LEO editor

Interviewer: Google
Date of Interview: 21.11.2011
Role in LEO: Design Engineer, head of engineering procurement Joined LEO: 1949

Abstract: Google interviewed and filmed a number of old LEO employees including Ernest Kaye as part of the celebration at the Science Museum of the 60th anniversary of the roll out of the first business application on the LEO I computer. Narrated by Georgina Ferry.

Repository: Interview Text:

Type of recorder:
Film: YouTube Copyright: Google Free to view.

Interviewee: Ernest Kaye Read More »

DOB: 1930 Died: Aug 2019

Interviewer: Janet Abbate
Date of Interview: September 2001
Role in LEO: Programmer on LEO I and LEO II/I Joined LEO: 1953

Abstract: Betty joined Lyons as a labour cost clerk in the Statistical Office in September 1949. In 1953 she was selected for a LEO appreciation course, and as a result was offered a job as a programmer on LEO I. Despite scepticism about what LEO would be able to do she accepted the offer. She worked on a number of applications – payroll under Mary Blood (Coombs) and Tea Blending under Frank Land. She gained a reputation as a sound and reliable programmer. She left LEO to work as a programmer with EverReady before leaving to start a family.

Reference: Oral-History:Betty_Cooper and CCH

Interviewee: Betty Cooper (nee Newman) Read More »

Interviewee: John M.M. Pinkerton Interviewer: Chris Evans
Date of Interview: 1975
Role in LEO: Chief Engineer Joined LEO: 1948

1919-1997

Abstract: John Pinkerton joined Lyons as chief engineer at the very beginning of the LEO initiatve and led the engineering side until the merger with English Electric. He held senior engineering appointments within the merged companies until his retirement. Much of the success of the LEO enterprise lay in his genius for bringing innovative ideas to practical fruition – one of the true heroes of the information age.

Repository: London Science Museum
Audio Recording: Tape 6 in Christopher Evans’s ‘Pioneers of Computing’

Interviewee: John M.M. Pinkerton (2) Read More »

Interviewee: John M.M. Pinkerton 

Interviewer: John Pinkerton, self interview 

Date of Interview: 23.08.1988
Role in LEO: Chief Engineer
Joined LEO: 1948

Abstract: Pinkerton begins by discussing his education and wartime work in radar technology in England. He then describes his movement into the computer industry after World War II and his work on the LEO I and LEO II computers. In this context he discusses the British computer firms J. Lyons and Company, Leo Computers, English Electric Co., and International Computers Ltd.

Repository: Charles Babbage Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis Transcript: 54 pages
Copyright: Charles Babbage Institute
Download: Document

Interviewee: John M.M. Pinkerton (1) Read More »

Interviewer: Chris Evans
Date of Interview: !970s
Edited Transcript: Science Museum Copyright: Science Museum

Reprinted as Interview between J.R.M. Simmons, Director and Chief Comptroller of J. Lyons & Co., and the Science Museum, London. Appendix B, in Caminer, D.T., Aris, J.B., Hermon, P.M., Lanf, F.F. (editors and contributors) LEO The Incredible Story of the Wold’s first Business Computer, McGraw Hill, New York, pages 360-374

Interviewee: John Simmons Read More »

  • Interviewee: Alan Sercombe                                                  DOB:  1934

Interviewer: John Hoey

Date of Interview: 23/07/2014

Role in LEO: Programmer

Joined LEO: 1959

Abstract: Alan received degree in mathematics and after National Service joined Armstrong Siddeley as a programmer on a Ferranti Mark I.  The company’s merger with another aircraft manufacturer led to his leaving and joining LEO.  He worked on the LEO II at Standard Motors, but in 1963 joined Peter Gyngell in Australia working with a number of LEO computers sold in Australia and later with EELM and then ICL; finishing his career in 1996 as a very senior member of the successor companies working in an administrative and legal capacity.Repository: http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/50623/Alan-Sercombe-Interview-23-July-2014-50623/

Interviewee: Alan Sercombe Read More »

Interviewee: Betty Cooper (nee Newman) DOB: 1930

Interviewer: Janet Abbate

Date of Interview: September 2001

Role in LEO: Programmer on LEO I and LEO II/I

Joined LEO: 1953

Abstract: Betty joined Lyons as a labour cost clerk in the Statistical Office in September 1949. In 1953 she was selected for a LEO appreciation course, and as a result was offered a job as a programmer on LEO I. Despite scepticism about what LEO would be able to do she accepted the offer. She worked on a number of applications – payroll under Mary Blood (Coombs) and Tea Blending under Frank Land. She gained a reputation as a sound and reliable programmer. She left LEO to work as a programmer with EverReady before leaving to start a family.

