World's first systems analyst dies

David Caminer, a pioneer of commercial computing, has died at the age of 93.

Caminer is widely credited as being the original computer systems analyst after his work on the world's first business computer, which was built by J. Lyons and Co.

The scientist was head of systems management at the catering firm when it decided to build a computer, the Lyons Electronic Office (Leo), in 1951.

Caminer wrote the programs that ran on the system, which was eventually sold around the world to companies such as Ford, Imperial Tobacco and the Soviet Union.

He designed the first flow charts to show how software should be written, and the punch card system was soon running a variety of applications.

The computer was used initially to automate stock control and payroll functions and was instantly successful.

The 500KHz machine cut the average time to calculate a worker's salary from eight minutes to 1.5 seconds and enabled the company to analyse sales in order to maximise profitability.

Eventually Lyons split its computer division into a new company under Caminer's leadership called Leo Computers Ltd, which became ICL in 1968.

Born David Tresman in 1915 Caminer took his stepfather's name and joined Lyons in 1936 after failing his entrance examinations to Cambridge.

An ardent anti-fascist who marched against Oswald Mosley, Caminer joined the army during the Second World War and lost a leg at the Battle of Mareth in Tunisia before rejoining Lyons on his return home.

See also:

PC population reaches one billion

Two billion by 2014, says Gartner  24 Jun 2008

Experts warn of 'industrialisation' of IT

25 per cent of IT spending is on unnecessary and redundant customisation  09 Apr 2008

Boffins to build nano-difference engine

Who needs silicon when you have 200 year-old technology?  25 Jul 2007

HAL hailed as Intel inspiration

Kubrick's celluloid masterpiece behind Intel's success  16 Nov 2001

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