Elliott Brothers - Revision history

Jnc: Correct mistake in the company's eventual fate; reorganize content a bit

2026-09-26T19:54:42Z

Correct mistake in the company's eventual fate; reorganize content a bit

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:54, 26 September 2026
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	'''Elliott Brothers''' (also known as '''Elliott-Automation''', after 1957) was a British computer company. The original parent company had been founded in 1804 as an instrument manufacturer; by the end of that century, they had branched out into telegraph and electrical equipment. Naval fire control equipment became a specialty at the start of the next century, bringing them (as Elliott Brothers (London)) expertise in electro-mechanical [[analog computer]]s.		'''Elliott Brothers''' (also known as '''Elliott-Automation''', after 1957) was a British computer company.

			It is perhaps best-known to history for the [[ALGOL]] [[compiler]] for the Elliott 803, largely written by [[Tony Hoare]] (who had been hired by Elliotts as a [[programmer]] in August 1960). His experiences with ALGOL were an inspiration for his famous 1980 [[Turing Award]] lecture, ''The Emperor's Old Clothes'' - see link below).

			==History==

			The original parent company had been founded in 1804 as an instrument manufacturer; by the end of that century, they had branched out into telegraph and electrical equipment. Naval fire control equipment became a specialty at the start of the next century, bringing them (as Elliott Brothers (London)) expertise in electro-mechanical [[analog computer]]s.

	At the end of the Second World War, that firm started a branch, at Borehamwood in Hertfordshire, to work on a new generation of [[electronic]] fire control equipment, including [[radar]], for the Royal Navy. Originally [[analog]], that work soon delved into [[digital]] techniques. In 1950, Elliott Brothers began to look for civil markets where they could use their new digital expertise, and they started to make computers, and investigate the usage of computers in manufacturing automation.		At the end of the Second World War, that firm started a branch, at Borehamwood in Hertfordshire, to work on a new generation of [[electronic]] fire control equipment, including [[radar]], for the Royal Navy. Originally [[analog]], that work soon delved into [[digital]] techniques. In 1950, Elliott Brothers began to look for civil markets where they could use their new digital expertise, and they started to make computers, and investigate the usage of computers in manufacturing automation.

	~~In 1968~~, in ~~an attempt to form a strong national computer manufacturer,~~ the commercial data processing element of Elliott Brothers ~~was~~ merged ~~with~~ [[~~International~~ Computers ~~and Tabulators~~]], to form ~~[[International Computers Limited]]. The remaining [[real-time]] systems part of Elliott-Automation~~ was merged with ~~similar elements of GEC, Marconi, and~~ [[~~English Electric~~ Computers~~\|English Electric~~]] ~~in 1969~~, to form ~~Marconi Elliott Computer Systems Limited, re-named~~ [[~~GEC~~ Computers]] ~~in 1972~~.		Although initially fairly successful, in 1967 business difficulties forced the commercial data processing element of Elliott Brothers to be merged into [[English Electric Computers]]. (Shortly thereafter, in an attempt to form a strong national computer manufacturer, English Electric itself was merged with [[International Computers and Tabulators]], to form [[International Computers Limited]].)

	~~It is perhaps best-known to history for the~~ [[~~ALGOL~~]] [[~~compiler~~]] ~~for the Elliott 803~~, ~~largely written by~~ [[~~Tony Hoare~~]] ~~(who had been hired by Elliotts as a~~ [[~~programmer~~]] in ~~August 1960). His experiences with ALGOL were an inspiration for his famous 1980~~ [[~~Turing Award~~]] ~~lecture, ''The Emperor's Old Clothes'' - see link below)~~.		The remaining [[real-time]] systems part of Elliott-Automation was merged with similar elements of [[General Electric Company]], [[Associated Electrical Industries]], [[Marconi]], and English Electric in 1969, to form Marconi Elliott Computer Systems Limited; later re-named [[GEC Computers]] in 1972.

