Computer Weekly donates 44-year archive to National Museum of Computing

Computer Weekly is proud to announce it has donated a copy of its 44-year archive to the National Museum of Computing.

Computer Weekly was the world's first weekly computer publication, established in 1966, and the 104-volume archive represents a unique record of the history and achievements of the UK IT industry.

The back copies are now accessible to researchers on request at the museum's archive in Bletchley Park, the historic site of the UK's World War II codebreaking operations.

A copy of Computer Weekly's photo archive has also been provided to the museum, and this will be digitised and made available through the National Museum of Computing website.

Kevin Murrell, trustee and director of the museum, said, "These beautifully bound copies of Computer Weekly and many associated images are a fascinating resource in our developing archive and we are very grateful to Computer Weekly for its contribution.

"I am sure these records of the IT industry will help stimulate research and interest in our computing heritage which has come so far so quickly."

The early issues of Computer Weekly reflect a different world, as computing was beginning to find its feet in business. One job advert in the first issue asks for "23 to 28-year-old male programmers" and offered an annual salary of £735.

"Our back catalogue documents how technology moved from a fledgling, specialised sector to the powerhouse of economic growth it is today - it is a unique record of the development of the most exciting and fast-changing market in the world," said Computer Weekly editor in chief Bryan Glick.

"We are delighted to donate more than 40 years of Computer Weekly to the National Museum of Computing to add to its collection of the history of an industry in which UK businesses and IT professionals have played such a significant global role."

Last week, the museum received its largest ever cash donation, as Bletchley Park Capital Partners (BPCP) and associates provided £100,000 to help secure the museum's future and enable its further development.

Officially opened in 2008, the National Museum now ranks among the top three dedicated computer museums in the world. Visitors can see and sometimes even use rare or unique working exhibits spanning seven decades of computing development.