{"product_id":"moving-targets-elliott-automation-and-the-dawn-of-the-computer-age-in","title":"Moving Targets: Elliott-Automation and the Dawn of the Computer Age in","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of Moving Targets: Elliott-Automation and the Dawn of the Computer Age in Britain, Simon Lavington offers a focused company history that will appeal to students of computing history and engineering culture. The book's single biggest reason to buy is its close, documentary account of one firm that straddled secret defence work and commercial computing, making it a useful lens on how Britain's computer industry evolved. The narrative combines technical description with institutional context, so readers who want more than a superficial timeline will find valuable detail here.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCompany-focused narrative:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book traces the rise of Elliott-Automation from Borehamwood Research Laboratories and explains how internal teams shaped early computing efforts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCoverage of classified work:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lavington examines early Elliott digital computers developed for military and GCHQ tasks, illuminating a typically obscured strand of computing history.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAnalogue and airborne systems:\u003c\/strong\u003e The text describes Elliott's analogue computers and includes a history of airborne computers, showing the range of engineering work the company undertook.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProfiles of key figures:\u003c\/strong\u003e The roles of John Coales and Leon Bagrit are detailed, helping readers understand the personalities and leadership decisions behind technological choices.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCommercial transition:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book reviews the development of the first commercial Elliott computers and how those machines found use in industrial automation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is best for readers with an interest in the history of computing, defence technology, or British industrial history who want a company-level case study rather than a broad survey. Graduate students, historians, and technically minded general readers will appreciate the combination of organisational detail and descriptions of specific machines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReaders looking for a beginner's primer on general computing concepts or a global history of early computers may prefer a more generalist volume; this book is strongest when read as a focused study of Elliott-Automation and its contexts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProvides detailed company history that clarifies how Elliott-Automation influenced early British computing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIncludes discussion of both classified military projects and later commercial applications, connecting defence research to civilian use.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDocuments key personnel and organisational developments, which helps explain decision-making and technical direction.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe book is tightly focused on one company, so readers wanting a wider comparative history of multiple manufacturers may find the scope limited.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMoving Targets: Elliott-Automation and the Dawn of the Computer Age in Britain\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSimon Lavington\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSubject\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHistory of computing; company history\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCoverage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEarly digital and analogue Elliott computers, airborne systems, commercial machines\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eKey figures discussed\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJohn Coales; Leon Bagrit\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFocus areas\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDefence projects, GCHQ work, industrial automation\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMoving Targets is a well-researched, narrowly focused book that rewards readers who want an in-depth company study of Elliott-Automation and its role in Britain's computing emergence. Its value lies in connecting classified defence programmes to later commercial and industrial applications, making it a strong purchase for historians and technically literate readers seeking substance over broad coverage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes the book cover Elliott analogue computers?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes; the author describes the analogue computers developed by Elliott-Automation alongside their digital efforts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre defence and secret projects discussed?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes; the review notes that the book examines early Elliott digital computers designed for classified military applications and work associated with GCHQ.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this suitable for a general introduction to computing history?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt is more of a specialist company history, so readers seeking a broad introductory textbook may want a more general survey instead.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Simon Lavington","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48240904241371,"sku":"144712636X","price":148.29,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/61vajQVVvpL._SL1242.jpg?v=1770995623","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/moving-targets-elliott-automation-and-the-dawn-of-the-computer-age-in","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}