Britain's first engineered high-speed electronic digital calculating machine has been produced by Ferranti Ltd. This firm is now producing such machines of two types, which are known as the Mark I and the Mark 1*. This account has been written to provide the basic theory of the machines for persons learning to use and service them. The electronic principles involved and the modes of operation of the machines are described. The method of preparing mathematical problems for solution by the machines is given and the general principles which have been developed in the use of the machines are briefly discussed. In this connection, the examples are intended as simple illustrations and do not necessarily represent the best procedures which are available.
This report contains Parts 1 and 2 which are descriptions of the programming and logical design of the Mark I machine. ARS Report 11/33, which will be issued shortly, contains Parts 3, 4 and 5 which are descriptions of the programming and logical design of the Mark Ist machine and also an elementary account of the electronic principles used in the machines.

 

This was very kindly donated by Jean Fox