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Archival description
ELLIOT, William Sydney
GB 0098 B/ELLIOTT, W.S. · Created 1935 - 2000

Papers of William Sydney Elliott 1917 - 2000, comprising biographical material, papers relating to his wartime work including radio-operated fuze and radar including anti-clutter, 1940 - 1946. The documentation comprises correspondence, manuscript and typescript drafts and copies of reports and memoranda. There is also later (to 1993) correspondence and papers relating to the history of radar.

Substantial papers on his early computer work, relating principally to developments at Elliott Brothers and Ferranti Ltd. They include a few original documents, more photocopied material and an extensive late correspondence with fellow computer pioneers and others interested in computer history with manuscript notes of recollections etc, 1948-1996.

There are only three item relating to his time at Cambridge University.

Papers relating to his work at Imperial College London focusing less on his research and more the on his teaching commitments to computer science for the period 1970 - 1972. The research records relate to work funded by Science Research Council and the Department of Trade and Industry. There are manuscripts and typescript drafts, transparencies hand-outs etc for Elliott's teaching on computer architecture and computer design, and CAD and graphics, 1974 - 1983.

Papers relating to lectures, document a number of Elliott's invitations and public lectures, 1962 - 1990. Topics include the computer industry, computer manufacture, CAD and early computer history and several visits to Australia are represented by lectures material.

Publications including a set of off-prints and photocopies of Elliott's publications, 1940-1978, and correspondence and drafts relating to publications, 1968 - 1989.

Papers relating to visits and conferences presents documentation of a small number of visits made and conferences attended, 1949 - 1985. The most substantial documentation relates to Sperry-Univac symposia on CAD and CAE (computer aided engineering) in 1981 and 1982 and a symposium organised by the Fellowship of Engineering on the social and cultural challenge of modern technology in 1983.

Substantial papers relating to his advisory and consultancy work. There are records of Elliott's role as adviser to the government departments on computer matters, especially the Ministry of Technology, 1966 - 1969, and the Ministry of Industry 1976. There are extensive records of Elliott's consultancy work in CAD and the development of automatic office systems. Companies and organisations represented include Lloyd's Register of Shipping, European Space Research Organisation, Unilever, and Wellworthy Ltd (associated Engineering group).

Non-textual material comprises photographs and photographic slides, films, computer disks and technical drawings, 1962 - 1988 though there are undated items relating to Elliott Brothers.

Elliott , William Sydney , 1917 - 2000 , computer engineer