Tom Kilburn and computer science at Manchester

Welcome to Computer Science 21st June 2019

This week marks the anniversary of the world’s first stored-program computer successfully running its first program. It happened right here, at Manchester, 71 years ago on June 21 1948.

But did you know that Tom Kilburn, one of the men who helped build the Small Scale Experimental Machine – also known as the ‘Baby’ – was also instrumental in setting up the School of Computer Science?

Kilburn helped to form the School in 1964, becoming its first Head of Department. The Kilburn Building on Oxford Road remains the School’s home to this day, named after Kilburn in recognition of his contributions to the School, University and wider world.

As well as the Baby, Kilburn would help build a procession of new computers at the University – including the Manchester Mark 1, the Ferranti Mark 1 and the Atlas.

To celebrate the Baby’s birthday, the Faculty of Science and Engineering’s blog The Hub has taken a deeper look at the life and achievements of Kilburn, delving into his education and personal life. It also features FC Williams and Geoff Tootill, the men with whom he built the Baby more than seven decades ago.

Read the full post on The Hub.