Just some of the machines and systems whose restoration or building has been undertaken under the auspices of the Computer Conservation Society.

 

Next Events


Decvember 17th 2020 - London/Manchester jointly

Computer Films

See events page for more information


December 1st 2020 - London/Manchester jointly

The Demise of Ferranti

See events page for more information


 

Historic Document Rescue

From time to time the Society is approached by people who have come into the possession of documents relevant to historic computers and who feel that they should “go to a good home”.

Unfortunately the Computer Conservation Society is no longer in a position to collect such material, though we can sometimes suggest a suitable home for it. If you have a need to dispose of historic material we suggest that you should first read our guide Archives and your Personal Papers.

In particular, we should stress that a list of the document titles is essential before any progress can be made.

 

Document Exchange within the CCS

Because CCS members use widely differing IT systems, difficulties sometimes arise when documents are sent between members. In an attempt to minimise such problems a page of guidance notes can be found here.

The web page also contains useful information for authors of articles in the CCS journal Resurrection.

 

News headlines

November 2020

We are pleased to draw your attention to a lecture (on Zoom) organised by Rutherford Appleton Labs lecture entitled “Following Flexipede's Footsteps: Software Archaeology and Cybernetic Serendipity”.

In 1967, Tony Pritchett used the Ferranti Atlas computer at London University, a nuclear fusion laboratory, and a squeaky office chair to create a short film featuring what is arguably the world's first computer-animated character. The following year, all two minutes of this whimsical little film were premiered at Cybernetic Serendipity — a flagship exhibition of art, music, mathematics and sculpture which blurred the boundaries between arts and sciences, and changed the world’s view of computers as more than just automatic calculating machines.

Sadly, Tony is no longer with us, but this talk sets the scene for the making of The Flexipede and its connection with the Atlas Computer Laboratory. It illustrates how Kate got to know Tony and learn more about his work, and how a chance remark led to the use of three home PCs, another research laboratory, and a lot of coffee to scan thousands of punched cards. Finally, the talk will give some insights into techniques Tony used in his program, and reveal whether we really have rediscovered the Flexipede.

Join Kate Sullivan, Professor David Duce and Dr Victoria Marshall with Professor Bob Hopgood via Zoom at 14:00 on Thursday 26 November at ukri.zoom.us/j/95732365698

August 2020

In view of the present Covid-19 emergency the Society has decided that it will not be possible to hold our next few lectures in our usual “face-to-face” fashion. For the next few months, until the situation eases, lectures will be delivered over the Internet using ZOOM. In the absence of geographic constraints, the program will be a joint one.

It will be necessary to pre-register your intention to attend so that we can email you the information you will need to attend.

 

Founded in 1989, the Computer Conservation Society is a joint venture between the British Computer Society, the Science Museum and the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester.

Our primary mission is to preserve historic computers, develop awareness of the history of computing, and encourage research. We run many specialised projects, organise public lecture series, and publish a regular journal.

Membership of the society is open to all.
If you would like to join the society, please click here for more information.