EMIDEC 1100 facts for kids
| Manufacturer | EMI |
|---|---|
| Release date | 1959 |
| Units sold | 24 |
| Memory | 4k |
| Storage | 20k |
| Successor | EMIDEC 2400 |
The EMIDEC 1100 was an early computer built in the UK. It was made by the Computing Services Division of EMI Laboratories. The computer was developed in 1958 and the first one was delivered in 1959. It later became known as the ICT 1101 in 1962.
This computer was special because it used new technologies for its time. It was one of the first large computers to use magnetic core memory and transistors. This made it a very important machine in the history of computing in the UK.
Contents
How the EMIDEC 1100 Worked
The EMIDEC 1100 used advanced parts for its time. It had a special type of memory called magnetic core memory. This memory was made from tiny rings of ferrite material woven together.
Even though transistors were new, they were still a bit slow back then. To make the computer faster, its designer, Godfrey Hounsfield, used something called magnetic logic units. These units helped the computer process information quickly. They made the EMIDEC 1100 as powerful as older computers that used vacuum tubes.
Memory and Storage
The main memory of the EMIDEC 1100 could hold 1,024 words. Each word was 36 bits long, which is about 4 kilobytes (KB) of information.
For more storage, the computer used magnetic drums. Each drum could store 4,096 words, which is about 20 KB. If even more data was needed, it could be stored on magnetic tapes. These tapes were 1-inch-wide (25 mm) and were kept in special drives.
Connecting to the Computer
The EMIDEC 1100 also had different devices to help users put information in and get information out. These devices were called peripherals. They included readers for punched tape and punched cards. There were also line printers to print out results.
Who Used the EMIDEC 1100?
A total of 24 EMIDEC 1100 computers were sold. Many different businesses and organizations bought them. Some of these customers included:
- Domestic Electric Rentals
- Boots (a well-known UK company)
- British Motor Corporation
- Kodak
- London Transport
- Barclays Bank
- The Admiralty (part of the UK Navy)
These computers were used for many different tasks. They helped with business operations and industrial work.
Company Changes
In July 1962, the EMI Computing Services Division became part of a company called International Computers and Tabulators (ICT). Later, in 1968, ICT joined with other UK computer companies. This new, larger company was named International Computers Limited (ICL).
See also
