ERNIE 1
From Object Wiki
| ERNIE 1 | |
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| Manufacturer | GPO |
| Production years | 1957 |
| Production location | Dollis Hill |
ERNIE 1 was the first machine to generate the winning numbers for Premium Bonds. ERNIE stands for electronic random number indicator equipment.
Before 1957, no-one knew how to create a machine that could rapidly generate random numbers for Premium Bonds. ERNIE 1 was technically ground-breaking, using an innovative hybrid of valves and transistors with printed circuit boards.
ERNIE caught the imagination of the British public. The machine was given human characteristics and the public sent ‘him’ cards and poems hoping that their Bond numbers would get picked.
This exhibition showcases ERNIE 1, and explores its development and popularity, its link to the first digital electronic computer - the code-breaking Colossus - and the role of random numbers in computing today.
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[edit] How it works
ERNIE is a hardware random number generator. The first ERNIE was built at the Post Office Research Station by a team led by Sidney Broadhurst. The designer was Tommy Flowers. It was unveiled in 1957, generating its bond numbers based on the signal noise created by a bank of neon tubes.
[edit] Memories
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Do you remember ERNIE? Add your memories. |
[edit] In the Science Museum
ERNIE 1 is currently on display in the Computing gallery on the second floor of the Science Museum.
[edit] Related links
- All About ERNIE on the National Savings & Investments website
- First ERNIE computer picked for Science Museum from the Guardian's Technology Blog.