The CSIR Mk.I (CSIRAC): An Architectural Appraisal

摘要

The CSIR Mk.I was Australia's first stored program electronic digital computer, and one of the first in the world. We examine the design of the computer, in the context of its era, with particular attention to its innovative "general register" architecture. This early development did not lead to the development of an indigenous computer industry in Australia and commentators, such as Trevor Pearcey, have suggested that this failure resulted from a lack of foresight or direction within the CSIRO. We suggest that there may have been a loss of technological opportunism within the CSIRO group and that the Australian market may not have been conducive to local commercial developments.