The design, construction, and performance of a large-scale general-purpose digital computer
B.W. Pollard · 1951
The PRINCIPLES OF operation of the computer to be discussed in this paper have been described in the paper by Dr. T. Kilburn. The basic techniques required for the design and construction of a satisfactory computer were developed by Professor F. C. Williams and his group at the University of Manchester, and the Computer Section of Ferranti Ltd. have therefore made use of these proven techniques in their engineering approach to the problem of constructing a reliable computer. This paper describes the engineering techniques used and evaluates the performance of the computer to date, with a brief reference to the types of problems being handled on the computer. The first computer of the type described (Figure 1) now has been installed at the University of Manchester, and the construction and testing of further similar machines is proceeding.