From: legg@nospam.magma.ca   
      
   On Thu, 12 Feb 2026 17:36:12 +1100, Bill Sloman    
   wrote:   
      
      
   >My father got an Argus mini-computer from Ferranti to run his continuous   
   >counter-current digestor a bit later. It had enough spare capacity to   
   >run a couple of paper machines as well, where it was lot more valuable -   
   >the programmed transition from one weight of paper to another went a   
   >whole lot faster under computer control.   
   >   
   >Eventually the digestor went back to manual control - the control crew   
   >had learned how to do it right from the computer program, and didn't   
   >need the extra help, and the computer took over a few more paper machine..   
      
   In the early 70's I worked on a paper machine with some components   
   dating back to Edinburgh 1880's.   
      
   The machine tenders had 30yrs+ experience running the thing, as it got   
   longer, taller and faster. Main drive shaft and adjustible belts,   
   pumps and heater stacks.   
      
   Each tender had their own way of doing things, depending on source   
   material, grade/weight, power, time from last shutdown and weather.   
      
   Heavy use of recycled materials from all sources to produce high grade   
   output.   
      
   Never lost money, but stole business from larger concerns, who   
   eventually shut it down.   
      
   RL   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)