When you go on holiday, you probably dream of beaches, bright sun and those little drinks with umbrellas in them. Whereas I spent (some) of my holiday time peering at the mother of all computers.
When I say mother of all computers, I’m not just talking about the size of this particular behemoth — or in this case, Colossus. This is the Colossus Mk 2 that resides in the UK’s National Museum Of Computing at Bletchley Park. While its role was secret for many, many years, it’s the direct ancestor of… well, everything IT today.
Giz has covered the Colossus before, but why would I pass up the chance to see the thing in the massive flesh?
The rebuilt Colossus is a labour of love that requires constant maintenance, and impressively (so I was told when I was there) contains a number of original 1940s era parts. That’s doubly impressive when you consider that until the 1970s, Colossus technically didn’t exist as far as the UK government was concerned; it’s only thanks to the fact that engineers kept some notes on its construction, a few stripped down parts and the fact that the US authorities were happy enough to reveal secrets that the UK government weren’t that the rebuild was possible at all. It now happily spits out chunks of tape at will — and I’ve framed the bit of tape that the staff were kind enough to hand me. Yes, I’m that sad.
A quick moment of Australian pride here: the era-equivalent of the Colossus, the CSIRAC, is still very much in one piece. Although it’s one non-functional piece, so that’s something of a strike against it.
Astonishingly, the Mk 2 Colossus isn’t the only treasure to be uncovered at the computing museum; it also houses the WITCH — technically the Harwell Computer renamed the Wolverhampton Instrument for Teaching Computing from Harwell — in a near fully functional state. This snapshot shows the Witch just (so I was told) needing its power supply connected. That’d be the massive block on the left of the photo, if you were wondering.
The day I went, Bletchley Park was exceptionally quiet, my own family notwithstanding. If by any chance you’re likely to be in the UK as a tourist any time soon, go there. Stuff the London Eye, Tower and the rest — spend the money on a train ticket to Bletchley and enjoy everything they’ve got there.
Including Enigma machines. Oh, so many Enigma Machines.
Jamie
Monday, January 30, 2012 at 2:45 PMI’ve tried going to Bletchley twice now. First time I got caught up with work. Second time I was actually on holidays but was with 3 other ‘non-geeks’ so my wants or opinions didn’t matter. :(
Philip B
Monday, January 30, 2012 at 2:52 PMI had the same problem, I was there with non-geeks too :(
Alex Kidman
Monday, January 30, 2012 at 3:05 PMUse force :)
(Or mention the links to Ian Fleming/James Bond — that’s usually a good hook for the non-geek)
smurfydog
Monday, January 30, 2012 at 7:58 PMGoing your own way for a day or half day is often a very good thing when traveling with others.
One person may want to spend a couple of hours in a castle looking at medieval torture chambers, while another may, for example, prefer an afternoon at the local flower show. Each can enjoy their preferred thing at their own pace.
Just for example.
Random
Monday, January 30, 2012 at 2:49 PMNice… Thanks for the info. And yes, the Enigma Machines… Wonder if they have a sample de-cypher code for that :)
light487
Monday, January 30, 2012 at 3:13 PMLooks like the cleaner has had the month off.. lots of dust on those precious machines.
Paul Walker
Monday, January 30, 2012 at 3:23 PMCouldn’t agree more. Fabulous exhibit!
I recommend it to everyone.
Eric Jacobson
Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at 6:08 AMI share your appreciation – I’ve made three trips to Bletchley (from NYC) usually for the September anniversary meetings. This is Turing’s centennial year, so hopefully more people will learn how breaking the Enigma was key to overcoming the u-boat blockade of England, and enabling the invasion of fortress Europe. They did astounding work at Bletchley!