<h2>CSIRAC: Australia's first digital computer</h2>Like most early computers, CSIRAC was very temperamental. Explains CSIRAC maintenance engineer Jurij Semkiw: "CSIRAC was a serial machine, requiring a precise relationship between the length of the mercury delay lines and the frequency of the main clock, which in turn were dependent on temperature and supply voltages. This necessitated continual adjustment as it would only work within a limited range. This never-ending work was the responsibility of the maintenance engineers. CSIRAC users were only permitted to make elementary adjustments." <br><br>The system generated so much heat, cool air needed to be blown up through the cabinets from the basement below. <br><br><i>[Image credit: Museum of Victoria]
 

CSIRAC: Australia's first digital computer

Like most early computers, CSIRAC was very temperamental. Explains CSIRAC maintenance engineer Jurij Semkiw: "CSIRAC was a serial machine, requiring a precise relationship between the length of the mercury delay lines and the frequency of the main clock, which in turn were dependent on temperature and supply voltages. This necessitated continual adjustment as it would only work within a limited range. This never-ending work was the responsibility of the maintenance engineers. CSIRAC users were only permitted to make elementary adjustments."

The system generated so much heat, cool air needed to be blown up through the cabinets from the basement below.

[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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