A Vision Splendid The History of Australian Computing Graeme Philipson The authors, editors, and publisher have made extensive efforts to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this book. Mention of specific brands, companies, organisations, or authorities in this book does not imply endorsement by the author or publisher, nor does mention of specific brands, companies, organisations, or authorities imply that they endorse this book, its author, or the publisher. The products mentioned in this book are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Every effort has been made to contact the original copyright holders of all materials reproduced in the book. Any errors brought to ACS’ attention will be corrected in future editions. Internet addresses given in this book were accurate at the time of pubication. Cover design by Kate Grabowski Interior design by Sharon Metzl, Ink Design Studio, Sydney Cover image - CSIRAC, Australia’s first computer. Credit - Museums Victoria Published by the Australian Computer Society 50 Carrington St, Sydney NSW 2000 www.acs.org.au Copyright © Australian Computer Society 2017 Graeme Philipson asserts his right to be known as the author of this work. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior written consent of the publishers. National Library of Australia Cataloguing-in-Publication Entry Creator: Graeme Philipson, author Title: A Vision Splendid: The History of Australian Computing ISBN: 9780648166801 (paperback) Subjects: Computer Industry – Australia Computer Industry – History A Vision Splendid The History of Australian Computing CONTENTS 04 A VISION SPLENDID Foreword By Angus Taylor 006 Introduction By Anthony Wong 008 Acknowledgements By Graeme Philipson 010 01 The Analog World 012 02 Trevor Pearcey and the CSIR Mark 1 018 03 The First Australian Computer Conference 028 04 Airport Interception Changes the Face of Australian Computing 034 05 UTECOM 046 06 Fire Across the Desert 056 07 Australia’s Last Designs 064 08 The Birth of an Industry 074 09 Australia Gets a Computer Society 082 10 It’s All Academic 090 11 Control Data Australia 100 12 IBM Redefines the Computer Industry 112 13 DEC and Data General – Enter the Minicomputer 120 14 The Government Takes Notice 128 15 United We Stand 136 16 The Mainframe Era: The BUNCH 144 17 The Mainframe Era: ICL and Fujitsu 156 18 The Mainframe Era: Plug-Compatible Manufacturers 168 19 Australia Gets a Software and Services Industry 178 20 The Minicomputer Revolution 194 21 Local Manufacturing 214 22 Personal Computing – This Changes Everything 228 23 Computers and School Education 244 24 From Data Communications to the Internet 256 25 The Fourth Estate 270 26 The Applications Software Revolution 286 27 Commoditisation, Services and Applications Development 300 28 The Internet Boom and the Information Millennium 320 Postscript The Power of a Profession 334 Bibliography 339 References (Endnotes) 343 FOREWORD By Angus Taylor 06 A VISION SPLENDID ustralia has a long and illustrious computing history. Trevor Pearcey’s Mark 1, also known as CSIRAC, was Aone of the first computers in the world. We haven’t stopped there. From the invention of Wi-Fi to quantum computing, we have continued to show the remarkable talent we have in Australia to innovate. Today, information technology is an important part of all our lives. We cannot imagine a world without computers and other digital devices like tablets and mobile phones. We could never have imagined in the early days of computing just how important the technology would become. But Australia’s computing history is not well-known. This book represents the first time our computing history has been documented from the beginning. There have been corporate histories, academic studies of the industry, and a great many reminiscences, but not a comprehensive history like this one. I commend the Australian Computer Society for publishing this important volume. History is never boring, because it is the sum total of all that has gone before us. Australians can be very proud of their computing heritage. The stories in this book show Australian science, technology and business at their best. They show a willingness to have a go, to take a risk, and to think ahead. These are key attributes of the Australian character. Computing is an important part of Australia’s history. It is also an important part of our future. Now, for the first time, we have a history of the industry and of the people who forged it. Congratulations to all involved. THE HON ANGUS TAYLOR MP ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR CITIES AND DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION OCTOBER 2017 A VISION SPLENDID 07 INTRODUCTION By Anthony Wong 08 A VISION SPLENDID elcome to this history of technology Australia. We thank him for his efforts and in Australia. The Australian Computer we thank those who have assisted him. WSociety has