Harwell computer

The Harwell computer, or Harwell Dekatron computer, later known as the Wolverhampton Instrument for Teaching Computing from Harwell (WITCH), is an early British computer of the 1950s based on valves and relays. From 2009 to 2012, it was restored at the National Museum of Computing. In 2013, for the second time, the Guinness Book of World Records recognised it as the world's oldest working digital computer, following its restoration. It previously held the title for several years until it was decommissioned in 1973. The museum uses the computer's visual, dekatron-based memory to teach schoolchildren about computers.

This article is about the pre-transistor dekatron computer from Harwell. For the later transistor computer from Harwell, see Harwell CADET.
Harwell computer
The Harwell Dekatron computer
Also known asWolverhampton Instrument for Teaching Computing from Harwell (WITCH)
DeveloperAtomic Energy Research Establishment in Harwell, Berkshire
Release dateMay 1952 (1952-05)
Discontinued1973 (1973)
CPURelays for sequence control and valve-based (vacuum tube) electronics for calculations
Memory20 (later 40) eight-digit dekatron registers
StoragePaper tape
DisplayEither a Creed teleprinter or a paper tape punch
Power1.5 kW
Mass2.5 tonnes
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