Computing Collection

Artificial intelligence, conceptual illustration
Artificial intelligence. Conceptual illustration of a human brain overlaid with binary digits, representing artificial intelligence, the simulation of human intelligence by a machine

Antikythera mechanism, artwork C017 / 7190
Antikythera mechanism, artwork. This early form of mechanical calculator was found circa 1900 in a 1st-century BC Roman shipwreck

Xray X-MP / 48 supercomputer at CERN
The distinctive shape & bright colouring of the CRAY X-MP/48 supercomputer dominate the Computer Centre at CERN, the European centre for particle physics research near Geneva

Pilot ACE computer, 1950
Pilot ACE computer. Control panel of the Automatic Computing Engine (ACE) pilot model. This was a preliminary version of the full ACE design

Alan Turing, British mathematician
Alan Turing. Caricature of the British mathematician Alan Turing (1912-54). In 1937 Turing described a theoretical computer (a Turing machine) in rigorous mathematical terms

Artificial intelligence, artwork
Artificial intelligence, conceptual computer artwork

Digital world, conceptual artwork. Map of the Earth composed of a printed circuit board

Computer motherboard, coloured X-ray C016 / 7204
Computer motherboard, coloured x-ray of the main circuit board (motherboard) of a personal computer (PC). Motherboard components include transistors, diodes, resistors, capacitors and inductors

Home computer, computer artwork
Home computer. Computer artwork showing the interior of a home computer. A typical home computer contains one or more hard drives (red) which store data

Promotional photograph for the IBM 1410
A female computer technician sits at an IBM 1410, in a promotional photograph for this business computer system. Photograph by Heinz Zinram

Microchip connecting wire, SEM
Micro-wire. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a micro-wire (yellow, often made of gold) connecting to the surface of a microchip

Nuclear missile warning system, 1965 C016 / 4518
Nuclear missile warning system. IBM 7090 computer in use in the 1960s as part of the USAs Ballistic Missile Early Warning System (BMEWS)

Artificial intelligence. Conceptual computer artwork of a brain inside a computer, representing intelligent computers. The monitor screen shows a human eye

Computer room, Rotherham Infirmary, South Yorkshire, 1967. Artist: Michael Walters
Computer room, Rotherham Infirmary, South Yorkshire, 1967. In a photograph taken for the Central Office of Information, a secretary checks the printout from the computer

Circuit board man

Computer mouse, artwork. This peripheral computer device is used to control a cursor on a computers graphical user interface (GUI)

Computer hacker, artwork. Man sitting on a bench with a wireless laptop computer, engaged in computer hacking. This is the activity of accessing and modifying other computers and networks

Quantum cryptography equipment
Quantum cryptography. Eye of an observer reflected in a mirror in quantum cryptography apparatus. Quantum cryptography is based on the principle of entanglement

Type AN 5835-1 dead reckoning computer owned by Fenton B. Sands, 1944-1948. Creator: J. B
Flight computer belonging to Tuskegee Airman Dr. Fenton B. Sands, an African-American First Lieutenant Navigator-Bombardier with the 617th Bombardment Squadron of the 477th Composite Group during

Countess Augusta Ada Lovelace (1815-1852), English mathematician and writer. Artist: Margaret Carpenter
Countess Augusta Ada Lovelace (1815-1852), English mathematician and writer. The daughter of Byron and friend of Charles Babbage, she devised the programme for Babbages analytical Engine

Chimp with computer
Becky the chimpanzee (18 months old and raised at Twycross Zoo)sits on a cushion next to a IBM AT-5170 computer, touching the keyboard with her hand. Date: 1987

The difference engine of the Babbage Calculating Machine, invented by Charles Babbage in 1822
745842 The difference engine of the Babbage Calculating Machine, invented by Charles Babbage in 1822, made to compute values of polynomial functions

Analog Computing Machine in Fuel Systems Building, Cleveland, Ohio, USA, 1949. This is an early version of the modern computer

Plotter, Drift, ca. 1918. Creator: CP Goerz
130mm long, 105mm wide; gray anodized color; plastic guide; c.1918

Circular Slide Rule, William J. Powell, 1935. Creator: Unknown
During the 1920s William J. Powell led a small group of black air enthusiasts in Los Angeles. He established the Bessie Coleman Flying Club in 1929

Long Range Navigation (LORAN) Unit, LORAN-C, TI-9100, 1980
20 data keys, digital display, 3 cdi switch; 1980; first Loran-C unit for aircraft use; programmable radio navigational system

Computer, Weems E-1B Navigational. Creator: Weems System of Navigation
White plastic dead reckoning computer used for aerial navigation. The circular computer has three discs for ground speed, mileage and course

Spinning silk and a Jacquard loom (chromolitho)
2788847 Spinning silk and a Jacquard loom (chromolitho) by European School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Spinning silk and a Jacquard loom)

