Colossus is not a single computer, but a series of machines developed by British scientists between 1943 and 1945. These huge electronic giants, over 2 meters tall, could decipher enemy communications. The technology behind Colossus was revolutionary; specifically engineer Tommy Flowers’ use of vacuum tubes to create logic gates, a precursor to the semiconductor circuits that power modern computing machines.
For decades, the existence of the Colossus remained a mystery. Only in the 2000s did the UK government finally acknowledge its existence. This archive release offers a glimpse into the history of computing and the creativity of those who developed Colossus. The photographs show the development of the computer over time, and the letter describing Flowers’ work points to the importance of the intercepted German messages.
Although Colossus was not a general-purpose computer like the ENIAC developed in 1945, it was a groundbreaking achievement that greatly advanced the field of digital computing. The technology developed for Colossus laid the foundation for the next generation of computers and continues to influence modern computers.
Source: Ferra
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