History

The Red Room in the Math and Computer building is where UW's main computers have been located since 1967. In 1967 it was the home of the IBM 360 Model 75, the largest computer in Canada at the time. "It was an icon of the sixties, that brash time when tie-dyed shirts and mini-skirts were in," says Bruce Uttley, noting the Red Room was designed as a "cathedral to the computer". The room was built with large windows along the upper perimeter to allow visitors to view the facilities from above. This was perhaps much more significant at the time, due to the ‘newness’ of computing in general. Over time part of the novelty may have worn off but the red room itself is still close to the heart of many long time (and short time) employees. Please click on the Stories link to read about some of the interesting happenings that have occurred in the red room.

The Red Room in the Math and Computer building is now officially closed. Renovations are underway. Servers and storage devices are now located in various areas of the building, and many new students will eventually enjoy new classrooms and a new amphitheatre in the Math and Computer building.