Calculating Machine, by George B Grant (engraving)
1092688 Calculating Machine, by George B Grant (engraving) by American School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Calculating Machine, by George B Grant)

Skelmanthorpe First and Nursery School has been presented with £; 700 worth of computer equipment. They received new disk drives to replace their old cassettes

Busy in the new computer room at Moor End High School are at the back Rebecca Walters, Robina Parveen and Mr Greg Gilbert, head of computing at the school

1980s Computing. Computer textile designers Yvonne Robertson an d Nairish Nash with their Apple Mac computer. 30th September 1987

Teachers and pupils try out the new computers in Bilton High Schools IT classroom. 26th September 1988

Silicon Valley, Santa Clara, California, USA, August 1978. Blue prints of Microchip

Royal Ballet Company dancers Lesley Collier aged 22 from Orpington and Marilyn Thompson, 21 from San Francisco, practice their printed out dance routine

Electronics Computers: Girl operators working at the control panels of Bristol Aircraft Limited new " Duce" digital computer and Flutter Simulator

The Eureka, 1845. Creator: Unknown
The Eureka, 1845....a Machine for Composing Hexameter Latin Verses, which is now exhibited at the Egyptian Hall, in Piccadilly

EyeUbiquitous_10048487
England, West Sussex, Shoreham-by-sea, IT Technician programming traffic lights signal box from a laptop computer

Tabulating machines in the punch room in a Sheffield Factory office, 1963. Artist
Tabulating machines in the punch room in a Sheffield factory office, South Yorkshire, 1963. scene in the offices of the Edgar Allen Steel Company

Hollerith data machine in an office at the Edgar Allen Steel Co, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, 1963. Herman Hollerith was born in 1860 of German parentage

Computer room, Huntsman House, Tetleys brewers headquarters, Leeds, West Yorkshire, 1968. The Tetley familys links with the beer industry reach back into the 1740s when William Tetley was described

Computer room scene, the Park Gate Iron & Steel Co, Rotherham, 1964. Artist
Computer room, Park Gate Iron & Steel Co, Rotherham, South Yorkshire, 1964. An operator at the controls. What once occupied the space of a large room such as this can now be stored on one of todays

Charles Babbage (1791-1871) English mathematician and pioneer of computing, 1871. In the 1820s, Babbage began to develop a Difference Engine which could perform simple mathematical calculations

Slot machine that plays bridge, 1938. Churchmans cigarette card, from a series titled Modern Wonders [WA & AC Churchman, Great Britain & Ireland, 1938]

Super calculating machine, 1938. Churchmans cigarette card, from a series titled Modern Wonders [WA & AC Churchman, Great Britain & Ireland, 1938]

Joseph Marie Jacquard, showing his loom to Lazare Carnot, Lyon, France, 1801 (1901). French silk-weaver and inventor Jacquard (1752-1834)

ENIAC computer, c1944. Artist: J Presper Eckert
ENIAC computer, c1944. The first all-electronic computer designed to be Turing-complete, ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer)

Weaving shed fitted with Jacquard power looms, c1880. French silk-weaver and inventor Joseph Marie Jacquard invented a loom which used a punched card system to weave complicated patterns in textiles

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"From the Pilot ACE to Artificial Intelligence: Unveiling the Evolution of Computing" Step into a time machine and travel back to 1950, where the groundbreaking Pilot ACE computer revolutionized computing as we know it. This marvel of technology laid the foundation for future advancements that would shape our digital world. But let's not forget about ancient wonders like the Antikythera mechanism, an intricate artwork from centuries ago that showcased early computing capabilities, and is a testament to human ingenuity and our innate desire to unravel complex problems. In this journey through time, we encounter Alan Turing, a brilliant British mathematician whose contributions in cryptography during World War II paved the way for modern-day computing. His legacy continues to inspire generations of innovators pushing boundaries in artificial intelligence. Speaking of AI, imagine stepping into a conceptual artwork where machines possess human-like intelligence. The possibilities seem endless as scientists strive towards creating sentient beings capable of learning and adapting on their own. As we delve deeper into this digital realm, conceptual illustrations depict a vibrant landscape filled with interconnected devices forming our ever-expanding digital world. We witness how computers have become an integral part of our daily lives – from home computers empowering individuals to supercomputers at CERN unraveling mysteries of the universe. Peering beneath the surface reveals mesmerizing colored X-ray images showcasing intricate computer motherboards resembling works of art themselves. These microchips intricately connect wires within them, enabling seamless communication between various components. However, not all aspects are rosy; history reminds us that even nuclear missile warning systems relied on computing technologies back in 1965. It serves as a stark reminder that responsible use and ethical considerations must accompany technological progress. Finally, we come across promotional photographs capturing moments when IBM's iconic IBM 1410 took center stage – bringing advanced computational power within reach for businesses worldwide. This captivating journey showcases how far we've come since those early days while reminding us of the limitless potential that lies ahead.