Silliac was built at Sydney University and was based on Illiac of Illinois University. It was built in response to evidence from CSIRO (where researchers were using CSIRAC) and because overseas computers were always worked to capacity. Sydney University decided to build a computer facility and Prof. Harry Messel, then Head of the School of Physics, raised the necessary money from public donation, the bulk coming from Adolf Basser. The computing laboratory which bore his name was the first in Australia used for teaching.

Used for educational and medical research in the University of Sydney Basser Dept. of Computer Science.

Computer hardware, unidentified component of the Silliac computer, 'Silliac', metal/glass/plastic, The University of Sydney, Australia, [1960]
Exterior metal frame encloses four levels or modules which contain electronic components and cables. The component forms part of the Silliac computer.

Designed: Basser Department of Computer Science, University of Sydney; Sydney; 1960

Designed: The University of Sydney; Sydney; 1960


Used: Basser Department of Computer Science, University of Sydney; Sydney

Used: The University of Sydney; Sydney

96/263/1

1960

475 mm

335 mm

463 mm