1954–58: Wie es Begann. Das Mathematische Labor und Zemaneks Mailüfterl / 1954–58: How it all Started: The Mathematical Laboratory and Zemanek’s Mailüfterl

2016 ◽  
pp. 20-21
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Laboratory

scholarly journals The design of a practical high-speed computing machine. The EDSAC

1948 ◽  
Vol 195 (1042) ◽  
pp. 274-279 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Relaxation Methods ◽  
Mathematical Equations ◽  
Mathematical Laboratory ◽  
Fundamental Equations ◽  
Physical Laws ◽  
The University ◽  
Computing Machines ◽  
Conventional Type ◽  
Made In

I would like to give a description of the high-speed electronic digital calculating machine now in an advanced stage of construction in the University Mathematical Laboratory, Cambridge, and known as the EDSAC (Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Calculator). Before doing this I will set forth some of the considerations underlying its design. It will be realized that the potential power of electronic digital computing machines is very great, and that they are likely to have a far-reaching effect on certain fields of scientific research. It is, for example, often possible to write down the mathematical equations governing a situation but not possible to treat them analytically. If any progress is to be made in these cases it must be by a direct numerical attack on the fundamental equations. There have in recent years been a number of examples of this method. I might mention Professor Hartree’s work on self-consistent fields and Professor Southwell’s relaxation methods. In both cases the equations expressing the physical laws appropriate to the problem are written down and an approximate numerical solution sought without any intervening analysis of the conventional type. This kind of method is in principle of wide application and power, and the reason why it has not been more generally applied is that the labour of carrying out the necessary numerical processes is too great

Mathematical Laboratory: Its Scope & Function

1925 ◽  
Vol 12 (176) ◽  
pp. 374 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Levy
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Laboratory

The Edinburgh Mathematical Colloquium

1913 ◽  
Vol 7 (107) ◽  
pp. 165-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. G. Knott
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Society ◽  
Great Success ◽  
Methods Of Calculation ◽  
Mathematical Thought ◽  
University Of Edinburgh ◽  
Mathematical Laboratory ◽  
Mathematical Mind ◽  
The University

THE first Mathematical Colloquium held in Edinburgh met during the first week of August, and proved a great success. It was organised by the office-bearers of the Edinburgh Mathematical Society, A. G. Burgess, M.A., F.R.S.E., and Peter Comrie, M.A., B.Sc, F.R.S.E., respectively the President and Secretary of that Society, being also President and Secretary of the Colloquium. The idea of holding such a colloquium was an outcome of Professor Whittaker’s announcement that he purposed organising, as part of the Mathematical Honours curriculum in the University of Edinburgh, a mathematical laboratory for systematic numerical discussion of functions and methods of calculation. Several correspondents had expressed the hope that vacation courses in this line of study might be established; and it was decided to make a first experiment. It was resolved, however, not to limit the colloquium to a discussion of one branch of mathematics, but to enlarge its scope by the inclusion of two other domains of mathematical thought. The broad features of the programme we owe to Professor Whittaker; and its variety was such as to appeal to all types of mathematical mind.

scholarly journals Sir Maurice Vincent Wilkes. 26 June 1913 — 29 November 2010

2014 ◽  
Vol 60 ◽  
pp. 433-454
Author(s):  
Martin Campbell-Kelly
Keyword(s):  
Computer System ◽  
Computer Design ◽  
Computer Laboratory ◽  
Cambridge University ◽  
Distributed Computer System ◽  
Mathematical Laboratory

Maurice Wilkes was head of the Mathematical Laboratory (later Computer Laboratory) at Cambridge University from 1945 until his retirement in 1980. He led the construction of the EDSAC (Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Calculator), the world’s first practical stored-program computer, completed in May 1949. In 1951 he invented microprogramming, a fundamental technique of computer design. He subsequently led the construction of the EDSAC 2 and the Titan computers; he then established the CAP computer project, the Cambridge Digital Ring, and the Cambridge Distributed Computer System. Beyond Cambridge University, he was founding president of the British Computer Society. He was knighted in 2000 for services to computing.

Appendix 1. Numerical solution of the differential equations

1957 ◽  
Vol 146 (923) ◽  
pp. 222-224
Keyword(s):  
Differential Equations ◽  
Numerical Solutions ◽  
Short Account ◽  
Finite Difference Approximations ◽  
Multi Stage ◽  
Step Procedure ◽  
Desk Calculator ◽  
Independent Variable ◽  
Mathematical Laboratory ◽  
The University

The differential equations ((6∙1) to (6∙4)) are non-linear and no analytical solution has been obtained. We have therefore resorted to numerical method suitable for use with a calculating machine or automatic computer. Numerical solutions were finally computed on EDSAC, the electronic digital computer at the University Mathematical Laboratory, Cambridge, but the first solutions were evaluated on a desk calculator. In view of the fact that equations of the type ((6∙1) to (6∙4)) describe the kinetics of many multi-stage chemical and biological reactions, it has been considered worth while to present a short account of the desl method used. The differential equations were replaced by finite difference approximations and the integration carried out by a ‘step-by-step’ procedure in which values c the dependent variables are calculated for successive values of the independent variable t . If y n is the value of one of the quantities r , s , u , v or w at the n th step and if the step in time is δ t , then a simple formula correct to the second power is δ t is y n+1 = y n-1 + 2δ t y ΄ n .

The diagnosis of mistakes in programmes on the EDSAC

1951 ◽  
Vol 206 (1087) ◽  
pp. 538-554 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Digital Computer ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Machine Time ◽  
Cambridge University ◽  
Principal Feature ◽  
Mathematical Laboratory

This paper describes methods developed at the Cambridge University Mathematical Laboratory for the speedy diagnosis of mistakes in programmes for an automatic high-speed digital computer. The aim of these methods is to avoid undue wastage, of machine time, and a principal feature is the provision, of several standard routines which may be used in conjunction with faulty programmes to check the operation of the latter. Two of these routines are considered in detail, and the others are briefly described.

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