John Harper (computer engineer)

John Harper (born 11 November 1937) is a retired computer engineer. He led a Computer Conservation Society/Bletchley Park team that rebuilt a working World War II electromechanical Bombe decryption device.

Life and career

Born in West Ealing, London he spent most of his career working for International Computers Limited working on machines such as the ICT 1500 and the ICL 1900 and 2900. By completing evening study he qualified for membership of the British Computer Society (BCS) and Institution of Electronic and Radio Engineers (IERE) including becoming a Chartered Engineer.[1]

He was a member of the Turing Centenary Advisory Committee[2] set up to organise events for the Alan Turing year, a centenary celebration of the life and work of Alan Turing in 2012.

Bombe Rebuild Project
The rebuilt Bombe on display at Bletchley Park

John Harper, from 1995 to 2006, led a Computer Conservation Society team rebuilding a working World War II Bombe decryption device. On 6 September 2006, John Harper and the rebuild team first demonstrated the working Bombe in action.[3]

On 24 March 2009 at Bletchley Park, John Harper was presented[4] with the 49th Engineering Heritage Award by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers awarded to the BCS Computer Conversation Society for the conservation and restoration of the Bombe.[5]

Awards
  • Honorary Fellow, British Computer Society (2007)[6]
  • Honorary Doctor of the University, Open University (2011)[7]

References
  1. "John Harper, Leader of the Bombe Rebuild Team receives Honorary Fellowship of BCS" Bletchley Park News. Retrieved 16 June 2011.
  2. "The Alan Turing Year" Archived 17 February 2019 at the Wayback Machine Turing Centenary Advisory Committee (TCAC). Retrieved 16 June 2011.
  3. "Enigma replica 'homage to heroes'" BBC News. Retrieved 1 February 2012.
  4. "BCS bombe team receives award" BCS News Archive. Retrieved 16 June 2011.
  5. "Engineering award for legendary Enigma-busting kit" The Register news article. Retrieved 16 June 2011.
  6. "Roll of Honorary Fellows" BCS Roll of Honorary Fellows 1969-2009. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
  7. "Honorary Awards 2011" Archived 14 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine Conferment of Honorary Degrees and Presentation of Graduates 2011. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
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