Computer Conservation Society

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London
22^th May 2025

Lore Harp & Vector Graphic: Silicon Valley’s Forgotten Female Microcomputer Pioneers

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

February 2025

It is with much sadness that we have to report the passings of two distinguished pioneers from the very earliest days of computing

G.E. (Tommy) Thomas passed away in July last year in Australia. He was the last surviving member of the team which created the Manchester Mark 1 computer. Based on the well-known Small Scale Experimental Machine, but adding several important and long-lasting features, the Manchester Mark 1 in turn, became the basis for the Ferranti Mark 1 the world’s first commercially produced computer.

Dr Raymond (Dickie) Bird was best known for his heroic achievement of creating a properly engineered version of Andrew Booth’s APEC computer which Booth had built in a barn in Fenny Compton. Dr Bird’s version was brought to market by his employer, the British Tabulating Machine company as the HEC (Hollerith Electronic Computer), later renamed the ICT 1201 which, for a while became the UK’s best selling computer.

In due course we hope to publish in Resurrection longer obituaries for both these important contributors to our art.

The Computer Conservation Society was founded in 1989 as a joint venture between the British Computer Society and the Science Museum in London. It has subsequently become closely associated with the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester and The National Museum of Computing in Bletchley Park.

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.