Scan-Optics of Maidenhead’s 20/20 OCR page reader reads five times faster than current systems, GEC-Elliott Process Automation’s ‘Watchkeeper’ keeps an eye on shipping to avoid collisions, Digico Ltd’s Micro-16 based coupler acts like a 7901 multiplexer allowing 16 teletypes to interface to an ICL 1900 mainframe, The CEGB orders 5 Honeywell 316 computers to controll a 660-megawatt generator sets, The Post Office will use a Honeywell 516 system train up to 8 postal sorters simultaneously, DEC launch the PDP 11/45, claimed to be seven times faster than any other processor in this range, Texas Instruments opens a new data centre in London with a satellite link to its IBM mainframes in it’s US headquarters in Dallas, Ferranti automation systems introduce a low-cost Argus 600-2 based process control package and HM Customs and Excise buys a £700,000 ICL system 4/72 to process the new VAT.

Brian Aldous – TNMoC Archivist

£1 Million buys 3 Ferranti Argus 500s to control Heysham Nuclear power station, St Stephen’s Hospital, Chelsea is using an Elliott 903 computer to automate processing of 200,000 blood tests each year, RCA are experimenting with high-speed laser data store, claimed to hand up to a million data bits, Marconi develop two prototype stored program controlled telephone switchboards for the Post Office, ICL finally get permission to deliver £5 Million worth of 1906A and 1903A computers to the USSR, Hungary order more ICL kit including system 4/50s, Farranti Argus 500s get to play at submarine warfare simulations and ICL gets £1 Million orders for 1900 machines from France and Germany.

Brian Aldous – TNMoC Archivist

IBM to build 370/135 computers in the UK, Honeywell’s Series 6000 to compete with the IBM 370, Marconi-Elliott Computer Systems introduce a new MECS 2000 range of real time process control computers, the gas pipeline grid uses Modular One based communications and control systems, DEC launches a low-cost, mini PDP-16 computer, Seat Reservations Systems plans an 'On-the-Spot’ Check-in system for Airlines, ICL introduces 1906S, 1904S, 1903S and 1902S computers, GEC-Marconi to snoop on police communications, GEC-Elliott Traffic Automation to control the traffic in Zurich and The BBC uses an ICL 1909 to monitor World Service broadcast quality around the world.

Brian Aldous – TNMoC Archivist

The BBC adds a 1904A to run their Management Information System, British Aircraft Corporation use an IBM 1800 system to simulate the performance of the Concorde’s fuel system, Ferranti FM1600 systems simulate the operations room of a guided-missile destroyer, ICL introduced new models to their system 4 range, Post office introduce a Ferranti ARGUS 500 for monitor line performance and detect impending breakdowns, Cambridge University Computing Lab replace their Titan (Atlas II) with an IBM 370/165 and GEC-Elliott Automation design a new computer control system for a steel mill.

Brian Aldous – TNMoC Archivist

Myriad III designed to meet future air traffic control needs, Plessey introduces an automatic gas meter reading system, XDS Sigma5s monitors Jupiter bound US Pionneer spacecraft testing, Data General introduce faster Nova and SuperNova machines, Plessey introduces Mark II plated wire memories, IBM 1130 monitors fish populations, ICL 4/70 take over KDF9 systems at UK Atomic Energy, Alpha 3 from Air France enables passengers to make and pay for seat reservations, Fibre Optic technology developed at Harwell and a 2nd Farranti Hermes computer-based flight-planning system to be installed at West Drayton.

Brian Aldous – TNMoC Archivist

Ferrantii ARGUS 500 controls West German Chemical plant, ICL install Etam 200 to automate Drawing Office, ICL 1905F and KDF9 will help BBC and ITN on election night, Farranti FM 1600B to guide Navy Torpedoes , More powerful IBM 370/155 and 165 computers, Elliott Flight Automation introduce Elliott 770 Automatic Test Equipment to Nimrod, Post Office tests 48Kbs bi-directional transmission service, GEC-Elliott Automation install March 2140 system for British Steel and Siemens to control 300 traffic lights in London.

Brian Aldous – TNMoC Archivist