Science Museum

We had originally thought about spending a couple of nights in Paddington Basin so that we could have a day doing 'something' in London. we took it easy for the first part of the morning and sussed out what sort of location we were moored at. In the end we decided that it seemed safe enough to lock up and leave the boat for a few hours. There were several other boats on this stretch as well as some permanently moored on the offside (but easily accessible from the street). The boat which arrived after us last night and was in the next space along had already locked up and left.

So, by 11:30 we hid valuables, locked everything we could and walked the short distance to Westbourne Park station, just five minutes away. We were headed for the Science Museum - Christine had spotted that they have an exhibition about the life and work of Alan Turing.

Science Museum

It was quite warm when we left with some tentative sunshine - by the time we arrived at the museum it was less pleasant.

We explore the Turing exhibition - as well as his mathematical and cryptographic work, it was interesting to note his keen interest in supernatural matters. It was even suggested that his ideas about stored programs originated in his observations about human relationships, especially those between master and servant.

Enigma Machine

The displays included an Enigma machine: the breaking of its codes used for Naval communications in the Second World War by the Germans was perhaps what Alan Turing is best remembered for.

E Main FrameHowever, the ACE computer which he designed had possibly had more influence over the shape of society than most other technological developments.

ACE Main Frame

Time then for a spot of lunch - a couple of panini sandwiches were quite tasty, albeit not cheap! As we walked back through the main ground floor gallery, Christine remarked that this looked like a real piece of machinery.

The pace of increase in computing complexity is often overlooked and there were several examples of items which Mike has use some time in the past.

His first experiences with English Electric, over 50 years ago, included not only DEUCE - the commercial development of ACE and looking remarkably similar - but also the humbler Brunsviga calculator.

Brunsviga Calculator

In the early 1950's, when a teenager in south London, Mike came here many times. The style of exhibition today is very different from then but it was interesting to spot many items that have been on display since those days.

Jacquard Loom

Mike can recall a visit specifically to look at the Jacquard loom operated by punched cards, just one of the forerunners of the computing era. At that time he was able to ask one of the museum staff to demonstrate it in operation. I suspect that today's school visitors might not be so lucky!

ANITA Calculator

The early ANITA electronic calculator was used in a school open day (Founder's Day) when it was loaned by a parent as an example of the very latest developments. It was used that day in conjunction with a Foucault Pendulum, inspired by seeing it in the Science Museum, which Mike and others had erected.

Foucault Pendulum

Time then to make our way back to the boat - this time we took a different route via Hammersmith. By now it was raining hard and we were glad not to be planning on moving anywhere else today.

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