National Physical Laboratory/Woodger archive www.npl.co.uk
National Physical Laboratory/Woodger archive www.npl.co.uk
National Physical Laboratory/Woodger archive www.npl.co.uk
National Physical Laboratory/Woodger archive www.npl.co.uk
National Physical Laboratory/Woodger archive www.npl.co.uk
National Physical Laboratory/Woodger archive www.npl.co.uk
National Physical Laboratory/Woodger archive www.npl.co.uk
National Physical Laboratory/Woodger archive www.npl.co.uk
National Physical Laboratory/Woodger archive www.npl.co.uk
National Physical Laboratory/Woodger archive www.npl.co.uk
National Physical Laboratory/Woodger archive www.npl.co.uk
National Physical Laboratory/Woodger archive www.npl.co.uk
Automatic Computing Engine (ACE) pilot model, by National Physical Laboratory, Teddington, England, 1949. The construction of the (ACE) pilot model was based on designs by Alan Turing.
Main frame, for Automatic Computing Engine (ACE) pilot model, 1949
Main frame, for Automatic Computing Engine (ACE) pilot model, made at the National Physical Laboratory, Teddington, London, England, and some of the valves by Osram, Germany, 1949. The construction of the (ACE) pilot model was based on designs by Alan Turing.
More
In 1945, while working at the National Physical Laboratory, the British mathematician Alan Turing formulated the design of an 'automatic computing engine' (ACE), which would have been the world's first general-purpose computer. He left the NPL in 1948, but this smaller 'pilot', or prototype, was made in his absence in 1950.
Although just a pilot version, this remarkable machine found a range of applications including working out the stresses on an aeroplane's fuselage.
Set of 45 chasses and valves and one 'Proud Stander', for Automatic Computing Engine (ACE) pilot model, 1950
Set of 45 chasses and valves and one "Proud Stander", for Automatic Computing Engine (ACE) pilot model, by National Physical Laboratory, Teddington, England, 1950
Control desk, for Automatic Computing Engine (ACE) pilot model, 1949
Control desk, for Automatic Computing Engine (ACE) pilot model, made at the National Physical Laboratory, Teddington, London, England, 1949. The construction of the (ACE) pilot model was based on designs by Alan Turing.
Long mercury delay line, for Automatic Computing Engine (ACE) pilot model, 1949
Long mercury delay line, for Automatic Computing Engine (ACE) pilot model, by National Physical Laboratory, Teddington, England, 1949. The construction of the (ACE) pilot model was based on designs by Alan Turing.
Short mercury delay line, for Automatic Computing Engine (ACE) pilot model, 1949
Short mercury delay line, for Automatic Computing Engine (ACE) pilot model, by National Physical Laboratory, Teddington, England, 1949. The construction of the (ACE) pilot model was based on designs by Alan Turing.