<h2>CSIRAC: Australia's first digital computer</h2>We spend most of our waking hours testing the latest hardware to come through our labs, but like a lot of technology users we find the old stuff can sometimes be equally fascinating. 63 years ago, CSIRAC - pronounced "sigh-rack" - ran its first test program at the CSIRO Radiophysics Laboratory in Sydney. It was Australia's first digital computer and only the fourth stored program computer in the world. Using valve technology and World War II radar systems as a starting point, the CSIRAC was built largely independently from similar ventures overseas. <br><br>In the following article, we take an look back at CSIRAC through a series of vintage and modern day photographs (most of which were kindly supplied by the Museum of Victoria). To learn more about this fascinating local IT milestone, take a look at the rest of the gallery. <strong>Click the photos to enlarge them.</strong><br><br><i>[Image credit: Museum of Victoria]
 

CSIRAC: Australia's first digital computer

We spend most of our waking hours testing the latest hardware to come through our labs, but like a lot of technology users we find the old stuff can sometimes be equally fascinating. 63 years ago, CSIRAC - pronounced "sigh-rack" - ran its first test program at the CSIRO Radiophysics Laboratory in Sydney. It was Australia's first digital computer and only the fourth stored program computer in the world. Using valve technology and World War II radar systems as a starting point, the CSIRAC was built largely independently from similar ventures overseas.

In the following article, we take an look back at CSIRAC through a series of vintage and modern day photographs (most of which were kindly supplied by the Museum of Victoria). To learn more about this fascinating local IT milestone, take a look at the rest of the gallery. Click the photos to enlarge them.

[Image credit: Museum of Victoria]

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In Pictures: CSIRAC - Australia's first digital computer

by Chris Jager  |  14 Jun 2012  |  Comments

Sometimes, it's the oldest machines that are the most fascinating. We take an in-depth look at CSIRAC, Australia's first digital computer.
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