commissioned this timely In particular, I’d like to acknowledge the book, which is more than a history of the work of the ACS Heritage Committee, which ACS. It is a story about the evolution of our includes Michael Hawkins (Chair), Graeme industry, and the important role of ACS Philipson, Dr Peter Thorne FACS, Nick Tate within it. FACS and Dr Arthur Tatnall FACS. They were Technology in Australia has many facets ably supported by ACS Heritage agents: – academic, government, private industry, Peter Outtridge; Helen McHugh; Jacky society and the many individuals within those Hartnett; Peter Griffith; Martin Lack; and sectors. In the 21st century, information and SUSn Bandias, along with many other ACS communications technologies are all around members who shared stories, pictures and us. But it also has an important history, one other information. that, until now, has never been told. Many of The ACS is proud to have commissioned our early pioneers and innovators were ACS this book. But it is a story that will never members who made important contributions end, and in a sense the project will never to major technological advances. be finished. We invite anybody with the The ACS began life in 1966 as an knowledge of historical events in the amalgamation of existing state computer industry to share their recollections and societies. Since then it has grown to become insights. We intend this book to be a living one of Australia’s premier professional document; it will grow and evolve as more bodies, at the forefront of issues such as people add to it. accreditation and professional development. The book itself is only one part of the The ACS has been an integral part of ACS’s ongoing Heritage project. We are Australia’s growth as a digital economy, collecting textual and audio reminiscences, and will continue to play a major role as the important historical documents, images and industry and technology evolve. any other material relevant to Australia’s Life in Australia is very different now than computing history. It is important that future it was when Trevor Pearcey first turned on generations have access to this material and his CSIR Mark 1 in 1947. It is impossible understand the beginnings and subsequent to catalogue how much it has changed development of technology in Australia. and the huge role information technology As this book shows, Australia has a proud has played, but this book goes a long way technology heritage. As the ACS enters its towards explaining it. A Vision Splendid: The second half-century, “A Vision Splendid” History of Australian Computing is a book that is an opportunity to reflect on our many needed to be written. achievements to date and to look forward to It was researched and written by Graeme what we will achieve together in the future. Philipson, a leading Australian computer journalist and computer historian. Graeme ANTHONY WONG ACS PRESIDENT has brought to life many of the people OCTOBER 2017 and events that have shaped computing in A VISION SPLENDID 09 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS By Graeme Philipson 010 A VISION SPLENDID MANY PEOPLE HELPED IN THE The list is not definitive, and we apologise RESEARCH FOR THIS BOOK. for any omissions. Personally, I would like THE ACS HERITAGE COMMITTEE to thank the ACS Heritage Committee: WOULD LIKE TO THANK THEM Chair Michael Hawkins, and committee ALL. INDIVIDUALS WHO GAVE members Martin Lack, Nick Tate, OF THEIR TIME AND THEIR Arthur Tatnall, and Peter Thorne. Their KNOWLEDGE INCLUDE: support throughout the project has been outstanding. Also very helpful at ACS Adrian Di Marco Judy Hammond were Roulla Yiacoumi, Francine Pavkovic, Jessica Ibbotson and Ashton Mills. CEO Alex Reid Judy Potter Andrew Johnson and President Anthony Alistair Gordon Justin Zobel Wong have been very supportive throughout. Ann Moffat Len Rust It is in the nature of a project like this that there will be errors of omission. Arthur Tatnall Marcus Wigan It is a very broad field, and there are Ashley Goldsworthy Mark Lloyd certainly many people and events that Barrie Williams Martin Lack could have been covered in greater detail. Brian Membrey Martin Levins I take full responsibility for any such omissions. I feel that a work like this will Chris Barter Max Burnet never truly be completed – it is a living Daryl Colqhoun Mike Vanderkelen document. I look forward to including David Hartley Paul Matthews further details in future editions. Frank Barr-David Peter Bryant GRAEME PHILIPSON OCTOBER 2017 Frank Liebeskind Peter Draney Gary Jackson Peter Sandilands ABOUT GRAEME George Karoly Peter Thorne Graeme Philipson is a writer, Gilly Grose Richard Buckle communicator and researcher into high technology and its effects on business Hannah Watterson Richard Geyer and society. He is a journalist, market Ian Cairns Robin Eckermann researcher, public speaker, poet and Ian Waters Roger Brownlee corporate historian.