Maurice Wilkes

I have always regarded the EDSAC as a tool, not an end in itself. Its purpose was to help us solve problems.

The most important thing in building a computer is to make it reliable. A machine that doesn't work is worse than no machine at all.

Debugging is an art, not a science. It requires intuition, patience, and a good deal of luck.

The future of computing lies in making machines easier to use, so that ordinary people can benefit from them.

I sometimes feel like a juggler, trying to keep all the balls in the air at once: research, teaching, administration, and family.

The greatest satisfaction comes from seeing your ideas come to fruition, and knowing that they are making a difference.

We are still in the very early days of computing. There is so much more to discover and invent.

The beauty of a well-designed program is like the beauty of a mathematical proof: elegant, concise, and powerful.

Teaching is a two-way street. I learn as much from my students as they learn from me.

The challenge of research is to ask the right questions, even more than to find the right answers.

I have always believed that collaboration is essential for progress. No one person has all the answers.

The computer is a powerful amplifier of human intellect. It allows us to tackle problems that were previously intractable.

Retirement is not an end, but a new beginning. A chance to pursue interests that I never had time for before.

The early days of computing were a wild west, full of excitement and uncertainty. We were making it up as we went along.

I am constantly amazed by how far computing has come, and how much it has changed our world.

The most rewarding aspect of my career has been the opportunity to work with brilliant minds and contribute to a field that I love.

It was a privilege to be present at the birth of the computer age.

The EDSAC was a truly collaborative effort. Without the dedication of many individuals, it would never have been built.

I always tried to foster an environment where people felt free to experiment and make mistakes. That's how innovation happens.

The microprogram concept was born out of a desire for greater flexibility and control in computer design.