# John Harper (computer engineer)

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**John Harper** (born 11 November 1937) is a retired [computer engineer](/source/Computer_engineering). He led a [Computer Conservation Society](/source/Computer_Conservation_Society)/[Bletchley Park](/source/Bletchley_Park) team that rebuilt a working [World War II](/source/World_War_II) electromechanical [Bombe](/source/Bombe) decryption device.

## Life and career

Born in [West Ealing](/source/West_Ealing), London he spent most of his career working for [International Computers Limited](/source/International_Computers_Limited) working on machines such as the ICT 1500 and the [ICL 1900](/source/ICT_1900) and 2900. By completing evening study he qualified for membership of the [British Computer Society](/source/British_Computer_Society) (BCS) and Institution of Electronic and Radio Engineers (IERE) including becoming a [Chartered Engineer](/source/Chartered_Engineer_(UK)).[1]

He was a member of the Turing Centenary Advisory Committee[2] set up to organise events for the Alan Turing year, a centenary celebration of the life and work of [Alan Turing](/source/Alan_Turing) in 2012.

## Bombe Rebuild Project

The rebuilt Bombe on display at Bletchley Park

John Harper, from 1995 to 2006, led a Computer Conservation Society team rebuilding a working World War II [Bombe](/source/Bombe) decryption device. On 6 September 2006, John Harper and the rebuild team first demonstrated the working Bombe in action.[3]

On 24 March 2009 at Bletchley Park, John Harper was presented[4] with the 49th [Engineering Heritage Award](/source/Engineering_Heritage_Awards) by the [Institution of Mechanical Engineers](/source/Institution_of_Mechanical_Engineers) awarded to the BCS Computer Conversation Society for the conservation and restoration of the Bombe.[5]

## Awards

- Honorary Fellow, British Computer Society (2007)[6]

- Honorary Doctor of the University, Open University (2011)[7]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Eulogy_1-0)** ["John Harper, Leader of the Bombe Rebuild Team receives Honorary Fellowship of BCS"](http://www.bletchleypark.org.uk/news/docview.rhtm/480036) Bletchley Park News. Retrieved 16 June 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["The Alan Turing Year"](http://www.mathcomp.leeds.ac.uk/turing2012/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190217215512/http://www.mathcomp.leeds.ac.uk/turing2012/) 17 February 2019 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) Turing Centenary Advisory Committee (TCAC). Retrieved 16 June 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Enigma replica 'homage to heroes'"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/5320978.stm) BBC News. Retrieved 1 February 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["BCS bombe team receives award"](http://www.bcs.org/content/conWebDoc/25242) BCS News Archive. Retrieved 16 June 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Engineering award for legendary Enigma-busting kit"](https://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/03/23/bletchley_bombe/) The Register news article. Retrieved 16 June 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Roll of Honorary Fellows"](http://www.bcs.org/content/conWebDoc/1648) BCS Roll of Honorary Fellows 1969-2009. Retrieved 7 June 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Honorary Awards 2011"](http://www8.open.ac.uk/students/ceremonies/files/ceremonies/Graduate-Directory-2011-Final-WEB.pdf) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20120314032449/http://www8.open.ac.uk/students/ceremonies/files/ceremonies/Graduate-Directory-2011-Final-WEB.pdf) 14 March 2012 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) Conferment of Honorary Degrees and Presentation of Graduates 2011. Retrieved 7 June 2011.

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