Bletchley Park backed by Google - some more & pictures...

05 Aug 2011

Google backs Bletchley Park restoration project
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Historians and figures from the technology industry gathered at Bletchley 
Park, the wartime codebreaking and pioneering computing centre, to 
celebrate the exhibition of Alan Turing's papers.

By Ian Douglas

The rain is pouring onto the roof of the marquee as rapturous applause 
breaks out. Jean Valentine, a computer operator here in the 1940s and now 
a guide for visitors, has come to the microphone to speak.

"Looking around, you can see why we need Google. Some of the huts are 
just dilapidated, there's no other word for it. With their help we'll 
get things restored so people can go into these places and get a sense of 
history. I spent my youth in Hut 11, doing what I could for my country, 
and it badly needs refurbishing", she said.

She had been introduced by Peter Barron, Google's head of communications, 
who had explained why they had put up part of the money to buy Alan 
Turing's papers in February and continued to provide support. "The point 
is that all of us have heroes. At Google our heroes are Alan Turing and 
the people who worked on breaking the codes at Bletchley Park. It was 
probably the most inspiring and uplifting achievement in scientific 
technology over the last hundred years. I don't think it's an exaggeration 
to say that without Alan Turing, Google as we know it wouldn't 
exist"..../snip/

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/google/8683638/Google-backs-Bletchley-Park-restoration-project.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/picture-galleries/8681895/Project-to-restore-derelict-block-at-Bletchley-Park-backed-by-Google.html


Google and the Bletchley Park Trust held a garden party to help with the 
fundraising this week, but there's still a long way to go if Britain's 
place in computer history is to be fully assured. You can donate online 
here :

http://www.bletchleypark.org.uk/content/contact/donation/support.rhtm