CALCULATING BEFORE THE CHIP An Australian Perspective

摘要

Electronics has taken over most aspects of measurement and computing in industrial, commercial and technical fields, as in so many other areas. In this article we assemble and discuss data on pre-electronic calculators used in laboratories and workshops around Australia, against a background of computing at an international level. The development of post war computing in Australia is covered by Pearcey, and international steps in early computing technology outlined in Aspray's book Computing Before Computers. In the interests of preservation of our Australian heritage, this article is also a reminder that there are still many superseded instruments hidden away in laboratory and office cupboards, and is a plea for their rescue. Such instruments need to be in safe keeping, eventually on display, and one of us (NHW) would be pleased to hear of any which could be retrieved.