Atlas Computer Laboratory

Atlas Computer Laboratory was a specialized research facility on the Harwell site equipped with advanced equipment for computational work and data processing. The installation handled scientific calculations for British universities and government agencies through its modern computer systems.

The facility opened in 1961 with a Ferranti Atlas 1 computer that was one of the most powerful machines of its era. It operated until the mid-1970s and played a key role in advancing British computing technology.

Scientists from across Britain came together here to advance programming methods and create mathematical solutions for complex research problems. This collaboration shaped how the nation approached computer science during the facility's working years.

The facility required specialized staff and regular maintenance of its computing systems to meet the demands of British universities and agencies. Visitors should know that operations were highly technical and largely limited to internal use by authorized researchers.

The laboratory owned a Stromberg-Carlson microfilm device that produced digital animations in the early 1980s for visual effects work. These animations were later used in feature films and demonstrated how computers could contribute to filmmaking at that time.