Brian Jeffrey getting ready to power up the machine from the main power panel. Note the Creed teleprinter on the console at the left of the picture. Circa 1958.
<p>Brian Jeffrey getting ready to power up the machine from the main power panel. Note the Creed teleprinter on the console at the left of the picture. Circa 1958.</p>
Detail map of Old Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Overview map of Old Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

A: Old Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

The First Electronic Computer in Canada, the FERUT, is a Ferranti Mark I

9/8/1952 to 9/10/1952
Ferut’s console and power control panel as installed at the U of T. Circa 1953.

FERUT’s console and power control panel as installed at the University of Toronto, circa 1953.

On September 8, 1952 the ACM held a special meeting in Toronto in honor of the installation of the first electronic digital computer in Canada, installed at the University of Toronto. It was a Ferranti Mark I, known as the FERUT computer. Ferut was the second of two Ferranti Mark 1 computers built. It was originally destined for the Atomic Energy Research Establishment in Britain, but before the computer could be delivered there was a change of government that resulted in the cancellation of any contracts over £100,000. Thus the computer became available to the University of Toronto at a greatly reduced price.

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