Beckman EASE analog computer
UvA Computer Museum catalogue nr 06.08
The picture, taken from the user's manual, shows a larger system than we have in our collection. The system shown had 50 operational amplifiers, equipped with electron tubes and working with signal levels between -100 and +100 Volts. Completed with a fair number of coefficient potentiometers, electronic multipliers and function generators, the full machine consumed about 5 kW of electricity.
We have a smaller, 3-rack system. After a first touchup, a major conservation operation is due, if only because most of the internal cabling is showing signs of severe decay (in particular the cable sleeves have deteriorated, see "troubles in computer conservation"). This kind of trouble has to be dealt with before it even can be considered to bring the machine back into a serviceable condition.
The lower picture shows two of its cabinets connected to a Tektronix 555 oscilloscope with attached camera, at the Genesis exhibition, Utrecht 2007. One panel is replaced by a perspex window, to make some of the machine's many electron-tubes visible.
Our machine was uncovered by Mr. Jan Janse, Physiology Lab of the University of Leyden, just in time to prevent it from being scrapped. Fortunately, the manuals of the computer have also survived.
