The Charmed Life of The Harwell Dekatron Computer, Kevin Murrell (Wuthering Bytes 2017)
Channel: AB Open
Date: 21/06/2018

Built in 1950, the Harwell Computer helped mathematicians and physicists at the Atomic Energy Research Establishment design the first nuclear reactors in the UK. It went on to support students taking the UK’s first under-graduate degree course in computer science. After a long time in storage, and thought to be lost, it was discovered again in 2005 and restored to full working order at The National Museum of Computing.

The Harwell computer is still running today and is now recognised as the world’s oldest functioning computer.

— Kevin Murrell is one of the founders of The National Museum of Computing based at Bletchley Park. As a trustee, he is primarily responsible for the museum finances, but still makes time to fix PDP8s – his not so secret passion! During the day, Kevin is Technical Director of a small software house producing systems for the health service world-wide.