Interviewee: Alan Hooker DOB: 23rd May 1934
Interviewer: Paul Bygrave
Date of Interview: 21st November 2018
Editors: David Phillips (P1) and Mike Jackson (P2)
Joined LEO: May/June 1958
Role in LEO: Programmer on LEO I, LEO II and LEO III rising to Programming Manager.
Left LEO: 1965
Abstract: After failing to take a Physics degree at Bristol University followed by National Service in Royal Engineers as commissioned officer, a chance meeting with a fellow Bristol student Brian Mills who had been recruited by Lyons for LEO, took the LEO aptitude test and after interview by David Caminer joined LEO as a maintenance programmer on LEO I. Worked in Betty Cooper’s team whom he describes as one of the best managers he ever worked for. Converted LEO I programmes to run on LEO II, then involved in programming a number of service bureau applications and the Standard Motor LEO II/8. Involved at a more senior level with the LEO III to demonstration to prove to the Post Office LEO IIIs multiprogramming capability. Became Programming Manager leading team of 25 charged with producing standard business routines. Left LEO after merger with English Electric, Moved to DataSolve as Technical Director. Returned to ICL after grand merger as Project Manager at Data Skill.
Repository :
http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/68654/Alan-Hooker-Interview-21st-November-2018-68654/
Copyright: Leo Computers Society.
Restrictions: None known