	{{semi-stub}}		{{semi-stub}}
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	* Simon H. Lavington, [https://books.google.com/books?id=Dhk9wHXfQMkC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false ''Moving Targets: Elliott-Automation and the Dawn of the Computer Age in Britain, 1947–67''], Springer, New York, 2011		* Simon H. Lavington, [https://books.google.com/books?id=Dhk9wHXfQMkC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false ''Moving Targets: Elliott-Automation and the Dawn of the Computer Age in Britain, 1947–67''], Springer, New York, 2011
	~~<!--~~
	* Martin Campbell-Kelly, ''ICL: A Business and Technical History'', Clarendon, Oxford, 1989 - EEC coverage is scattered throughout; consult the index - the merger with ICT is covered in Chapter 12, pp. 255-264
	~~-->~~

	==External links==		==External links==

Jnc: Fix typo

2026-09-24T20:48:30Z

Fix typo

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:48, 24 September 2026
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	At the end of the Second World War, that firm started a branch, at Borehamwood in Hertfordshire, to work on a new generation of [[electronic]] fire control equipment, including [[radar]], for the Royal Navy. Originally [[analog]], that work soon delved into [[digital]] techniques. In 1950, Elliott Brothers began to look for civil markets where they could use their new digital expertise, and they started to make computers, and investigate the usage of computers in manufacturing automation.		At the end of the Second World War, that firm started a branch, at Borehamwood in Hertfordshire, to work on a new generation of [[electronic]] fire control equipment, including [[radar]], for the Royal Navy. Originally [[analog]], that work soon delved into [[digital]] techniques. In 1950, Elliott Brothers began to look for civil markets where they could use their new digital expertise, and they started to make computers, and investigate the usage of computers in manufacturing automation.

	In ~~1958~~, in an attempt to form a strong national computer manufacturer, the commercial data processing element of Elliott Brothers was merged with [[International Computers and Tabulators]], to form [[International Computers Limited]]. The remaining [[real-time]] systems part of Elliott-Automation was merged with similar elements of GEC, Marconi, and [[English Electric Computers\|English Electric]] in 1969, to form Marconi Elliott Computer Systems Limited, re-named [[GEC Computers]] in 1972.		In 1968, in an attempt to form a strong national computer manufacturer, the commercial data processing element of Elliott Brothers was merged with [[International Computers and Tabulators]], to form [[International Computers Limited]]. The remaining [[real-time]] systems part of Elliott-Automation was merged with similar elements of GEC, Marconi, and [[English Electric Computers\|English Electric]] in 1969, to form Marconi Elliott Computer Systems Limited, re-named [[GEC Computers]] in 1972.

	It is perhaps best-known to history for the [[ALGOL]] [[compiler]] for the Elliott 803, largely written by [[Tony Hoare]] (who had been hired by Elliotts as a [[programmer]] in August 1960). His experiences with ALGOL were an inspiration for his famous 1980 [[Turing Award]] lecture, ''The Emperor's Old Clothes'' - see link below).		It is perhaps best-known to history for the [[ALGOL]] [[compiler]] for the Elliott 803, largely written by [[Tony Hoare]] (who had been hired by Elliotts as a [[programmer]] in August 1960). His experiences with ALGOL were an inspiration for his famous 1980 [[Turing Award]] lecture, ''The Emperor's Old Clothes'' - see link below).

Jnc: Also manufacturing automation

2025-02-19T18:36:28Z

Also manufacturing automation

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:36, 19 February 2025
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	'''Elliott Brothers''' (also known as '''Elliott-Automation''') was a British computer company. The original parent company had been founded in 1804 as an instrument manufacturer; by the end of that century, they had branched out into telegraph and electrical equipment. Naval fire control equipment became a specialty at the start of the next century, bringing them (as Elliott Brothers (London)) expertise in electro-mechanical [[analog computer]]s.		'''Elliott Brothers''' (also known as '''Elliott-Automation''', after 1957) was a British computer company. The original parent company had been founded in 1804 as an instrument manufacturer; by the end of that century, they had branched out into telegraph and electrical equipment. Naval fire control equipment became a specialty at the start of the next century, bringing them (as Elliott Brothers (London)) expertise in electro-mechanical [[analog computer]]s.

	At the end of the Second World War, that firm started a branch, at Borehamwood in Hertfordshire, to work on a new generation of [[electronic]] fire control equipment, including [[radar]], for the Royal Navy. Originally [[analog]], that work soon delved into [[digital]] techniques. In 1950, Elliott Brothers began to look for civil markets where they could use their new digital expertise, and they started to make computers.		At the end of the Second World War, that firm started a branch, at Borehamwood in Hertfordshire, to work on a new generation of [[electronic]] fire control equipment, including [[radar]], for the Royal Navy. Originally [[analog]], that work soon delved into [[digital]] techniques. In 1950, Elliott Brothers began to look for civil markets where they could use their new digital expertise, and they started to make computers, and investigate the usage of computers in manufacturing automation.

	In 1958, in an attempt to form a strong national computer manufacturer, the commercial data processing element of Elliott Brothers was merged with [[International Computers and Tabulators]], to form [[International Computers Limited]]. The remaining [[real-time]] systems part of Elliott-Automation was merged with similar elements of GEC, Marconi, and [[English Electric Computers\|English Electric]] in 1969, to form Marconi Elliott Computer Systems Limited, re-named [[GEC Computers]] in 1972.		In 1958, in an attempt to form a strong national computer manufacturer, the commercial data processing element of Elliott Brothers was merged with [[International Computers and Tabulators]], to form [[International Computers Limited]]. The remaining [[real-time]] systems part of Elliott-Automation was merged with similar elements of GEC, Marconi, and [[English Electric Computers\|English Electric]] in 1969, to form Marconi Elliott Computer Systems Limited, re-named [[GEC Computers]] in 1972.

Jnc: Add a thumbnail company history

2025-02-18T20:13:14Z

Add a thumbnail company history

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:13, 18 February 2025
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	'''Elliott Brothers''' (also known as '''Elliott-Automation''') was a British computer company.		'''Elliott Brothers''' (also known as '''Elliott-Automation''') was a British computer company. The original parent company had been founded in 1804 as an instrument manufacturer; by the end of that century, they had branched out into telegraph and electrical equipment. Naval fire control equipment became a specialty at the start of the next century, bringing them (as Elliott Brothers (London)) expertise in electro-mechanical [[analog computer]]s.

			At the end of the Second World War, that firm started a branch, at Borehamwood in Hertfordshire, to work on a new generation of [[electronic]] fire control equipment, including [[radar]], for the Royal Navy. Originally [[analog]], that work soon delved into [[digital]] techniques. In 1950, Elliott Brothers began to look for civil markets where they could use their new digital expertise, and they started to make computers.

	In 1958, in an attempt to form a strong national computer manufacturer, the commercial data processing element of Elliott Brothers was merged with [[International Computers and Tabulators]], to form [[International Computers Limited]]. The remaining [[real-time]] systems part of Elliott-Automation was merged with similar elements of GEC, Marconi, and [[English Electric Computers\|English Electric]] in 1969, to form Marconi Elliott Computer Systems Limited, re-named [[GEC Computers]] in 1972.		In 1958, in an attempt to form a strong national computer manufacturer, the commercial data processing element of Elliott Brothers was merged with [[International Computers and Tabulators]], to form [[International Computers Limited]]. The remaining [[real-time]] systems part of Elliott-Automation was merged with similar elements of GEC, Marconi, and [[English Electric Computers\|English Electric]] in 1969, to form Marconi Elliott Computer Systems Limited, re-named [[GEC Computers]] in 1972.

Jnc: /* External links */ +Elliott Brothers-related material

2025-02-12T01:50:25Z

External links: +Elliott Brothers-related material

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:50, 12 February 2025
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	* [https://www.billp.org/ccs/A104/ 803 ALGOL] - manual for Elliott 803 [[ALGOL]]		* [https://www.billp.org/ccs/A104/ 803 ALGOL] - manual for Elliott 803 [[ALGOL]]
	* [https://dl.acm.org/doi/pdf/10.1145/358549.358561 The Emperor's Old Clothes]		* [https://dl.acm.org/doi/pdf/10.1145/358549.358561 The Emperor's Old Clothes]
			* [https://www.ancientgeek.org.uk/ICL/An_ICL_Anthology.pdf An ICL Anthology] - contains Elliott Brothers-related content on pp. 70-72 (of the PDF)
			* [https://www.ancientgeek.org.uk/ICL/Another_ICL_Anthology.pdf Another ICL Anthology] - contains Elliott Brothers-related content on pp. 50-51

	[[Category: Manufacturers]]		[[Category: British Manufacturers]]

Jnc: /* Further reading */ online copy

2025-02-08T12:41:48Z

Jnc: Farly stubby, but it's a place to hold stuff I run across

2025-01-20T17:08:39Z

Farly stubby, but it's a place to hold stuff I run across

New page

'''Elliott Brothers''' (also known as '''Elliott-Automation''') was a British computer company.

In 1958, in an attempt to form a strong national computer manufacturer, the commercial data processing element of Elliott Brothers was merged with [[International Computers and Tabulators]], to form [[International Computers Limited]]. The remaining [[real-time]] systems part of Elliott-Automation was merged with similar elements of GEC, Marconi, and [[English Electric Computers|English Electric]] in 1969, to form Marconi Elliott Computer Systems Limited, re-named [[GEC Computers]] in 1972.

It is perhaps best-known to history for the [[ALGOL]] [[compiler]] for the Elliott 803, largely written by [[Tony Hoare]] (who had been hired by Elliotts as a [[programmer]] in August 1960). His experiences with ALGOL were an inspiration for his famous 1980 [[Turing Award]] lecture, ''The Emperor's Old Clothes'' - see link below).

{{semi-stub}}

==Further reading==

* Simon H. Lavington, ''Moving Targets: Elliott-Automation and the Dawn of the Computer Age in Britain, 1947–67'', Springer, New York, 2011

==External links==

* [https://www.ourcomputerheritage.org/Maincomp/Eli/eli_co.pdf Elliott Brothers (London) Ltd. and Elliott-Automation]
** [https://www.ourcomputerheritage.org/Maincomp/Eli/ellio_15.htm Elliott Brothers. Ltd. Mainframes]
** [https://www.ourcomputerheritage.org/Maincomp/Eli/eli_gal1.htm Elliott Photo Gallery Page]
* [https://www.ancientgeek.org.uk/Elliott/ Elliott] - manuals, marketing material and captioned images for several Elliott Brothers computers
* [https://www.billp.org/ccs/A104/ 803 ALGOL] - manual for Elliott 803 [[ALGOL]]
* [https://dl.acm.org/doi/pdf/10.1145/358549.358561 The Emperor's Old Clothes]

[[Category: Manufacturers]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:41, 8 February 2025
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	==Further reading==		==Further reading==

	* Simon H. Lavington, ''Moving Targets: Elliott-Automation and the Dawn of the Computer Age in Britain, 1947–67'', Springer, New York, 2011		* Simon H. Lavington, [https://books.google.com/books?id=Dhk9wHXfQMkC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false ''Moving Targets: Elliott-Automation and the Dawn of the Computer Age in Britain, 1947–67''], Springer, New York, 2011
	<!--		<!--
	* Martin Campbell-Kelly, ''ICL: A Business and Technical History'', Clarendon, Oxford, 1989 - EEC coverage is scattered throughout; consult the index - the merger with ICT is covered in Chapter 12, pp. 255-264		* Martin Campbell-Kelly, ''ICL: A Business and Technical History'', Clarendon, Oxford, 1989 - EEC coverage is scattered throughout; consult the index - the merger with ICT is covered in Chapter 12, pp. 255-264
	-->		-->

	==External links==		==External links==