|
On June 21st 1948 the world's first stored
program computer, the "Manchester Baby",
successfully ran its first program and the computer age
was born. The major scientists behind the project were:
Professor Sir Frederic Williams (1911-1977) and Professor
Tom Kilburn (born 1921). The last fifty years have seen a
computer revolution with incredible changes in the way we
work, play and communicate. It all began in Manchester! To celebrate the
golden anniversary of the birth of the "Baby" a
replica is being built which will be officially switched
on during a week of celebrations, starting June 15th
1998. During this week a diverse range of events is
planned, including international computer-oriented
conferences, a concert, school events, lectures and, of
course, an Official Birthday Party which will be
celebrated at the Bridgewater Hall Manchester on
Wednesday June 17 1998. The magnificent programme of the
Official Birthday Party includes a talk of Professor
Kilburn on the events in Manchester in 1948 and 1949.
The 12th
European Simulation Multiconference ESM'98 (organised by
SCS in cooperation with ASIM) is part of the programme of
events in the above-mentioned week of celebrations. Four
days providing a range of themed "tracks" in
selected areas of computer simulation together with an
industrial exhibition. Topics cover the tools and
methodologies of simulation, and many specialist
applications such as military, medical, artificial
intelligence, robotics and education. Because of the 50th
anniversary of the "Baby", a special invited
session will be organised on the history, trends and
future perspectives of computer simulation.
|