Only one 401 computer was ever built. It was an experimental and prototype machine built by Elliotts
with considerable support from the National Research Development Corporation (NRDC) who
provided much of the funding, and some ideas for the initial design, which was completed by the
summer of 1952. The machine was operational by March 1953, and it was almost immediately
displayed at the Physical Society's annual exhibition at Imperial College, London, in April, where it
performed very well.
NRDC was delighted with the success of the exhibited 401, for it signified that the corporation had now
promoted two British computer manufacturing companies in the UK: Ferranti building large computers
and Elliotts to build small and medium sized ones.
401
Description
Year First Manufactured
1953
