IEEE Milestone award: Manchester code, 1948-1949

The IEEE has approved a Milestone award to recognise the importance of Manchester code, which was invented for use in the Manchester Mark I computer. Manchester code became a standard for computer magnetic tapes and floppy disks, and was used in digital communications including the Voyager 1 and 2 spacecraft and early Ethernet networks. It found wide use in domestic remote controllers, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags, and many control network standards.

The event will be held in the Kilburn Building of the University of Manchester, starting at 2pm on Monday 13th April 2026. The bronze Milestone plaque will be presented by Tom Coughlin, Past President of the IEEE and there will be talks on the invention of Manchester code and its impact in digital data storage and communications. The event will be followed by a reception.

In-person attendance is encouraged and is free of charge, however tickets are needed and obtainable via Eventbrite.

The event will be publicly live streamed here: https://www.youtube.com/live/xuHpjWJp_dw (no advance booking required)

Provisional Programme (all times BST):

Registration

13:00 – 13:55 in the ground floor lobby of the Kilburn Building, enter from the North (city centre) side.

Welcome and Introduction

14:00 Tom Thomson, University of Manchester, local meeting chair

14:10 Duncan Ivison, President and Vice Chancellor, The University of Manchester or Nalin Thakkar, Vice President, The University of Manchester – welcome to the University, thanks for the Milestone award etc.

The IEEE Milestone Program

14:20 Tom Coughlin, 2024 President, IEEE, The IEEE Milestone Program : a description of the program with highlights.

Unveiling of the Plaque

14:40 Tom Coughlin,2024 President IEEE will present the Milestone plaque to Duncan Ivison (President and Vice Chancellor, The University of Manchester, or Nalin Thakkar, Vice President, The University of Manchester

Technical Seminar

14:50 Jim Miles: The Invention of Manchester Code

15:15 Kees Schouhamer Immink: The Impact of Manchester Code in Data Storage

15:40 Peter R. Green: The Impact of Manchester code in Digital Communications

Closing Remarks

16:05 TBA: Representative of the UK and Republic of Ireland Section, IEEE

16:10 Closing remarks and vote of thanks by Tom Thomson, Meeting Chair

Reception

16:15 - 17:30 1st floor lobby, Kilburn Building

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