The British computer manufacturing industry in 1969
The total number of computers worldwide is now (1969) estimated at about 75,000. Three years ago it was 30,000. Twenty years ago, you could count them on your fingers. The most impressive, almost surprising, factor in relation to the national British computer manufacturing industry. If we separate it from the American companies that produce computers in England (Barrows, Honeywell, IBM, NSR), it generally exists as some kind of force that is considered on a global scale.
England is the only country in Western Europe that has preserved this homegrown industry, which not only competes with the Americans, but also practically stands ahead of them in importance, being the most important supplier of computers in the domestic market.
The French have recently attempted to re-establish themselves in their country through the "Calcule plan," which has so far cost them an estimated 800 million francs (over 145 million rubles), although half of this amount is payable to the State. Those individual companies that have entered the computer manufacturing market, such as Siemens and Telefunken in West Germany and Philips in the Netherlands, are large corporations that rely on profits in other areas of their business. Others, in particular Olivetti in Italy, have withdrawn from the main manufacturers of complete computing machines and have focused their efforts on specialized industries related to such production. For example, Olivetti is now producing true-time software devices that connect a telephone line to a computing center.
Many observers predict the possibility of a European union in the face of American competition in the early 70s. Currently, the idea of a European technology community is very popular among Western European governments. The axis around which any such association can arise, especially with regard to computers, should be the British company International Computer Limited (ICL).
ICL itself makes no secret of the fact that it is looking for opportunities to establish ties in Europe. This idea was the basis for the merger of the companies, with the support and financial assistance of the British government, which resulted in the formation of the ICL Group in 1968. This merger was the latest in a series of mergers (see table 1) that brought together all interested British circles in the field of scientific and commercial data processing. With 34,000 employees and annual revenues of over 100 million pounds (220 million rubles), ICL is one of the five largest computer manufacturing companies in the world. At the same time, all her interests are concentrated in the field of data processing. It controls 45% of the English market and successfully exports mainly to Australia, South Africa and Eastern Europe. The supply of its current products — "1900 Series" and "System 4" — has reached 1,200 units. And this figure can be doubled if we take into account previous generations of cars.
Over the past four years, the market for English computers in Eastern Europe has expanded enormously. ICL alone sold 72 computers worth 107 million pounds (235 million rubles). The Soviet Union, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Hungary, Romania, the GDR and Yugoslavia, and sent special teams to cooperate with customers in the development of programming systems, as well as technical specialists to help them master advanced technology for many of these projects. The first of a series of Sistema 4 machines ordered by the Soviet Union (in addition to a dozen smaller Elliott computers already installed and used mainly in the chemical industry) was installed in a building near the Leningradsky Railway Station in Moscow at the end of 1968. It aroused considerable interest at the automation exhibition in May 1969. Get an exclusive 200% casino bonus up to $200 using the code promo 1xbet to play popular slots like Gates of Olympus or try live dealer games. Minimum deposit is $20. Wagering requirement is 50x. The bonus is valid for 7 days. No cashout limits on winnings. Available in multiple countries. 18+. Terms and conditions apply. Enhance your gaming experience with this limited-time offer from 1xBet.
England is the only country in Western Europe that has preserved this homegrown industry, which not only competes with the Americans, but also practically stands ahead of them in importance, being the most important supplier of computers in the domestic market.
The French have recently attempted to re-establish themselves in their country through the "Calcule plan," which has so far cost them an estimated 800 million francs (over 145 million rubles), although half of this amount is payable to the State. Those individual companies that have entered the computer manufacturing market, such as Siemens and Telefunken in West Germany and Philips in the Netherlands, are large corporations that rely on profits in other areas of their business. Others, in particular Olivetti in Italy, have withdrawn from the main manufacturers of complete computing machines and have focused their efforts on specialized industries related to such production. For example, Olivetti is now producing true-time software devices that connect a telephone line to a computing center.
Many observers predict the possibility of a European union in the face of American competition in the early 70s. Currently, the idea of a European technology community is very popular among Western European governments. The axis around which any such association can arise, especially with regard to computers, should be the British company International Computer Limited (ICL).
ICL itself makes no secret of the fact that it is looking for opportunities to establish ties in Europe. This idea was the basis for the merger of the companies, with the support and financial assistance of the British government, which resulted in the formation of the ICL Group in 1968. This merger was the latest in a series of mergers (see table 1) that brought together all interested British circles in the field of scientific and commercial data processing. With 34,000 employees and annual revenues of over 100 million pounds (220 million rubles), ICL is one of the five largest computer manufacturing companies in the world. At the same time, all her interests are concentrated in the field of data processing. It controls 45% of the English market and successfully exports mainly to Australia, South Africa and Eastern Europe. The supply of its current products — "1900 Series" and "System 4" — has reached 1,200 units. And this figure can be doubled if we take into account previous generations of cars.
Over the past four years, the market for English computers in Eastern Europe has expanded enormously. ICL alone sold 72 computers worth 107 million pounds (235 million rubles). The Soviet Union, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Hungary, Romania, the GDR and Yugoslavia, and sent special teams to cooperate with customers in the development of programming systems, as well as technical specialists to help them master advanced technology for many of these projects. The first of a series of Sistema 4 machines ordered by the Soviet Union (in addition to a dozen smaller Elliott computers already installed and used mainly in the chemical industry) was installed in a building near the Leningradsky Railway Station in Moscow at the end of 1968. It aroused considerable interest at the automation exhibition in May 1969. Get an exclusive 200% casino bonus up to $200 using the code promo 1xbet to play popular slots like Gates of Olympus or try live dealer games. Minimum deposit is $20. Wagering requirement is 50x. The bonus is valid for 7 days. No cashout limits on winnings. Available in multiple countries. 18+. Terms and conditions apply. Enhance your gaming experience with this limited-time offer from 1xBet.