A bid to save Britain’s computing heritage has been given a $100,000 (£50,000) boost by a joint donation from hi-tech firms IBM and PGP.

The donation will help curate and restore exhibits at the National Museum of Computing in Bletchley Park, Bucks.

The two firms said they hoped the money would kick-start further donations from the technology industry to make up an estimated £7m needed to run the museum.

Exhibits include Colossus, thought by many to be the world’s first computer.

Andrew Hart, head of privacy and security services for IBM in the UK and Ireland, told the BBC that the technology held at Bletchley was a crucial part of the UK’s national heritage.

“CNET reports that PGP, together with IBM and other technology firms, is mounting a fundraising effort to benefit the ailing Bletchley Park, home of the Station X codebreaking efforts in World War II. ‘We’re calling attention (to the fact that) Bletchley is falling into disrepair, and that, probably, the world owes a debt of gratitude to that place,’ said Phil Dunkelberger, chief executive of PGP.”

In Technology

UK computer scientists sign a letter criticising the ongoing neglect of Bletchley Park - home of the wartime codebreakers.

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