The IEEE has approved two IEEE Milestone Awards for major developments in computer science: the Manchester University "Baby" Computer and its Derivatives, 1948-1951; and the Atlas Computer and the Invention of Virtual Memory 1957-1962.

Two events will celebrate these awards on the 21st June 2022, the 74th anniversary of the first program run by the Manchester Baby computer. The morning and afternoon events are both free but require separate advance bookings.

In the morning in the Science and Industry Museum, Manchester the replica Baby computer will be demonstrated by its team of volunteers with a display of material from the Ferranti archives.

In the afternoon bronze plaques marking these awards will be unveiled in the University of Manchester . After the plaque unveilings there will be talks describing these two developments and the reasons that they are so historically important. The afternoon event will also be live streamed for those unable to attend.

The morning and afternoon events are separate and attendees can register for either or both of them. Advance registration is required for each. In-person attendance is limited to a total of 80 for the morning sessions and 250 for the afternoon. Registration is also required for online attendance.

Tickets for each part of the event and for online attendance are available on the registration page.

The two locations are approximately 1.5 miles apart and those who attend both will need to make their own way between venues and make their own arrangements for lunch, which is not provided. Local information is provided below the schedule. Connection information for online attendance will be sent out to registered attendees a few days before the event.

Schedule (all times are UK time)

Morning: Science and Industry Museum, Manchester, Liverpool Road,

Manchester, M3 4FP

10:30 and 11:15 Two demonstrations of the replica Baby computer, built for the 50th anniversary in 1998. One demonstration will take place at 10:30 and the other at 11:15. Located in the Revolution Manchester Gallery.

Afternoon: Kilburn Building, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL

Registration

13:00 – 14:00 Registration at the North entrance, ground floor of the Kilburn Building. Refreshments (tea, coffee), displays of computer history, vintage films of Manchester computers in the lecture theatre.

Welcome & Introduction

14:00 Jim Miles, University of Manchester, local meeting chair

14:10 Nalin Thakkar, Vice President for Social Responsibility, The University of Manchester

14:20 Steve Welby, COO IEEE and José Moura, Former President IEEE

The IEEE Milestone Program

14:30 Brian Berg, IEEE History Committee

Unveiling of the Plaques

14:40 José Moura, Former President IEEE and Steve Welby, COO IEEE will present the two plaques to Nalin Thakkar, Vice President, The University of Manchester

14:50 – 15:20 Refreshments

Technical Seminar

15:20 Simon Lavington: The Manchester “Baby” and its derivatives

15:40 Roland Ibbett: Atlas

16:00 Peter Denning: Virtual Memory Today

16:20 Steve Furber: Current Computer Science Research at Manchester

Closing Remarks

16:40 Izzet Kale, Chair, UK and Republic of Ireland Section, IEEE

16:45 Vote of thanks by Roderick Muttram, Meeting Chair

Reception

17:00 – 18:00 in the 1st floor foyer and courtyard of the Kilburn Building

Local information

Maps of the area and the University campus can be found here: https://www.manchester.ac.uk/discover/maps/ the Kilburn is Building 39 on the campus map, the entrance is on the North side of the building.

Accommodation on the University campus can be found here: https://www.manchester.ac.uk/discover/maps/accommodation/ Manchester has a wide range of hotels in the centre or within easy commuting distance.