The collection includes copies of some early documents relating to proto- and early computing technology, and histories of ICL and predecessor firms (ICL/A), plus a substantial collection of working papers and reports (ICL/C) relating to ICL projects and products, dating from the 1950s to the 1980s.
History of Computing Collection: International Computers Ltd (ICL) Collection
Archive Collection
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- ReferenceGB 133 NAHC/ICL
- Dates of Creation1914-1979
- Language of MaterialEnglish
- Physical Description10 boxes
- LocationCollection available at University Archive and Records Centre, main University Library.
Scope and Content
Administrative / Biographical History
ICL was founded in 1968 under the Wilson Labour Government in the Industrial Expansion Act as part of its industrial rationalisation programme, in order to create an international presence in computers. The formation of ICL was the culmination of a series of mergers and acquisitions during the late 1950s and 1960s which brought together the two strands of punched-card equipment manufacturers and general electrical equipment manufacturers, both of which were diversifying into computers. The immediate merger brought together International Computers and Tabulators Ltd (ICT), and English Electric Computers. Later, Standard Telephones and Cables (STC) became the parent company.
Access Information
The collection is open to any accredited reader.
Acquisition Information
Mr John M. Chapman, and Manchester University Department of Computer Science.
Bibliography
See, Martin Campbell-Kelly, ICL Company Research and Development, (2 parts), ICL Technical Journal, 5,6 (1986, 1988); Martin Campbell-Kelly, ICL: A Business and Technical History (Oxford University Press, 1990) and Tim Kelly, The British Computer Industry (London: Croom Helm, 1987).