Preserving the Legacy of Tommy Flowers: Uncovering Lost Histories of Mid-20th Century Computing Innovation
Join us for a landmark event celebrating the incredible life and work of Tommy Flowers, the visionary engineer behind the world's first semi-programmable computer, Colossus!
This significant project has been spearheaded by Garry Hunter, a seasoned creative community outreach expert. Garry, with a background spanning marine engineering and 25 years in photography, shifted his focus to fostering collaborative creative learning, notably leading the £2m 'Cultural Spring' initiative in South Shields and Sunderland. In 2017, he founded the Tommy Flowers Community Pub on the Aberfeldy estate in Poplar, east London. Named after the local hero Tommy Flowers, this initiative rapidly grew beyond a traditional pub, becoming a celebrated "new model of creative community engagement." It provided unique opportunities for local people and youth groups, from stop-motion film creation to Arduino plant animation with engineers from Roskilde University. His work at the pub was recognized by The House of Lords and influenced Mayoral policy. Garry successfully secured the funding for this project, with The National Museum of Computing (TNMOC) providing essential support for the application. Though the successful pub is now being redeveloped, Garry continues his dedication to Tommy Flowers' legacy, now focusing efforts in Fitzrovia with new partners at the University of Westminster.
TNMOC, home of the reconstructed Colossus in its original Block H, is proud to host this special occasion. We're thrilled to mark Gary's successful projcets and the support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and unveil a significant new addition to our collection: the Tommy Flowers Mural in its new, prominent home. This striking piece, previously gracing the Tommy Flowers community pub, will now inspire new visitors right here at TNMOC, facing our entrance.
Discover the often-overlooked history of mid-20th century computing, an era of profound innovation that shapes our digital world today. Learn about Flowers' pivotal work at the Post Office Research Station, not just with Colossus, but also his department's role in creating ERNIE, the UK's first lottery computer.
We're also excited to announce that the Colossus Memorial Window, a beautiful etched glass artwork, will join us after the pub's closure, further enriching Flowers' legacy at TNMOC.
This event is more than an unveiling; it's a celebration of untold stories, groundbreaking achievements, and the enduring impact of British ingenuity. Don't miss this unique opportunity to connect with the past and see history come alive!
