Computers have transformed our modern world; innovations in home computing have irreversibly changed our ways of thinking, from communicating and organising, to work life, and play! Many people access computers in their daily lives, but few know about the inspiring and remarkable technological breakthroughs and stories behind the development of the machines, the software and games they use.
Locally known as Silicon Fen, Cambridge has been, for many years, home to global advances in technology but there has been no systematic attempt to preserve this rich heritage. Viva Computer! will redress this need and uncover the memories of the past. Focusing on the people, technological breakthroughs, computers and businesses that created, developed and sustained the ‘Cambridge Phenomenon’ – funding will bring these stories to life for a present day audience.
Volunteers, trained and managed by two part-time staff, will learn practical heritage skills including how to research, record and develop a compelling history of home computing in the Cambridge area from the 1960s, and explore its relevance for today in ways that are educational and engaging.
The heritage will be shared in meaningful, exciting ways through a freely available digital archive, wide-ranging learning resources, and an end festival with events and workshops.
Commenting on the award from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Jason Fitzpatrick, director at the Centre for Computing History said: “We are delighted and deeply grateful to have received the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund for this important and timely project.
“There is a real need to capture the memories of industry pioneers, or their stories risk being lost forever. Many active members of the vibrant tech community are now aged in their 70s and 80s. Viva Computer! provides the opportunity to share their stories and make them publicly available.
“The over-arching aim of the project is to help people capture the ‘magic’, to engage with the industry’s heritage and history of innovation, and come to a better understanding of the most important cultural development of the last 100 years.”
Stuart Hobley, Development Manager for Heritage Lottery Fund said: “It is always thrilling to revisit the video games of your childhood… and this project is about so much more! This is a really exciting project that will reveal the history behind technology we often take for granted. Thanks to Lottery players’ money, we can now all learn more about the lives of those remarkable local visionaries who brought computer technology into our everyday world.”
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Photographs: Former Chairman of Microsoft Research, Cambridge, Andrew Herbert with a young visitor to the museum
Note to editors
Centre for Computing History CCH is an educational charity (1130071) and not-for-profit company, which opened in Cambridge in August 2013. Its core purpose is to increase understanding of developments in computing over the past 60 years by exploring the social, cultural and historical impact of the Information Age. The fast-paced nature of the computing industry, along with its tendency to discard irrelevant technology as soon as it becomes outdated, means that the heritage around its origins and subsequent developments is at risk of being lost. CCH aims to preserve this fundamental part of our heritage and ensure it is valued, celebrated and secured for posterity.
CCH has an internationally significant collection of vintage computers, memorabilia, artefacts, documents and hands-on displays – in total about 24,000 items. The core collection consists of 800 historic computers including an Altair 8800, usually considered the first home computer, as well as mobile phones, games consoles and calculators. CCH is currently developing two new Cambridge-related archives: a Sinclair collection and an Acorn collection. See www.computinghistory.org.uk for more information.
Heritage Lottery Fund Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) aims to make a lasting difference for heritage, people and communities across the UK and help to build a resilient heritage economy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage.
In the East of England, HLF has awarded more than £400m to over 3,500 projects, www.hlf.org.uk.
For further information or images, please contact:
Elaine Symonds Centre for Computing History
Tel: 01223 214446 M: 0733179293
or Email: Elaine@computinghistory.org.uk