Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Calculator Facts for Kids

EDSAC

The Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Calculator (or EDSAC) was one of the very first computers ever built. It was created in the United Kingdom by a scientist named Maurice Wilkes and his team. They worked at the University of Cambridge Mathematical Laboratory in England.

EDSAC was special because it was the first electronic computer that could store programs inside itself. This was a huge step forward! It was also the first computer to ever run a video game.

A British company called J. Lyons & Co. Ltd. helped support the project. Because of their help, they later built the first computer for businesses, called LEO I. LEO I was designed using ideas from EDSAC. EDSAC ran its very first programs on May 6, 1949. It calculated lists of square numbers and prime numbers.

What Was EDSAC?
- Storing Programs
- Building EDSAC
  - How it Worked
First Programs and Impact
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What Was EDSAC?

EDSAC was a very early type of computer. It was built using vacuum tubes, which were like old-fashioned light bulbs. These tubes helped the computer do its calculations.

Storing Programs

One of the most important things about EDSAC was its ability to store programs. Before EDSAC, computers had to be rewired every time you wanted them to do a new task. EDSAC could keep instructions inside its memory. This made it much faster and easier to use. This idea is called the Von Neumann architecture. Almost all modern computers still use this design.

Building EDSAC

The computer was built by Maurice Wilkes and his team. They worked hard at the University of Cambridge. The project started after World War II. It took several years to design and build.

How it Worked

EDSAC used special tubes filled with mercury. These were called delay lines. They helped store information for the computer. It also used paper tape to put information in and get results out.

First Programs and Impact

EDSAC was a groundbreaking machine. It showed the world what electronic computers could do.

Running Its First Programs

On May 6, 1949, EDSAC successfully ran its first programs. It quickly calculated a table of square numbers. It also created a list of prime numbers. This was a big moment in computer history.

The First Computer Game

In 1952, a student named Alexander Douglas created the first computer game on EDSAC. It was called OXO. It was a version of tic-tac-toe. This showed that computers could be used for more than just math.

Influence on Other Computers

The design of EDSAC was very important. It influenced many other early computers. The LEO I computer, for example, was directly based on EDSAC's design. LEO I was one of the first computers used by businesses.