Prof. H. N. Mahabala addressing the audience, 1973
Administrators , Faculty , Inaugurations
This photograph was taken during the Inauguration of the Computer Centre, which saw the start of a new era in computing at IIT Madras. The IBM 370 was installed at the Institute and it was ready to be put into use.
In a report published in the book ‘Computer Education in India: Past, Present and Future’, Prof. Mahabala, who was the first Professor-in-charge of the Computer Centre of IIT Madras, mentions, “With this, IIT is now among the few institutions in the world to have been equipped with a versatile computer system.” He goes on to share some of the key features of the IBM 370, which included the large disk storage with a capacity of 400 million bytes, which translates to 400 megabytes, a significant number in those days.
IBM made a large mural specifically for the occasion, using a photograph of the IBM 370 taken at the Computer Centre. It was made upon Prof. Mahabala’s request. The mural was placed behind the stage of the Central Lecture Theatre (CLT). In this image, it is visible behind the distinguished guests who are seated at the stage. It was around 25 feet long and approximately 6-8 feet high, providing a clear image of the machine. After the inauguration, the mural was kept in one of the classrooms in the Building Sciences Block (BSB) where M.Tech. classes were held.
Seated on the stage, from left, Prof. A. Ramachandran (Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India), Dr. Erhard Eppler (Minister for Economic Co-operation, Federal Republic of Germany) and Mr. K. T. Chandy (Chairman Board of Governors), Mr. C. Subramaniam (Union Minister for Industrial Development and Science and Technology) and Prof. K. A. V. Pandalai (Director). Addressing the audience is Prof. H. N. Mahabala (Professor-in-charge, Computer Centre).
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