Published online by Cambridge University Press: 18 August 2016
In a paper read before the Institute in January 1936, E. W. Phillips discussed developments in computing machines and made the following prediction :
If it [the light-ray machine] is provided with all the necessary material on the morning of 1st January, the whole of the valuation will be completed within 15 minutes or so. Indeed when the actuary arrives there will still be time to complete the valuation over again on eight or nine other bases before he goes out to lunch, and yet have ready the figures necessary for the Annual General Meeting in the afternoon.