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Pilot ACE computer components, 1950 C013 / 7163
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Pilot ACE computer components, 1950 C013 / 7163
Pilot ACE computer components. Rear view of the resistance tree box (over upper section) of the Automatic Computing Engine (ACE) pilot model. This was a preliminary version of the full ACE design, which had been proposed by the British computer scientist and mathematician Alan Turing (1912-1954). The Pilot ACE was one of the first computers built in the UK, and was constructed at the National Physical Laboratory, Teddington, UK. It began operating in 1951, and was used until 1955. A commercial version, the DEUCE, was manufactured between 1955 and 1964. Photographed in 1950
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Media ID 9198721
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1900s 1950 1950s Alan Turing Automatic Computing Engine Calculations Chassis Component Components Computational Computer Computing Computing History Early Electronic Electronics Engineering London National Physical Laboratory Pilot Ace Pioneering Rear Resistor Resistors Teddington Vacuum Tube Wire Wires Wiring Vacuum Tubes
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases the intricate components of the Pilot ACE computer, a groundbreaking technological marvel from 1950. The rear view of the resistance tree box reveals the inner workings of this pioneering machine, which was an early version of Alan Turing's proposed Automatic Computing Engine (ACE). Constructed at the National Physical Laboratory in Teddington, UK, this computer marked one of the first major advancements in computing technology within Britain. The image transports us back to a time when wires and resistors were meticulously arranged to facilitate complex calculations. Vacuum tubes, essential for electronic amplification and switching functions, can be seen among the labyrinthine wiring that fills every inch of space within the chassis. These components represent not only a significant milestone in British engineering but also serve as a testament to Turing's visionary contributions to computational science. Operating from 1951 until 1955, this remarkable piece of equipment paved the way for further advancements in computing history. Its commercial counterpart, known as DEUCE, would later be manufactured between 1955 and 1964. As we gaze upon this monochrome snapshot frozen in time, we are reminded of how far technology has come since those early days. This photograph is a poignant reminder that even amidst its humble beginnings, computing had already begun shaping our world into what it is today.
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