16 October 2006

Eerste computer van de THT

Just a slight diversion here, but a very interesting one I think. Our department of Computer Science has a short history. 25 Years ago we welcomed our first students for an "Informatica" degree course at Twente University (Technische Hogeschool Twente or THT, as it was called then).
But before this official start 25 years ago, the THT already bought their first computer. In 1964 IBM sent out a proposal for the first computer for the university. The computer could be bought for almost 1,1 million guilders (approx 500.000 euro's). This computer had a memory of 64K! Remember: this was only 42 years ago! This story and other interesting historical facts can be read online (in Dutch) at http://geschiedenisinf.ewi.utwente.nl/ (only in Dutch).
The first computer and the proposal by IBM is here: "Op 19 november 1964 ontvangt de afdeling der Elektrotechniek een aan prof. dr. ir. A.J.W. Duyvestijn gerichte offerte voor de IBM 360/30 die als eerste computer van de THT wordt aangeschaft."

No comments: