[SIGCIS-Members] Ernie goes quantum

[Brian Randell]

Hi:

Here’s an article in The Register about the new generation “Ernie”:

“. . .For computing history nerds, the names Tommy Flowers and Harry Fensom likely conjure up images of the code-breaking Colossus. But after the war, they also had a hand in creating a dearly loved, much-anthropomorphised, millionaire-making machine: ERNIE.

ERNIE – Electronic Random Number Indicator Equipment – is the machine used to crank out millions of random numbers when the Post Office, and now NS&I, selects the winning Premium Bonds each month.

He has been immortalised in songs by Madness and Jethro Tull, and even gets Christmas and Valentine's cards from punters that are most likely recipients of one of the 420 million prizes, worth £19.1bn, handed out since the scheme was launched in 1957. . ..”

Full story and pictures at https://www.theregister.co.uk/2019/03/01/ernie_quantum_el_reg/



Cheers

Brian Randell
—

School of Computing, Newcastle University, 1 Science Square, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 5TG
EMAIL = Brian.Randell at ncl.ac.uk   PHONE = +44 191 208 7923
URL = http://www.ncl.ac.uk/computing/people/profile/brianrandell.html