The ICT 1301 Resurrection Project.
Events

Past Events

*** Orpington U3A Visit Oct 2011 ***

The machine all tidied up for the Open Day !

2011 U3A Open Day Summary !

This was our first try at entertaining a group of individuals who just wanted to see the machine and its location. Although organised and suggested by Ron Harding , himself a retired Computer engineer, most of th U3A group had little experience of this type of machine, so we were on a learning curve today along with our audience.

We were most delighted with the response and the interest shown, we would most certainly do this again for the same or another U3A group who had an interest in either Industrial Archaeology, Vintage British Computers or the Darling Buds of May filming location, or maybe even all three.

We started with a stop off in the Farm Yard with it's distinctive Oast house backdrop and explained the behind the scene's life during the filming of the series. After we had explained that we moved on to the story behind the 1301 computer and how it had arrived at the farm to start with. Then moving into the Computer room we removed covers and showed the vital main elements of the machine and explained why it had been designed and built the way it was over 49 years ago in 1962.

For those with a technical interest we dug as deep as the audience wanted, discussing the architecture of the design and its mode of operation. Then when all were happy we powered the machine up and gave the group a chance to experiece what it was like to be around a big working beast of a computer in the 1960's.

The day went well for us and we believe from feedback that it was enjoyed by all who attended ! Although it means we loose a working day and the event has to be booked around the dates that the Owner and myself are available, this first ecperience was most positive for all concerned .