IBM 2401, 1964
IBM 729, 1956

Guide to Computing

Computing Machines 1945-1990

“There was a time not so long ago when computers were not thin, stylish, devices you slip into a pocket or wear on your wrist, but enormous, fabulous machines with flashing lights and spinning fans. These behemoths filled rooms and captured imaginations with their promise of the future.

Docubyte’s ongoing series Guide To Computing is a love letter to the technology of yore. His bright, colorful photos bring a graphic look to computers from the 1940s to the 1980s and remind you of just how prescient Gordon Moore was. That MacBook in your bag or Nexus in your hand is the distant relative of the Harwell Dekatron that weighed 4,500 pounds and used punch tape.

CONT

His delightful images present every dial, button and screen in exquisite detail. The computers in Guide to Computing are quaint—slow and stodgy by today’s standards—yet fascinating. They are the precursor to the machines so central to your life. Appreciate their importance, but also their beauty.”

Jenna Garret, Wired

docubyte Guide to Computing IBM 360/195, 1969
IBM 360/195, 1969
docubyte Guide to Computing EAI Pacer 700, 1974
EAI Pacer 700, 1974

“In the future, computers may weigh no more than 1.5 tonnes.”

 Popular mechanics, 1949

docubyte Guide to Computing BESM-6, Soviet Supercomputer, 1968
BESM-6, Soviet Supercomputer, 1968
docubyte Guide to Computing IBM 7090, 1959
IBM 7090, 1959
docubyte Guide to Computing Solartron Minispace, 1958
Solartron Minispace, 1958
docubyte Guide to Computing Telefunken RA1, 1955
Telefunken RA1, 1955
docubyte Guide to Computing IBM 360, Model 20, 1964
IBM 360, Model 20, 1964
docubyte Guide to Computing HDR 75, 1975
HDR 75, 1975
docubyte Guide to Computing Telefunken RAT 700/2, 1959
Telefunken RAT 700/2, 1959

“Never trust a computer you can’t throw out of a window”

Steve Wozniak

docubyte Guide to Computing Pilot ACE, 1950s
Pilot ACE, 1950s
docubyte Guide to Computing Scientific Data Systems (SDS) 920, 1962
Scientific Data Systems (SDS) 920, 1962
docubyte Guide to Computing Small Scale Experimental Machine (SSEM) 'Manchester Baby', 1948
Small Scale Experimental Machine (SSEM) 'Manchester Baby', 1948
docubyte Guide to Computing Robotron D4a, 1966
Robotron D4a, 1966
docubyte Guide to Computing EAI Pace TR-48, 1960
EAI Pace TR-48, 1960
Telefunken RA770, 1966

“I think there is a world market for maybe five computers.”

Thomas Watson, president of IBM, 1943

docubyte Guide to Computing LINC Computer, 1962
LINC Computer, 1962
docubyte Guide to Computing Guide to Computing
Guide to Computing
docubyte Guide to Computing Endim 2000, 1963
Endim 2000, 1963
docubyte Guide to Computing Guide to Computing
Guide to Computing
docubyte Guide to Computing PDP 7, 1964
PDP 7, 1964
PDP-1, 1959
docubyte Guide to Computing Altair 8800, 1974
Altair 8800, 1974
docubyte Guide to Computing Kenbak 1, 1970
Kenbak 1, 1970
docubyte Guide to Computing Ferranti Atlas, 1964
Ferranti Atlas, 1964
docubyte Guide to Computing SGAE Operators Console, 1963
SGAE Operators Console, 1963
docubyte Guide to Computing Elliot 803, 1963
Elliot 803, 1963
docubyte Guide to Computing Meda 42ta, 1973
Meda 42ta, 1973
docubyte Guide to Computing Uniservo, 1951
Uniservo, 1951
docubyte Guide to Computing Harwell Dekatron (WITCH), 1952
Harwell Dekatron (WITCH), 1952
docubyte Guide to Computing ODRA 1305, 1973
ODRA 1305, 1973
docubyte Guide to Computing Colossus, 1943
Colossus, 1943
docubyte Guide to Computing UNIVAC 9400 Series, 1969
UNIVAC 9400 Series, 1969
Connection Machine CM-1, 1985