Hartree

[watervole]

 My dad will be doing a talk at Redemption on Hartree's Differential Analyzer.  (6pm Saturday)

It was built in 1935 and was a genuine mechanical computer designed to solve integrals.  Charles has been part of the team restoring the computer at Manchester University and it is now working.

I've seen the machine in operation and it always reminds me of a the kind of football game where you have a table top and move the players by spinning rods...

Charles Lindsey was one of the early breed of computer scientists, deeply involved in the development of Algol 68.  

Comments

[murphys_lawyer]

Wow! I reference Professor Hartree in a security talk I give from time to time about how easy it is to lose data, especially if it's on a stick. The reference is from the 1970s:

"I went to see Professor Douglas Hartree, who had built the first differential analyzers in England and had more experience in using these very specialized computers than anyone else. He told me that, in his opinion, all the calculations that would ever be needed in this country could be done on the three digital computers which were then being built - one in Cambridge, one in Teddington, and one in Manchester. No one else, he said, would ever need machines of the own, or would be able to afford to buy them."

I use that particular quote because it's better referenced than the IBM CEO's alleged statement that "I think there is a world market for maybe five computers".

My following PowerPoint slide just reads "© Sinclair Research 1980" at the bottom.

Your dad

[sweetheartwhale.livejournal.com]

I shall look forward to that. I'm guessing he's probably originally a matnematician by degree or trade?. If so,being cheeky,wanted to ask if he would be ok with having his brains picked for half an hour or so by someone who didn't go farther than O Level but needs a few mathematical terms and processes explained or confirmed for their upcoming book.( It relates to how numbers and certain geometrical figures were viewed by those with an interest in the occult and alchemy). I know you have taught maths also so don't mind standing some food or drinks for a mathematical chat. My own father would have been the ideal person of course,we used to chat along these lines when when I was studying the German Romantics who often expressed poetics with reference to science, but in the circumstances, him being a little unavailable right now... :-(

Re: Your dad

[watervole.livejournal.com]

He's certainly a mathematician and would probably be fine at having his brains picked. Be warned that his explanations are detailed. (he used to be a university lecturer)

I'm delighted that you ask, as I think he'll interact well with fans and I'm hoping they'll approach him and make him feel welcome. (When told that his grandson was now his grand-daughter, he accepted the fact instantly without hesitation or question. I was very proud of him.)

He's old and frail, but has his full set of brain cells and can be really interesting to talk to. He's not a fan, but he's a true geek.

[alex-holden.livejournal.com]

I will be really disappointed to miss this (too broke to attend Redemption this year).

[watervole.livejournal.com]

That's a real shame. I hope things are better for you next year.

[julesjones]

I have long wished to fangirl your dad, and now I get the opportunity. :-)

[watervole.livejournal.com]

I think you'll like him a lot. He's a reel geek!

[vjezkova.livejournal.com]

Wow, this is amazing! Your dad really is amazing, his knowledge is amazing. I am sure people will be excited to hear his lecture!

[auntygillian.livejournal.com]

Looking forward to Dad's talk, which I heard him give a version of about 9 months ago. There were some differential equations in it (of course), but most was pretty accessible and the historical anecdotes he has researched are great fun.
Gillian