From Calculating Machines to Computers

This year marks 70 years since Sweden’s second computer, SMIL, was inaugurated. Hear about the history of computers and the rise of Sweden’s IT industry. The talk concludes with a screening of “AI – An Immersive Journey into the Future.”

In 1956, Sweden’s second computer, SMIL (Siffermaskinen i Lund), was inaugurated. The computer was located at the Department of Physics in Lund and is now part of the collections of Malmö Museum. Malmö Museum is marking SMIL’s 70th anniversary with a talk about the history of computers and how SMIL, together with other Swedish-built electronic computers, laid the foundations for Sweden’s IT industry.

The speaker is Lars Wendestam, who has worked in the IT industry for over 40 years and written books about Swedish IT history. He was also one of the organisers of SMIL’s 50th anniversary celebrations.

After the talk, the 3D film “AI – An Immersive Journey into the Future” will be shown. The film takes us through the development of artificial intelligence, from early algorithms to today’s neural networks, and explains the fundamentals of machine learning.

The talk takes place at Wisdome Malmö, at the Museum of Technology and Maritime History. Please note that, in addition to the admission fee, you need to purchase a ticket for the talk via Billetto.