Colossus was a set of computers developed by British codebreakers between 1943 and 1945 to help cryptanalyze the Lorenz cipher. Designed by the General Post Office research telephone engineer Tommy Flowers, the prototype Colossus Mark 1 was working by December 1943 and in use at Bletchley Park by early 1944. It is regarded as the world's first programmable electronic digital computer, yet its existence was kept secret until the mid 1970s, which is why the machines that came after it claimed firsts in public that Colossus had already reached in silence. This description is adapted from Wikipedia contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0; changes were made. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
Facts
YearThe prototype Colossus Mark 1 was working by December 1943 and in use at Bletchley Park by early 1944. SignificanceRegarded as the world's first programmable electronic digital computer; it was special purpose and secret until the mid 1970s, which shaped the public priority claims of later machines. 1 Regarded as first programmable and electronic and digital; the separate first general purpose title is ENIAC's contested claim, recorded on that entity as debated. Connections
In Field
Invented By
Verified en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colossus_computer: "Allen Coombs took over leadership of the production Mark 2 Colossi, the first of which ... became operational at 08:00 on 1 June 1944." Coombs also assisted Tommy Flowers in the original electronics design.
Source Wikipedia: Tommy Flowers
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Colossus Computer
Wikimedia FoundationPurpose and Origins, Design and Construction, Influence and Fate sections
Colossus was a set of computers developed by British codebreakers in the years 1943-1945 to help in the cryptanalysis of the Lorenz cipher.
Influence and Fate section
Colossus is regarded as the world's first programmable, electronic, digital computer.
Design and Construction section
The prototype, Colossus Mark 1, was working by December 1943 and was in use at Bletchley Park by early 1944.
View the Source Wikipedia: Tommy Flowers
Wikimedia FoundationInvented By: Tommy Flowers, IntroductionQuote, Invented By: Tommy Flowers, Introduction
During World War II, Flowers designed and built Colossus, the world's first programmable electronic computer, to help decipher encrypted German messages.
Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.