GEC Computers

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Elliott Automation became GEC Computers Limited after the data processing computer products had been passed over to ICT (which later became ICL). Elliott Automation retained the real-time computing systems, renaming itself Marconi Elliott Computer Systems Limited for a short time, and then renaming again to GEC Computers Ltd. GEC Computers retained the original but now aging Elliott 900 series, and needed to develop a new range of systems. Three ranges were identified, known internally as Alpha, Beta, and Gamma. Alpha appeared first and became the GEC 2050 8-bit minicomputer. Beta followed and became the GEC 4080. Gamma was never developed, so a few of its enhanced features were consequently pulled back into the GEC 4080. The principal designer of the GEC 4080 was Dr. Michael Melliar-Smith.

The GEC 4080 hardware and microcode included pioneering process management features. These allowed the efficient implementation of semaphores, asynchronous message passing, and context switching.

Timeline for GEC :

Date Event
Jun 1967 Elliott Automation merges with English Electric
22 Jan 1970 GEC-Elliott gets orders to control Motorways
4 May 1972 GEC launches larger real time machine
13 Sep 1973 GEC moves into the cash card market
20 Sep 1973 Post Office opts for GEC Mark II
16 May 1974 GEC equipment for Underground project
Dec 1980 News Article : More State involvement in micros urged by Labour report
18 Jul 1985 News Article : GEC plans to build £150m chip factory


Hardware Products

GEC 4000 Computer

GEC 4000 Computer
1973
Although we do not have a working model of a GEC 4000 computer, we have been lucky to obtain electronic copies of the following documentation.

Manufacturer : GEC
Type : Computer

GEC 4080 Computer

GEC 4080 Computer
1976
GEC 4080 1976 It was in 1968 that the real-time computing interests of AEI, Elliott-Automation, English Electric and Marconi together with those of GEC, were consolidated under Government inspiration into a single company.

Manufacturer : GEC
Type : Computer

GEC 4100 Computer

GEC 4100 Computer
1985
This computer came from the Baker Street complex that controlled the process for the London Underground, including the timetables and the emergency systems.

Manufacturer : GEC
Type : Computer


Promotional Items

GEC - The Company & Its Products 1976

GEC - The Company & Its Products 1976
1976
Contents:The Company & Its ProductsGEC Computer ApplicationsGEC 2000 Series Brief Technical DescriptionGEC 4000 Series Brief Technical DescriptionPeripherals...

Manufacturer : GEC
Type : Promotional Item


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