SOLIDAC facts for kids
| Also known as | Solid-state Automatic Computer |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Barr & Stroud |
| Release date | 1959 |
| Discontinued | 1963 |
| Units shipped | 1 |
| CPU | Transistor-based |
| Memory | 1,024 words, 20 bits each |
The SOLIDAC (which stands for Solid-state Automatic Computer) was a special computer built in the late 1950s. It was a "mini-computer" for its time, meaning it was smaller than the giant computers that came before it. This machine was created by a company called Barr & Stroud for Glasgow University in Scotland.
One cool thing about the SOLIDAC is that it was used to make some of the very first computer music! Today, you can find the SOLIDAC at the National Museums Scotland Collection Centre in Granton, Edinburgh, where it's kept safe as a piece of history.
Contents
What Was the SOLIDAC Computer?
The SOLIDAC was an important early computer. It was built in the late 1950s, a time when computers were still very new. This machine helped scientists and students at Glasgow University do complex calculations and experiments.
How Did SOLIDAC Work?
The SOLIDAC was a "solid-state" computer. This means it used tiny electronic parts called Transistors instead of older, bigger vacuum tubes. Transistors made computers smaller, faster, and more reliable.
What Made SOLIDAC Special?
The SOLIDAC operated at 50 kilohertz (kHz). This number tells us how fast it could process information. For its time, 50 kHz was quite speedy! It also had a memory of 1,024 words, with each "word" holding 20 bits of information. Think of bits as tiny on/off switches that computers use to store data.
Who Built the SOLIDAC?
The company that built the SOLIDAC was called Barr & Stroud. They were a Scottish engineering company known for making optical and electronic equipment. Building a computer like SOLIDAC was a big achievement for them.
Where Is SOLIDAC Now?
After its time at Glasgow University, the SOLIDAC was moved to a museum. It is now part of the collection at the National Museums Scotland Collection Centre in Edinburgh. This helps people learn about how computers have changed over the years.
Why Is SOLIDAC Important?
The SOLIDAC is important because it shows us how computers started to become more advanced. It was one of the early computers to use transistors, which was a big step forward. Plus, the fact that it made some of the first computer music is a fun and interesting part of its history!
