The “Baby” computer, developed by a team at the University of Manchester, ran for the first time 75 years ago, making it the world’s first electronic computer with a read/write memory to run a program. The Baby was an experimental machine that underwent continuous development and extension. Although there are no original photographs of the machine from its first run, a technician named Alec Robinson managed to capture 20 photos of the machine in sections, which were then pieced together to create a panorama that was published in various media outlets. In 2021, the University decided to replace its historical displays, prompting a search for the original photographic material. While one strip of negatives remains lost, a rigorous tracing process uncovered 14 of the originals. The available parts of the panorama were digitally reassembled, resulting in a new high-resolution version of the photo. The Baby was recognized by the IEEE as the first electronic computer with a random access read/write memory, and a replica of the machine is currently displayed at the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester.
https://rylandscollections.com/2023/06/21/a-new-view-of-the-manchester-computer/