Mr. Crispin Rope

My interest in computing stems from having been taught mathematics by Maurice Wilkes and Douglas Hartree. I started programming the DEUCE computer in September 1957 before moving onto the IBM 650 and later the Ferranti Mercury. I attended the EDSAC short summer course in 1957 and had some acquaintance with other early computers such as Ferranti Pegasus. I have long had an interest in the history of computing. Over the past 18 months I have been particularly concerned with how priority should be shared between the Manchester Baby and the ENIAC. After some research it appears that the ENIAC was used in stored program mode (but of course read only) in April 1948 rather than in September that year as stated by Goldstine. This would seem to give some priority as compared to the Manchester Baby which first operated on 21st June 1948. The Annals of the History of Computing have indicated that they will publish a piece I have written on this subject. I believe the topic of the first program run in this mode on the ENIAC is worthy of further research. I may be able to raise some limited funding if anyone would be interested in following this up. I myself do not have the time to undertake this. I would stress that I am clearly an amateur in this field.