29th May 2013, 7:00pm
The Newman Minute: the world’s first computer specification from 1943, Mike (former historian at GCHQ)
A joint event with St Mary Redcliffe Journey into Science and British Science Association (Bristol and Bath branch)
Abstract
In March 1943, Max Newman of Bletchley Park outlined in a Minute for his Director the device which could be built to attack the German Lorenz cipher. It would require hundreds of valves, rather than being mechanical like the Bombe devices which attacked the Enigma ciphers. This device was built as COLOSSUS, the world’s first programmable electronic computer. Thus, this Minute was the world’s first computer specification. This talk describes the strategic and intelligence background to the requirement, and the outcome.
Venue: St. Mary Redcliffe Church, Bristol, BS1 6RA
There will be a charge of £1 on the door. Non-members are welcome.
