LEO editor

  • Interviewee: Peter Bird                                              DOB: 1934

Interviewer: Tony Morgan                                                Died: September 2017

Date of Interview: 6th September 2016

Joined Lyons: 1964

Abstract:  After a career in the Merchant Navy achieving his Masters certificate ‘discovered’ computing, studied programming and applied for Jobs in computing.  Interviewed by Lyons for an operator job and joined Lyons 1964 as an operator on the LEO III.  Promoted rapidly to Operations Manager, then overall Systems Manager.  After retirement became interested in the history of Lyons and in the LEO story resulting in the publication of his books on LEO and subsequently on Lyons the Food Empire.

Repository:  http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/53381/Peter-Bird-Interview/

Recording:

Copyright:  LEO Computers Society

Restrictions: None known

Interviewee: Peter Bird  Read More »

  • Interviewee: Peter Wharton                                                    DOB: 1941

Interviewer: John Daines

Date of Interview: November 2nd 2016

Joined LEO: 1962

Abstract: Joined as a mathematical working on linear programming transportation applications.  Long career with LEO and its successor companies working at various locations including Hartree House and subsequently Kidsgrove.  His work involved hardware and software design as well as applications and he finished with the title of Chief Engineer.  Appointed visiting Professor at Southampton University.  Regarded his early learning of CLEO as a key step in his understanding of design in his later career.

Repository: http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/53382/Peter-Wharton-Interview-2nd-November-2016-53382/

Copyright:  LEO Computers SocietyRestrictions: None known

Interviewee: Peter Wharton  Read More »

  • Interviewee: Paul Dixon                                                                                          DOB: September 29th 1928

Interviewer: Mike Storey

Date of Interview: 4th April 2016, Transcribed 2nd February 2017

Joined LEO 1955

Role in LEO: Programmer, Consultant

Abstract: Paul Dixon, a refugee from Czechoslovakia (Prague) in 1947, graduated from Manchester University with an honours degree in Economics and Politics. Intrigued by an advertisement for programmers, applied, was interviewed by Peter Hermon and joined LEO Computers as a programmer. Although only with LEO for two years had a rapid rise ranging over a range of applications. Joined Roger Coleman at LEO II customer Ilford’s.  Emigrated to Canada and later the USA for a career in computing, including very senior, and prominent positions with major companies.

Repository: http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/53383/Paul-Dixon-Interview/

Copyright:  LEO Computers Society

Interviewee: Paul Dixon  Read More »

  • Interviewee: Michael Mills                                                                                     DOB: 1935

Interviewer: David Phillips

Date of Interview: 7th February 2017

Joined LEO: 1958

Role in LEO: Maintenance Engineer LEO II

Abstract:  A lively, chatty interview full of personal anecdotes relating to his life and work experiences.  Concentrated on Maths at School and awarded scholarship to Cambridge.  But opted to do National Service in Royal Signals, for two years, rising to rank of Lance Corporal.  Opted for a degree in Physics at University of Birmingham, graduating with II/1. Saw LEO advert for engineers, taken on at Minerva Road and after training school became maintenance engineer on a range of LEO/IIs.  Spent 3 years with LEO, then joined Honeywell as manager of software development.  Subsequent career with Rank Xerox in marketing, as consultant with CACI, then working with James Martin and after a spell in Australia (1997), set up as independent consultant before retirement. 

Transcribed: February 2017

Edited March 2017

Repository:  http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/53384/Michael-Mills-Interview/

Copyright:  LEO Computers Society

Restrictions: None known

Interviewee: Michael Mills   Read More »

Interviewee: Patrick Blakes I

nterviewer: Cyril Platman

Date of Interview: 27th July 2016

Joined LEO: 1958

Role in LEO: Commissioning and Maintenance Engineer LEO I and LEO III

Abstract: Received background training in Electronics doing his National Service in the Royal Air Force. Decided on career in that field after seeing an advert for trainee engineers from LEO. After  training worked first as commissioning engineer on LEO II/7 than became site maintenance enginner on LEO II and LEO III sites including acting as chief engineer on Ilford’s LEO III.. Retired from ICL in 1969 to join an independent computer maintenance company working on LEO machines.

Repository: http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/53385/Patrick-Blakes-Interview-27th-July-2016-73385/

Copyright: LEO Computers Society

Restrictions: None known

Interviewee: Patrick Blakes  Read More »

  • Interviewee: Ian White                                                                             DOB: 19th November 1930

Interviewer: Mike Hally

Date of Interview: 6th December 2016

Transcribed: 27th December 2016

Editor: Bob Marsh received copy for editing 5th January 2017

Joined LEO: Summer 1955

Role in LEO: Design Engineer on LEO II

Abstract: Studies Natural Sciences at St Andrews, specially interested in Electronics.  Commissioned in REME and posted to teach at Shrivenham,  On discharge interviewed by Pinkerton and joined LEO engineering team in Olaf Street.  Left LEO for a career in electronic control devices, but retained an interest in LEO.  Joined LEO Computers Society and started collecting LEO memorabilia

Repository: http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/53386/Ian-White-Interview-6-December-2016-53386/

Copyright: LEO Computers Society

Restrictions: None known

Interviewee: Ian White Read More »

  • Interviewee: Tony Earnshaw                                                   DOB: 8th November 1935

Interviewer: David Phillips

Joined LEO: Not clear.  Worked on LEO III/6 Shell-Mex and BP in 1965 as part of site engineering team

Role in LEO: Maintenance Engineer

Date of Interview: 16th February 2017

Transcribed: 19th February 2017

Editor: David Phillips is undertaking a first edit of the transcript of a very confusing and chronologically muddled interview.  Tony Earnshaw will be asked to re-edit the revised script.

