Maurice Wilkes

Computer Science British 1913 – 2010 369 quotes

Developed the EDSAC, the first practical stored-program electronic computer.

Quotes by Maurice Wilkes

The computer is a testament to human ingenuity, and human stubbornness.

Attributed

I've always been a pragmatist. I believe in getting things done.

Interview

The early days of computing were a bit like a grand experiment, and we were the mad scientists.

Interview

The computer is a blank canvas, waiting for us to paint our ideas upon it.

Attributed

The most important thing is to have a clear vision of what you want to achieve.

Attributed

We didn't know what we couldn't do, so we just went ahead and did it.

Interview

The computer is a tool for amplifying human intelligence, not replacing it.

Attributed

I've always been a firm believer in the power of collaboration.

Interview

The early computers were a bit like temperamental children – they needed a lot of attention.

Interview

The computer is a reflection of our own desires and aspirations.

Attributed

The most important thing is to never stop learning, never stop exploring.

Attributed

We were pioneers, and pioneers often get a little dusty.

Interview

The computer is a tool for understanding the world, and for changing it.

Attributed

The early days of computing were a time of great intellectual ferment, where the very foundations of logic and computation were being laid. It was a privilege to be part of that.

Reflections on the Early Days of Computing

We were not just building machines; we were building a new way of thinking, a new way of understanding the world.

Interview on the EDSAC

The beauty of a well-designed algorithm lies in its elegance and efficiency, a testament to the human mind's ability to create order from complexity.

Lectures on Programming

The pursuit of knowledge, even in the most abstract domains, is a deeply human endeavor, driven by an insatiable curiosity about the universe and our place within it.

Essays on Scientific Discovery

In the beginning, there was no software, only the raw potential of the hardware. It was up to us to breathe life into those circuits.

Memoirs of a Computer Pioneer

The act of programming is a creative one, akin to composing music or writing poetry, where logic and imagination intertwine.

The Art of Programming

Every bug is a lesson, a reminder of the inherent fallibility of human thought and the relentless pursuit of perfection.

Debugging Principles