About the Computer Conservation Society - see www.bcs.org/sg/ccs

The Society was formed in 1989 as an initiative between the British Computer Society and the Science Museum of London. It was a time when the computer industry had existed for about half a century, and when many people had spent a professional lifetime in the industry. The industry had matured, but was still poised for ever greater technological and social changes as it had been from its beginnings in the 1940s. It was time to take stock and reflect on the extraordinary developments to date, and in particular, to be concerned that many of the pioneering people and hardware and software were fast disappearing.

At the same time, many computer professionals were finding themselves retired or otherwise at the end of direct involvement in the industry, yet with energy to spare and interest in their earlier systems. Some had approached the Science Museum, for example, asking whether their abilities and interests could be harnessed to helping to preserve old systems. This coincided with a perception by the Museum that it had artefacts, but limited expertise to do other than prevent deterioration - in particular it was not able to present their technological and historical significance.

Thus the Society came into existence as a way of structuring and channelling these complementary interests. As a Specialist Group of the British Computer Society, it benefits from the infrastructure services available in the BCS, as well as from the status accorded by the Royal Charter. The association with the Science Museum provides access to the Museum's inventoried artefacts, as well as the generous provision of facilities for meetings, lectures and seminars.

Membership of the CCS is open to anyone who is interested in the history of computing, whether or not they are a member of BCS. There is no qualification required other than an expression of that interest! As mentioned, the Society benefits from facilities provided by the umbrella organisations, and in addition, certain funds are made available by a grant from the BCS and by subscriptions paid by a number of Corporate Members who are part of the computer industry. Younger people are especially encouraged to take part in order to achieve skills transfer.