61-year-old computer springs back to life

61-year-old computer springs back to life
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CNN) -- The WITCH is back.
Of course, if you're a computer historian, you already know that WITCH refers to the Wolverhampton Instrument for Teaching Computation from Harwell.

If not, here's the story: The 2.5-ton machine, first constructed in the 1950s as part of an atomic research program, became the "world's oldest original working digital computer" after a museum in the UK restored and then rebooted it on Tuesday. Unlike today's nearly mute devices, the massive computer clicks, clacks and flashes like something out of an old sci-fi movie.......
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My first smartass thought was "sounds like the perfect system to run MS Bob" and then "that is truly fascinating".

 

Very Clackity. Might be useful for heating up the house.

 

It's great that it's in a museum and in working condition. I love old technology( as Speed_Gibson can attest to, having acquired an antique slide projector for me over the summer,) and even though it's obsolete, it's good to know that people can see it and appreciate how far we've come.

 

Interesting stuff. I'd love to see it in person. Funny when you think about it, my dive watch probably has more computing capabilities.