A Personal History of Simulation

Simulation has come a long way since the author started at Sperry Gyroscope Co. at its site at Bracknell, Berkshire, England in 1964. Then the main activity was military simulation using valve analog simulators. Following a move to a lectureship at Manchester University in 1966, a progression from analog to digital simulation via hybrid analog and digital systems (the latter being the topic of the authors’ PhD thesis), was followed by an incursion to digital signal processing and the design of several digital computers and back to simulation. The paper follows the authors frequent involvement in both simulation and the activities of the UK Society, the European Societies, the formation of Eurosim and with the American and European branches of the Society of Computer Simulation. The paper also traces the authors’ involvement in various developments in technology, software and applications of simulation, and in particular with increasing international involvement with simulation conference management. These activities have brought with them a great deal of friendship, happiness, foreign travel and satisfaction. May this continue for years to come.