The PDP-6 Computer Delivered to UWA in May 1965

The PDP-6 computer, manufactured by Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) in Boston, USA, was acquired by The University of Western Australia (UWA) in May 1965. It was a groundbreaking machine, being the first "time-shared" computer delivered globally, allowing multiple users to remotely control tasks via terminals over data communication or phone lines at speeds of 110 or 300 bits/second. This capability led to its widespread use across UWA departments, other educational institutions, and government bodies, particularly for engineering applications. Technical specifications included 32,768 36-bit core memory words, with a cycle time of 2 microseconds and addition/subtraction operations completing in 4 microseconds. The PDP-6 at UWA was eventually superseded by the compatible but faster PDP-10 (KA10 and later KL10) models. The document also includes images of the computer in its manufacturing plant, after delivery to UWA, and a component preserved in a museum.