Peter,

On Wed, 15 Feb 2006 22:39:07 +0000, Peter Onion wrote:

> On Wed, 2006-02-15 at 15:06 +0100, Lembit Soobik wrote:
> 
> > We developed the new generation machines using core memory and blocking 
> > oscillators (rather than flip-flops, monoflops) because they worked with 
> > only one transistor. Transistors were expensive, around 5 to 10 $ a piece.
> > 
> > Lembit
> 
> That's interesting.  The only computers that I know of using cores for
> logic werebuiltby Elliott Bros.in England.   There is a brief
> description of the logic here
> http://members.ozemail.com.au/~jacksmth/ell803b.htm

Hang on - we were talking about core *memory*, not core logic elements!  I think pretty-much all 3rd 
generation computers used core memory, so IBM, ICL, English Electric, Burroughs, Univac, and so on, all used 
it.  I was rather impressed when I went back to the college where I'd done my A Levels, and had been an 
operator on an IBM 370 (semiconductor memory), to see the old ICL 1904 that they'd inherited - you just turn 
on the power and start using it - no need to IPL because the operating system is still in (core) memory!

I seem to remember hearing that the Elliot 803 had a "Squawk box", a sound producing device whose output 
varied with some parameter - perhaps the program counter?  The sound it made could tip off those with an 
experienced ear that there was a problem, such as an infinite loop.  Anyone who has heard the sound would 
recognise it as a computer from that era, as it was often used in films featuring computers to make it more 
exciting!  :-)

Oh, and as it happens Borehamwood, where Elliott's was, is about 5 miles from here!

Cheers,


Howard Winter
St.Albans, England


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