Baby that gave birth to a hi-tech revolution

[Noreen]

Weighing in at over a tonne and comprising 1,500 valves and miles of wiring, it is not what most people would recognise as a computer.

Despite its antiquated appearance, however, this enormous machine - once nicknamed "The Baby" - was once the cutting edge of technology. Some of the pioneering engineers behind it gathered in Manchester yesterday to celebrate the birthday of what was the world's first digital computer..........

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2008/jun/21/computing.digitalmedia

[Rik]

IIRC, it's power requirement was also huge. They really couldn't have foreseen what they were starting back then.

[Noreen]

Strange to think that this immense span of discovery and invention has all taken place within my lifetime.

[Rik]

Same here, Noreen, the rate of change has been exponential. Without Baby, we wouldn't be talking about space flight, digital watches, mobile phones or the net - to name a very few.

[Simon]

Without Baby, Windows Vista wouldn't exist!   

[Rik]

Well, no-one is perfect.

[Noreen]

Without Baby, Windows Vista wouldn't exist!   

Well, I'm happy that it existed then, Simon.

[Simon]

I can't really complain about it either, Noreen, but it does make a good stooge.