Fifty Years Ago .... from the pages of Computer Weekly

11th July 1974 computing, compiled by TNMOC volunteer archivist, Brian Aldous.

A selection of stories from Computer Weekly from 11th July 1974. The full archive of Computer Weekly can be seen at TNMOC, where there are special rolling displays of front pages from 25 and 40 years ago.

Laboratory on the right the lines: A mobile laboratory, which includes Hewlett-Packard equipment, is currently being used by British Rail in experiments it is conducting on Inter-City express trains. Known as Test Coach Mercury, the laboratory is being used between London and Birmingham. If successful, the experiments could form the basis of a system which would display information to drivers about the running of their trains. Initially, 30 Plessey transponders have been fitted on the north-bound Euston-Birmingham track, and by the end of the year about 150 units will have been installed to cover operation in both directions. As Mercury passes over the transponders, signals are transmitted from an underfloor aerial. On receipt of a signal, each transponder generates a unique code in the form of binary coded decimal numbers, which can be used to represent messages, such as a position code or a speed restriction. The returning signal from the transponder is fed in to processing equipment and the resulting code passed to an H-P 2116B minicomputer. This then checks the data received against a known sequence held in store, and the results recorded on paper tape for later analysis. (CW 401 11/7/1974 p10)