The origins of the Raspberry Pi
Speaker
Pete Lomas
Agenda
18:00 - Introductions
18:15 - Talk
19:00 - Q/A discussions, networking
19:30 - Thanks and close
Synopsis
Ever wondered how and why the Raspberry Pi computer was created. This talk will provide the ‘inside track’ on origins, motivations, design agony, manufacturing challenges and how an off-chance conversation propelled us to Space.
About the speaker
Pete Lomas holds a B.Sc. and M.Sc. in computer science from the University of Manchester and A D.Sc (HC) from Manchester Metropolitan University. His passion for teaching and sharing ideas led him to take up a lecturing post at Manchester.
During this time he became heavily involved in the ‘hobby computer’ movement and set up a local computer club that engaged the local community in this new and exciting field. In 1986 the lure of industry became too great and he set up an electronics design consultancy. In 1997 he sold the company and established Norcott Technologies. Today Norcott is a leading UK provider of electronic design and manufacturing services company serving a wide range of customers ranging from innovators and early stage businesses through to blue chip multinational companies and UK and European academic research institutions.
Within Norcott he is heavily involved at the engineering “coal face”. He has led on designs as diverse as engine management units, high performance cryptographic engines, x-ray scanning systems and “internet edge” devices. In 2008 his passion for education resurfaced .With a group of like- minded individuals based in Cambridge they established the Raspberry Pi Foundation. As a UK registered charity it has a keen focus on putting creativity, experimentation and fun into the teaching of digital making, primarily through the use of the low cost Raspberry Pi Linux computer.
Pete was responsible for the design and manufacturing support for the first three million devices including the transfer of operations back to the UK at Sony Pencoed. Over a period of thirteen years the Raspberry Pi computer has gone from being a small scale educational project to a worldwide phenomenon with sales of over 50 Million units and has become the third best-selling computing platform behind the Apple Mac and the ubiquitous ‘86 based PCs.
The trading arm is now a UK listed plc. Within Raspberry Pi, Pete served a 10 year term as foundation trustee focusing on helping to bring computer science and engineering centre stage in young people’s search for a fulfilling career through mainstream and ad hoc educational opportunities.
He currently support the foundation in the capacity of a Member/Advisor. He has promoted excellence in design across the spectrum of engineering disciplines serving a 4 year presidency of the Institution of Engineering Designers. In 2017 Pete was the co-recipient the prestigious MacRobert Award for excellence in engineering and became a fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering in 2018. In addition to his “day job”, Pete currently serves as the Chair of the Academy’s “Ingenious” awards that provide funding for inspiring and creative public engagement in engineering, specifically targeting underrepresented communities.
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For overseas delegates who wish to attend the event, please note that BCS does not issue invitation letters. Image by Michael Förtsch
This event is brought to you by: Manchester branch
