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A geek into computer history

22 April 2009

Monash University's first computer the Ferranti Sirius

The Faculty of Information Technology will hold computing history tours of Melbourne on Saturday 16 May and Sunday 31 May, 2009.

The tours will begin at the Monash Museum of Computing History at the Caulfield campus, which houses the University's first computer.

Across the day tour participants will discover a connection between St Paul's Cathedral and 19th century computing pioneer Charles Babbage, who designed and partly built a steam-driven computer.

The tour will also visit the Melbourne Observatory's "computer room", which housed people rather than machines. Their task was to carry out astronomical calculations and take measurements of photos of the night sky.

After a few more stops, the tour will finish at the Melbourne Museum where participants will view the first computer in Australia (and fourth in the world).

Associate Professor Graham Farr said Melbourne had several remarkable links to the earliest days of computers.

"This tour is a chance to explore another dimension of Melbourne's history and to better understand how computers have changed science, business and society," Professor Farr said.

To join the free tour, which commences at 9.30 am, email Associate Professor Farr at Graham.Farr@infotech.monash.edu.au indicating your preferred date and numbers attending.

Costs for the day will include food and drink and a Zone 1 tram ticket.

For further information visit the Computing Tour web page.