Manchester Baby First Run
The Manchester Baby, the world's first stored-program computer, is about to execute its first program. The team of scientists and engineers watch intently as the machine processes instructions from it
Setting
Computer Laboratory, University of Manchester, a modest-sized room with high ceilings and large windows. The room is filled with workbenches, equipment, and the Manchester Baby computer itself, a large metal frame with exposed wiring and vacuum tubes.
Characters
Frederic C. Williams
primary
A middle-aged man in his late 40s, with a lean but sturdy build, sharp features, and thinning dark hair combed neatly back. His eyes are keen and observant, framed by wire-rimmed glasses that reflect the dim laboratory lighting.
Tom Kilburn
primary
A lean, wiry man in his late 20s with sharp features and intense dark eyes. His short brown hair is slightly tousled from hours of work, and he has the beginnings of dark circles under his eyes from long nights of preparation.
Geoff Tootill
secondary
Young man in his mid-20s with a wiry build, short dark hair parted neatly to one side, and wire-framed glasses. His hands show faint stains from handling electronic components.
Lab Assistant
secondary
A young man in his early 20s, slight of build with short, neatly combed hair. His face is clean-shaven, and his eyes are bright with curiosity. He wears a pair of round spectacles that occasionally slip down his nose as he works.
Observer
background
A middle-aged man in his late forties, with a lean build and slightly graying hair. His sharp, observant eyes are framed by round spectacles, and he sports a neatly trimmed mustache. His posture is upright, reflecting his academic background.
Dialog
Frederic C. Williams
Right, let's run the first test program. Geoff, monitor the CRT display closely.
Geoff Tootill
Aye, the waveform's holding steady at 2.5 volts. Tube stability looks good... so far.
Tom Kilburn
That's our baby breathing. Like the radar sets at Malvern, but smarter.
Frederic C. Williams
Tom, watch the cathode potential. We can't afford tube burnout now.
Tom Kilburn
Adjusting... there. If this works, we'll be doing arithmetic with lightning.
Geoff Tootill
Sir! The display—it's cycling through addresses properly!
Frederic C. Williams
By Jove... it's actually remembering.