David Caminer
Encyclopedia
David Caminer, OBE
(June 26, 1915 – June 19, 2008) has been called the world's "first corporate electronic systems analyst." He carried out the systems analysis and charting for the world's first routine business computer job.
of London
, his father was killed in action during the First World War. When his mother remarried, he was given his stepfather's surname Caminer.
In March 1943 Caminer lost a leg at the Battle of Mareth
, whilst serving with the Green Howards in Tunisia
.
Caminer worked generally in the area of operations management
and cost accounting
. He helped to design, along with John Pinkerton
, the LEO (Lyons Electronic Office)
, which has been certified by the Guinness World Records
as the world's first business computer.
Caminer joined Lyons & Co.
as a management trainee in 1936 and became Manager of the Lyons Systems Research Office before concentrating on the computer innovation. He became Director of LEO Computers Ltd in 1959 and was subsequently General Sales Manager of English Electric LEO Marconi, while retaining his responsibility for consultancy and systems implementation. After the merger to form ICL, his posts included the delineation of the systems software requirements for the New Range
and Director of New Range Market Introduction.
He chose to complete his formal career in the field as Project Director for the implementation of the computer and communications network for the European Economic Community
, where he developed a computer system for the European Common Market. For this work he was appointed to the Order of the British Empire
in 1980.
As Caminer himself pointed out, the LEO story highlights important characteristics of the history of innovation in computing technology, including the complex roles of government funding and university research; the frequent failure of technically advanced products to enjoy commercial success; the importance for commercial success in business computing of firm-level capabilities in related technologies; and the interaction between organizational and technological change in the adoption of business computing systems.
He died in June 2008, at age 92.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(June 26, 1915 – June 19, 2008) has been called the world's "first corporate electronic systems analyst." He carried out the systems analysis and charting for the world's first routine business computer job.
Life and work
Born David Treisman in the East EndEast End of London
The East End of London, also known simply as the East End, is the area of London, England, United Kingdom, east of the medieval walled City of London and north of the River Thames. Although not defined by universally accepted formal boundaries, the River Lea can be considered another boundary...
of London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, his father was killed in action during the First World War. When his mother remarried, he was given his stepfather's surname Caminer.
In March 1943 Caminer lost a leg at the Battle of Mareth
Mareth Line
The Mareth Line was a system of fortifications built by the French between the towns of Medenine and Gabès in southern Tunisia, prior to World War II...
, whilst serving with the Green Howards in Tunisia
Tunisia
Tunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...
.
Caminer worked generally in the area of operations management
Operations management
Operations management is an area of management concerned with overseeing, designing, and redesigning business operations in the production of goods and/or services. It involves the responsibility of ensuring that business operations are efficient in terms of using as little resources as needed, and...
and cost accounting
Cost accounting
Cost accounting information is designed for managers. Since managers are taking decisions only for their own organization, there is no need for the information to be comparable to similar information from other organizations...
. He helped to design, along with John Pinkerton
John Pinkerton (computer designer)
John Maurice McClean Pinkerton was a pioneering British computer designer. Along with David Caminer, he designed England's first business computer, the LEO computer, produced by J. Lyons and Co in 1951.,-Personal life:...
, the LEO (Lyons Electronic Office)
LEO computer
The LEO I was the first computer used for commercial business applications. Overseen by Oliver Standingford and Raymond Thompson of J. Lyons and Co., and modelled closely on the Cambridge EDSAC, LEO I ran its first business application in 1951...
, which has been certified by the Guinness World Records
Guinness World Records
Guinness World Records, known until 2000 as The Guinness Book of Records , is a reference book published annually, containing a collection of world records, both human achievements and the extremes of the natural world...
as the world's first business computer.
Caminer joined Lyons & Co.
J. Lyons and Co.
J. Lyons & Co. was a market-dominant British restaurant-chain, food-manufacturing, and hotel conglomerate founded in 1887 as a spin-off from the Salmon & Gluckstein tobacco company....
as a management trainee in 1936 and became Manager of the Lyons Systems Research Office before concentrating on the computer innovation. He became Director of LEO Computers Ltd in 1959 and was subsequently General Sales Manager of English Electric LEO Marconi, while retaining his responsibility for consultancy and systems implementation. After the merger to form ICL, his posts included the delineation of the systems software requirements for the New Range
ICL 2900 Series
The ICL 2900 Series was a range of mainframe computer systems announced by the UK manufacturer ICL on 9 October 1974. The company had started development, under the name "New Range" immediately on its formation in 1968...
and Director of New Range Market Introduction.
He chose to complete his formal career in the field as Project Director for the implementation of the computer and communications network for the European Economic Community
European Economic Community
The European Economic Community The European Economic Community (EEC) The European Economic Community (EEC) (also known as the Common Market in the English-speaking world, renamed the European Community (EC) in 1993The information in this article primarily covers the EEC's time as an independent...
, where he developed a computer system for the European Common Market. For this work he was appointed to the Order of the British Empire
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
in 1980.
As Caminer himself pointed out, the LEO story highlights important characteristics of the history of innovation in computing technology, including the complex roles of government funding and university research; the frequent failure of technically advanced products to enjoy commercial success; the importance for commercial success in business computing of firm-level capabilities in related technologies; and the interaction between organizational and technological change in the adoption of business computing systems.
He died in June 2008, at age 92.