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How Volunteers Rebuilt WW2 Computers

Posted by Soulskill on from the quite-the-enigma dept.

nk497 writes "A single photograph, scraps of circuit diagrams drawn from memory and a pile of disused components – it isn't much to go on, but from such meager beginnings, engineers rebuilt one of the precursors to the modern computer. The Tunny decryption machine – on display at The Museum of National Computing at Bletchley Park, Buckinghamshire in the UK – was a feat of engineering both during World War II when it was created, and over the past five years when it was rebuilt by retired BT engineers."

4 of 51 comments (clear)

  1. On one page, please. by Bongoots · · Score: 3, Informative

    TFA, on one page - http://www.pcpro.co.uk/features/369397/how-volunteers-rebuilt-world-war-ii-computers/print

  2. The nerd won the second world war ! by JonySuede · · Score: 2

    The nerd won the second world war and they surly win the third.
    But will there be enough nerds left for our side to win ? If we continue to dumb down the curriculum in all levels of education, probably not.

    --
    Jehovah be praised, Oracle was not selected
  3. Valve by Bob-taro · · Score: 2

    IIRC, "valve" is British for "vacuum tube". When the article says the timing circuits are controlled by valves, I'm pretty sure they're talking about the electronic kind.

    --
    Prov 9:8 Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you; rebuke the wise and they will love you.
  4. Go see them by hackertourist · · Score: 2

    If there's one place you should visit when you're in the UK, it's Bletchley Park.
    Seeing the Colossus and their other rebuilt equipment in action is fabulous, and even better, some of the tour guides are the same guys who rebuilt these machines. More knowledgeable than that they don't come.