Abstract: Worked as untrained TV repair man in 1950s, Spotted by passing LEO engineer, invited to apply to LEO.  Started work as assistant to site engineers on the Shell-Mex and BP LEO III in Hemel Hampstead.  Prides himself on his successful career as an engineer without having acquired any qualifications. Rose to be chief site engineer at Minerva Road responsible for seven sites.  Left ICL to become independent engineer,

Transcript: 

Link: http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/53387/Tony-Earnshaw-Interview/

Copyright: LEO Computers Society

Restrictions: None known

Interviewee: Tony Earnshaw   Read More »

  • Interviewee: Peter Hermon                                                                    DOB: November 1928

Interviewer: Neville Lyons

Joined LEO: September 1955

Role in LEO: Programmer, Consultant

Date of Interview:  15th June 2017                                                

Transcribed: 28th June 2017

Editor: Bob Marsh. Edited version to Dropbox 7th July 2017

Abstract:  Peter Hermon joined LEO after he obtained first class honours from St. John’s Oxford, and seeing an advertisement for a mathematician from J. Lyons. He was one of the most brilliant LEO recruits and quickly made his mark as a programmer and consultant.  He was involved in a number of LEO sales, working first with Wills Tobacco and later with Dunlop Rubber.  He joined Dunlop to first run their LEO installation, but subsequently rose to head Dunlop Management Services world-wide.  He moved to BOAC where he was responsible for the development of BOADICEA the airline reservation system which became a major UK success story and later became a Director of British Airways.  After retirement in 1989 he became an active member of the LEO Foundation, acting as its treasurer.   Peter’s other interests were walking in North Wales and he has published a number of guides for walking in Wales.

Repository:http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/53388/Peter-Hermon-Interview-15th-June-2017-53388/

Copyright:  LEO Computers Society

Restrictions: None known

Interviewee: Peter Hermon  Read More »

Interviewee: Peter Byford                                                               DOB: 1944

Editor: Frank Land, May 2018

Abstract: Peter had a long career in computing starting when he left Grammar School aged just 17 and following an advertisement applied to LEO Computers Limited.  Passing the aptitude test as the sole non-graduate applicant at that time, he was trained as a programmer to work on the LEOIII/1 Hartree Service Bureau.  He worked on a number of applications, rising in seniority, but left LEO in 1965 to join the AA as a programmer and data analyst.  His subsequent career, primarily in Data Management included a 27 year stint at Eastern Gas, followed by the software contractor and consultant John Hoskins, and later as an independent contractor/consultant.  Despite his relatively short stint at LEO at the beginning of his career, it is to his LEO roots he returned on retirement.  After attending an early LEO reunion he took over the chair of the LEO Computers Society, and oversaw its growth to over 800 members (May 2018), and continues to fill that role with undiminished enthusiasm.

Repository:http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/53389/Peter-Byford-Interview-22nd-August-2017-53389/

Copyright:  LEO Computers Society

Restrictions: None known

Interviewee: Peter Byford  Read More »

Interviewee: Geoff Pye                                                                     DOB: 1932

Interviewer: Paul Bygrave

Date of Interview: 3rd August, 2017

Editor: Frank Land

Joined LEO: 1956

Abstract  Geoff Pye was brought up in near Ilford, East London, took a degree in Geography at Kings College, University of London, and after 2 years National Service, looked  to start a career as a Management Trainee.  Applying to Lyons amongst other companies he was diverted to the fledgling LEO organisation,  Interviewed by Ted Rowley and David Caminer he was impressed took the aptitude test and was offered a job as a programming trainee under the tutelage of Leo Fantl.  After a period rising in the programming/system ranks, including secondment to the MPNI LEO II/6 in Newcastle changed tack to running computer operations taking charge of first of the London LEO service bureaux and subsequently the EELM and ICL bureau operations.  Following a brief interlude working for consultants John Hoskyns returned to ICL as a[1] senior manager for BARIC the joint service bureau company set up by ICL and Barclays Bank. As batch services were sold off to be replaced by INS – the ICL network services company Geoff took up the reigns.  More senior jobs in operations followed before retirement age 60.

Repository:http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/56449/Geoff-Pye-Interview-3-August-2017-56449/

Copyright: LEO Computers Society

Restrictions: None known

 

Interviewee: Geoff Pye    Read More »