Conversation: J.M.M. Pinkerton

Tape 6 in Christopher Evans's "Pioneers of Computing" series is a 1975 interview with John M. M. Pinkerton, edited excerpts of which are printed here. A focal point of the interview is Pinkerton's role in the design and construction of LEO I at J. Lyons & Co. in Great Britain. LEO (Lyons Electronic Office) was inspired by and based on Maurice V. Wilkes's pioneering EDSAC and was one of the first electronic computers designed specifically for commercial rather than scientific use. LEO heralded today's revolution in office work-a revolution whose ultimate impact is still in our future.