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Cabinet - CSIRAC Computer, Back 1, Power Supplies, 1949-1964
Reg. No: ST 044218
- Summary:
- Cabinet holding part of the various power supplies for CSIRAC (formerly CSIR Mk 1). CSIRAC's input power supply was three phase 415 volts, with a power rating of 30,000 watts. This was one of two cabinets holding power supplies.
CSIRAC's power supplies were linear as opposed to switching power supplies, common in late 20th Century.
CSIRAC at Melbourne consisted of two rows of cabinets, a control console, input and output devices, test equipment and an off-line paper tape editing area. There were nine cabinets, five in the front row and four in the back. Cool air was blown up through all the cabinets from the basement below. The auxiliary memory (disk drive) occupied the space that would have been occupied by a cabinet in the back row.
The five front row cabinets contained (from left to right viewed from the front) power supplies, input and output circuitry, clock and control circuits, arithmetical circuits and memory control circuits. The four back row cabinets contained (from left to right viewed from the front) power supplies, auxiliary store control circuits, 'disk drive', auxiliary test power supplies and memory control circuits.
The date range (1949-1964) is given to indicate that, although the metal cabinets were first used in 1949, changes were made to the structure and circuitry over the period of CSIRAC's working life. - Description:
- Grey metal cabinet containing power supply componentry. It has doors on the front and the back. It now sits on a purpose built collection management stillage.
List of Parts:
Cabinet
Facing doors (4) - Statement Of Significance:
- CSIRAC was the fourth stored program computer in the world and the first one in Australia. It is the only intact first generation computer left on the planet.
- Acquisition Information:
- Donation from Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), 1965
| Discipline: | Technology |
| Dimensions: | 2185 mm (Height), 1025 mm (Width), 540 mm (Length) |
| Weight: | 360 kg (Weight) |
| Dimension Comment: | H 2335 mm with stillage; W 1035 mm with stillage |
More information
| Tagged with: | computers, computing, csirac computer |
| Themes this item is part of: | CSIRAC's Power Supply - A Comparison with Later Developments, The significance of CSIRAC, 1949 - 1964, Information & Communication Collection, CSIRAC Collection, Trevor Pearcey, Computer Engineer & CSIRAC Specialist (1919-1998), Trevor Pearcey, 1919 - 1998: a brief biography, Trevor Pearcey, 1919 - 1998: a brief biography, Trevor Pearcey & the First Australian Computer: A Lost Opportunity?, Trevor Pearcey & the First Australian Computer: A Lost Opportunity? |
| Primary Classification: | COMPUTING & CALCULATING |
| Secondary Classification: | Digital Computing |
| Tertiary Classification: | mainframes |
| Designer: | Dr Trevor Pearcey, Australia, 1947-1949 |
| Designer: | Mr Maston Beard, 1947-1949 |
| Commissioned By: | Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1947 |
| User: | University of Melbourne (The), Parkville, Victoria, Australia, 1955-1964 |
| Bibliography: |
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Themes
This item is part of the following themes:
- CSIRAC's Power Supply - A Comparison with Later Developments
- The significance of CSIRAC, 1949 - 1964
- Information & Communication Collection
- CSIRAC Collection
- Trevor Pearcey, Computer Engineer & CSIRAC Specialist (1919-1998)
- Trevor Pearcey, 1919 - 1998: a brief biography
- Trevor Pearcey, 1919 - 1998: a brief biography
- Trevor Pearcey & the First Australian Computer: A Lost Opportunity?
- Trevor Pearcey & the First Australian Computer: A Lost Opportunity?
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