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On 15th February 1951, a LEO diary note read: ‘It can be said that on this day, LEO performed its first programme before HRH Princess Elizabeth.’

On this day 15th of February 1951 Princess Elizabeth visited Cadby hall and was give a demonstration of the Lyons Electronic Office

LEO I was still under development at that time but later in 1951 LEO ran its first programme.

The Society Secretary wrote to the Queen earlier and received this reply a few days ago.

Ernest Lenaerts who was one of the designers of LEO I kept a detailed diary with technical notes and recordings of events left the following entry in his record of 16 February 1951
16-2-51 
HRH was no more and no less impressed than I had expected. The information printed by the Teleprinter was unintelligible except of course for the message printed at the bottom which provided some light relief. Fortunately LEO made few mistakes – obviously not subject to stage fright and the Demo went off smoothly. A little more interest was shown I think in the interior of the machine when she saw the complexity of the circuits – how many of this machines like these in existence?
Only one other in working condition – No others on commercial clerical problems. This auspicious occasion called for an enormous improve in general tidyness of the lab and I must make an effort to preserve this. My own desk was clear for the occasion – the first time in months. Work on the machine can go ahead again and I have been given a more or less free hand to proceed on which problem I deem the best tackled first. The object will be to bring the machine  to full operating condition as soon as possible so that Caminer & Co can get [[weaving]] on some of the programmes that they have kept up their sleeves for so long. The first and most obvious fault to be cleared is the corruption in the Teleprinter which I Think are due to breakthro in the output Unit. Other troubles to be cleared are occasional “1”s being added into the store. These have the effect of spoiling all of the test programmes received from Cambridge ” 

Princess Elizabeth’s visit to Cadby Hall on 15 February 1951 Read More »

WANTED:    all ex-Intercode programmers.
(CLEO people might be interested too)
A message from Ray Smith with Ken Kemp and John Daines.
Further details can be seen HERE

Intercode Programmers Read More »

GREAT NEWS !
We’ve registered with easyfundraising. It’s a great site where you can help Leo Computers Society raise funds simply by doing your normal online shopping.
Every time you shop, we receive a small donation to say ‘thank you!’, and it’s completely free.
Over 3,600 big name retailers are included, such as Amazon, M&S, John Lewis, Argos, eBay and Sainsbury’s. More details HERE

EasyFunding Read More »

A History of LEO, the first business computer
Good news!   The Leo Computers Society has won Heritage Lottery funding with our partners, the Centre for Computing History, Cambridge.
The Press Release can be seen   ..HERE   and a message with more explanation from our Chairman, Peter Byford, can be read HERE..

‘Swiss Rolls, Tea and the Electronic Office: Read More »

An excellent article on the history of LEO has just gone on to The Register website, with input from Frank & Ralph Land.   Read it Here and discover the Nigella Lawson connection

NIGELLA LAWSON AND LEO ! Read More »

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