Copyright: IEEE

A transcript of this interview is available on the ETHW website.

Please Note: This item is not in the LEO Computers Oral History and this is a pointer to it.

Date : September 2001

Interviewee: Betty Cooper Read More »

  • Interviewee: John Daines                                                        DOB: 28th July 1943  

Interviewer:  Ray Hennessy

Date of Interview: 26/04/2012

Role in LEO: Computer Operator

Joined LEO: October 1961

Abstract: John was an operator in the LEO II bureau and then did acceptance trials for LEO III systems in the Minerva Road factory before moving onto System 4 trials and software development.  His oral history covers the role of operators in the early days.  He progressed through ICL until retirement as a senior consultant in 2002. Active member of LEO Computers Society

Repository: http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/53366/John-Daines-Interview-26-April-2012-53366/

Copyright: LEO Computers Society

Interviewee: John Daines  Read More »

  • Interviewee: Simon Benedictus         DOB: 1933

Interviewer:  David Phillips

Date of Interview: 17.04.2012

Role in LEO: Statistician

Joined LEO: 

Abstract: Mathematics degree from Imperial College, followed after National Service by Masters  in Statistics from LSE.  Joined Lyons Maid (Ice Cream division of J. Lyons) working on weather based Ice Cream forecasting. Helped define LEO Ice Cream sales job, later working on bakery sales. Remained an employee of J. Lyons.

Repository: Partially edited Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1P6_RbLBT7dZ21Pajr1GmH26DfaZy9ITK/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106995194925914651236&rtpof=true&sd=true

Recording:          Part 1: https://www.dropbox.com/home/LEO%20Oral%20History%20project/LEO%20Oral%20History%20Recordings/Simon%20Benidictus%20interview?preview=BENIDICTUS+PT1.m4a

                              Part 2:https://www.dropbox.com/home/LEO%20Oral%20History%20project/LEO%20Oral%20History%20Recordings/Simon%20Benidictus%20interview?preview=BENIDICTUS+PT2.m4a

Recording: MP3/4

Text: Dropbox Unedited Transcripts Part 1 &2  https://www.dropbox.com/search/personal?path=%2F&preview=Simon+Benedictus+Unedited.doc&qsid=28523817330004498807401206891638&query=simon&search_token=maaZCi5EZfs9ghMHde3MaOmE5gIkeIs7mVlUbNhfSkQ%3D

Link: http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/53367/Simon-Benedictus-Interview/

Copyright: LEO Computers Society                  

Interviewee: Simon Benedictus  Read More »

  • Interviewee: Roger Coleman                                                   DOB: 1932

Interviewer: Tim-Greening Jackson

Date of Interview: 22.05.2008

Role in LEO: Computer Programmer, Systems Analyst

Joined LEO: December 1954

Abstract: Roger left Mill Hill school in 1950 to self-study to become an actuary but in 1954 responded to an advertisement for a programmer job at Cadby Hall. Joined LEO aged 22, the then youngest programmer. Rapid progress led to him being given the British Rail station to station distancing job working with John Gosden under David Caminer. The oral history is confined to his early career and the details of the BR job.  A text-only Part 1 to the composite oral history provides a summary of his career to retirement.  His career after leaving LEO in 1957 included managing the LEO 2/9 at Ilford Limited, working for Ford Motor Company and rising to head much of their European Computer organisation, and finishing his career as a private consultant.

Repository:  

Composite Oral History: https://docs.google.com/document/d/12xzlyGxQrqJe6Y6Dp9QLpO6vAqb4JLmx/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106995194925914651236&rtpof=true&sd=true

Link: http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/53368/Roger-Coleman-Interview/

Recording: Windows Media Player

Copyright: Tim Greening-Jackson, but unrestricted access permitted subject to due acknowledgements. 

Restrictions: None Known

Interviewee: Roger Coleman Read More »