CSIRAC: The Last Remaining Pioneer of Computing History
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Chapter 1: The Dawn of Computing
In 1949, the world was undergoing remarkable transformations: vinyl LPs were newly launched, the iconic Volkswagen Kombi van made its debut, and the first jet-powered airliner took to the skies. Amidst these changes, a technological revolution was emerging—the birth of the computer age. During this time, scientists and engineers were crafting the first stored-memory electronic computers, massive machines loaded with vacuum tubes and extensive wiring. Only four of these revolutionary devices had been brought to life in Britain and the United States, marking the early ancestors of today's computers.
In November 1949, Australia entered the scene with its own electronic marvel—CSIRAC, which had been under development for two years. What sets CSIRAC apart is that its creators had little knowledge of concurrent advancements in other parts of the world. Scientific publications from Britain and the U.S. took months to reach Australia, and there was no direct international telephone communication. As a result, the local research community often operated in isolation from global developments.
Despite these challenges, the team diligently designed, developed, and built a first-generation computer with all components created locally. Remarkably, while many of its contemporaries were dismantled for parts or discarded, CSIRAC not only survived but thrived, remaining operational until the 1960s.
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This video explores CSIRAC's unique ability to produce music, showcasing its historical significance in the world of computing.
Section 1.1: The Birth of CSIRAC
CSIRAC's fascinating journey began in Sydney in 1947 at the Radiophysics Laboratory of CSIR, the precursor to Australia's national science agency, CSIRO. The lab, located at the University of Sydney, aimed to leverage electronic components developed during World War II for large-scale calculations. However, converting radar technology for civilian applications proved to be a daunting task, often too complex to handle manually or even with the mechanical calculators of that era.
To address this, Australian researchers envisioned a practical large-scale electronic calculator capable of pre-programming for extensive computations. This ambitious project was spearheaded by Maston Beard, a research engineer, and Trevor Pearcey, a physicist with experience in radar development in Britain. In 1946, Pearcey designed an electronic computation device with stored memory, initially dubbed the 'Automatic Computor'.
Subsection 1.1.1: Building the Future
In early 1948, construction commenced, with every component—including thermionic valves and relays—manufactured locally. The pivotal moment arrived in November 1949, when CSIRAC executed its first test program, a lengthy multiplication routine. Its clunky design, featuring 2,000 vacuum tubes and a complex wiring system, was a marvel for its creators, achieving speeds over 1,000 times faster than the leading mechanical calculators of the time.
The team proudly named their creation CSIR Mark 1, later renamed CSIRAC (CSIR Automatic Computer). Covering 40 square meters, weighing 2.5 tonnes, and consuming 30 kilowatts of power, it was a significant engineering achievement.
Section 1.2: A New Era for Computation
Peter Thorne, a young engineer involved with CSIRAC, recalls the awe of working on such an impressive machine. "We knew we were at the forefront of something extraordinary," he reminisces. At that time, the term "computer" referred to a person performing calculations, often involving multiple assistants working on mechanical calculators. CSIRAC dramatically changed this landscape, being likened to a 'supercomputer' of its era.
Despite its primitive specifications—2k of RAM, 5,000 bytes of long-term storage, and a clock speed of just 1 kHz—CSIRAC was a groundbreaking device. For comparison, the first Apple Watch, launched in 2014, had 512 million bytes of RAM and a clock speed of 520 MHz.
Chapter 2: CSIRAC's Unique Contributions
CSIRAC - Australia's First Computer - YouTube
This video discusses the significance of CSIRAC as Australia's pioneering computer and its contributions to the field of computing.
CSIRAC was a marvel of its time, employing cathode-ray tubes for display, long before computer monitors existed. Instructions were punched onto paper tape and fed into the machine, which was operated via a complex console of toggles and switches.
It tackled various challenges, from architectural designs to early numerical weather forecasting. In an interesting twist, CSIRAC also ventured into music, with its first public exhibition in 1951 featuring a rendition of 'Colonel Bogey's March'.
Despite its achievements, by 1955, CSIRAC was decommissioned as advancements in transistor technology rendered it obsolete. The decision to dismantle CSIRAC marked a turning point, as Australia lost its early lead in computing to other nations.
With its eventual restoration and placement in the Melbourne Museum, CSIRAC stands as the oldest surviving first-generation electronic computer, a testament to an era where computing was just beginning to transform society.