copy is now held in the National Archive for the History of Computing, catalogue reference NAHC/FER/C30
36.
Zurück zum Zitat Anon, An introduction to system design using Minilog switching elements. A16-page illustrated technical brochure published by Panellit Ltd., a company within the Elliott-Automation Group. Undated, but it can be inferred by the reference on page 10 of the brochure that the date is not earlier than 1962 Anon, An introduction to system design using Minilog switching elements. A16-page illustrated technical brochure published by Panellit Ltd., a company within the Elliott-Automation Group. Undated, but it can be inferred by the reference on page 10 of the brochure that the date is not earlier than 1962
37.
Zurück zum Zitat Anon, Minilog elements and accessories Price List, Sept 1967. Four-page typed internal leaflet produced by Elliott-Automation Microelectronics Ltd. Anon, Minilog elements and accessories Price List, Sept 1967. Four-page typed internal leaflet produced by Elliott-Automation Microelectronics Ltd.
38.
Zurück zum Zitat Iann Barron, seminar given to the Computer Conservation Society in London on 4 May 2006, followed by several e-mail exchanges with Simon Lavington between May and Oct 2006 Iann Barron, seminar given to the Computer Conservation Society in London on 4 May 2006, followed by several e-mail exchanges with Simon Lavington between May and Oct 2006
39.
Zurück zum Zitat SLH Clarke (June 2009) E-mails to Simon Lavington SLH Clarke (June 2009) E-mails to Simon Lavington
40.
Zurück zum Zitat St Johnston A, Clarke SLH (July 1954) Applications of a high-speed electronic computer to a business-accounting problem. J Br Inst Radio Eng 14:293–302 St Johnston A, Clarke SLH (July 1954) Applications of a high-speed electronic computer to a business-accounting problem. J Br Inst Radio Eng 14:293–302
41.
Zurück zum Zitat RG Wilson, From Elliott to ICL. 11-page typed manuscript dated 1 Feb 2009. Ron Wilson joined Elliott-Automation as a graduate trainee in the autumn of 1962. In Sept 1964 he joined Elliotts’ Scientific Computing Division (SCD) as a sales engineer, based at Elliotts’ Manchester area offices in Bramhall, Cheshire. In Jan 1966 he moved to Glasgow. He transferred, with E-A and EE sales staff, to ICL in May1968 RG Wilson, From Elliott to ICL. 11-page typed manuscript dated 1 Feb 2009. Ron Wilson joined Elliott-Automation as a graduate trainee in the autumn of 1962. In Sept 1964 he joined Elliotts’ Scientific Computing Division (SCD) as a sales engineer, based at Elliotts’ Manchester area offices in Bramhall, Cheshire. In Jan 1966 he moved to Glasgow. He transferred, with E-A and EE sales staff, to ICL in May1968
42.
Zurück zum Zitat John Hendry (1990) Innovating for Failure: government policy and the early British computer industry. MIT Press, London. ISBN 0-262-08187-3 John Hendry (1990) Innovating for Failure: government policy and the early British computer industry. MIT Press, London. ISBN 0-262-08187-3
43.
Zurück zum Zitat Don Fenna, communications with David Pentecost, July 2004, and May 2006. Fenna worked at WRE from 1956 to1969 and later became Emeritus Professor of Applied Science in Medicine at the University of Alberta, Canada. See the Computer Conservation Society’s Our Computer Heritage website: http://www.ourcomputerheritage.org/wp/ for more comments on the Elliott 403 compiled by David Pentecost Don Fenna, communications with David Pentecost, July 2004, and May 2006. Fenna worked at WRE from 1956 to1969 and later became Emeritus Professor of Applied Science in Medicine at the University of Alberta, Canada. See the Computer Conservation Society’s Our Computer Heritage website: http://​www.​ourcomputerherit​age.​org/​wp/​ for more comments on the Elliott 403 compiled by David Pentecost
44.
Zurück zum Zitat SLH Clarke (2008) E-mail to Simon Lavington on 21 Aug 2008. See also: Clarke SLH (1993) Recollections of the Elliott 400 series. Comput Resurrection the Bulletin of the Computer Conservation Society, Issue number 6, summer 1993, pp:15–21 SLH Clarke (2008) E-mail to Simon Lavington on 21 Aug 2008. See also: Clarke SLH (1993) Recollections of the Elliott 400 series. Comput Resurrection the Bulletin of the Computer Conservation Society, Issue number 6, summer 1993, pp:15–21
46.
Zurück zum Zitat Anon (July 1959) Interchangeability and compatibility of magnetic tapes. Ferranti Ltd., publication CS234 Anon (July 1959) Interchangeability and compatibility of magnetic tapes. Ferranti Ltd., ­publication CS234
47.
Zurück zum Zitat (a) Royal Army Pay Corps: Report of the Electronic Computer Investigation Committee. The War Office (F9), Dec 1957. (b) Royal Army Pay Corps: Electronic Computer Investigating Committee: Report of Working Party. Application of automatic data-processing to soldiers’ pay accounting. The War Office, Aug 1957 (a) Royal Army Pay Corps: Report of the Electronic Computer Investigation Committee. The War Office (F9), Dec 1957. (b) Royal Army Pay Corps: Electronic Computer Investigating Committee: Report of Working Party. Application of automatic data-processing to soldiers’ pay accounting. The War Office, Aug 1957
48.
Zurück zum Zitat Anon, Machine Comparisons. NCR/Elliott Information memo number 5, 26 Jan 1965 (Two pages, type-written, internal company document) Anon, Machine Comparisons. NCR/Elliott Information memo number 5, 26 Jan 1965 (Two pages, type-written, internal company document)
52.
Zurück zum Zitat Laurie Bental, (2002) Letter to Simon Lavington dated 30 Jan 2002 Laurie Bental, (2002) Letter to Simon Lavington dated 30 Jan 2002
53.
Zurück zum Zitat Roger Cook (1995) Letter to SLH Clarke dated 4 Feb 1995, augmented by various e-mails to Simon Lavington in Aug and Sept 2007 Roger Cook (1995) Letter to SLH Clarke dated 4 Feb 1995, augmented by various e-mails to Simon Lavington in Aug and Sept 2007
54.
Zurück zum Zitat Anon, Elliott-Automation; 1966 Reports and Accounts. Illustrated brochure dated 30 May 1967 and presented to the Annual General Meeting of the company on 23 June Anon, Elliott-Automation; 1966 Reports and Accounts. Illustrated brochure dated 30 May 1967 and presented to the Annual General Meeting of the company on 23 June
55.
Zurück zum Zitat Anon, 928 Graphical Display System.17-page technical brochure published by Marconi-Elliott Computer Systems, 1970. Brochure number 928/ST L/1. Anon, 928 Graphical Display System.17-page technical brochure published by Marconi-Elliott Computer Systems, 1970. Brochure number 928/ST L/1.
Metadaten
Titel
Evolution of Elliott Computer Architectures
verfasst von
Emeritus Professor Simon Lavington
Copyright-Jahr
2011
Verlag
Springer London
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84882-933-6_10