January Speaker: David McAdam: The Age of Computers
David’s presentation covered an interesting time from the mid-1950s when computers world-wide were developing at a rapid pace. David graduated as a civil/structural engineer from the University of Technology, Sydney. In 1958, he worked first at AGL using an IBM650 where his job involved using punched cards for gas bills, followed by employment at the Commonwealth Department of Works.
The IBM650 had a magnetic data-storage drum which allowed much faster access to stored information than other drum-based machines. This model was also highly popular in universities where many students first learned programming. In those days many computers were very large. We were shown a series of photographs illustrating an incredible range of huge computers, both in Australia and overseas. David compared the size of one computer centre as the size of an aircraft hangar.
In 1962 David joined Australian General Electric’s Computer Department using a GE225 computer and developing his programming skills. He progressed to Westpac teaching programmers and was involved with the introduction of MICR (Magnetic Ink Character Recognition) printing in Australia used by banks placing numbers and characters at the bottom of cheques. This was followed by a number of computer assignments in Europe and the United States, including six months at Phoenix Software Development. In 1969, David was recruited to join Cybernet Services of Control Data Australia where he was involved in installing Australia’s first super computer in North Sydney.
In 1976, David moved from large computer companies to mini computers. In 1977 he set up his own company to market and design 3D Design and Engineering Analysis Software. The age of the PC had arrived.
David is to be commended for his career in computers, both overseas and in Australia and we thank him for sharing his vast experience with us.
Reporter: Paul Berger