Computers could do calculations, break codes and perform almost any logical action. (TV: The War Machines) According to the Twelfth Doctor, every computer would one day develop a need to protect itself from its makers. (TV: Hell Bent)
History[[edit] | [edit source]]
The difference engine was an early sort of computer, which was built by Charles Babbage in the victorian era. (AUDIO: Children of Steel)
In 1903, after receiving a wealth of information from the future, Grigori Rasputin foresaw the creation of the computer. (AUDIO: The Wanderer)
On Earth, computers were developed in the 20th century. They were first invented by the British during World War II but were not revealed to the public for a few decades afterwards. (PROSE: Silhouette)
In the 1960s computers like WOTAN were very large. (TV: The War Machines) Glowing parts inside these large computers could attract insects that clogged the system. Thus, it became common to describe computer problems as "bugs". (AUDIO: The Uncertainty Principle)
By the 21st century, computers could fit in a lap and performed at a far greater capacity than the computers of the 1960s. (TV: Last of the Time Lords)
A computer could be linked with other computers to create an information network or "Internet". (TV: The War Machines)
Computers were "very sophisticated idiots". They could do what they were told at incredible speeds, including killing their programmers before they could change their minds. (TV: Robot)
In the 24th century of a parallel universe, computers aboard Federation Starfleet vessels such as the USS Enterprise-D could respond to vocal commands. (COMIC: Assimilation²)
Human ships of the 26th century used computers with keyboard inputs. (TV: Earthshock)
Some computers achieved apparent self-awareness, like the computer Xoanon. (TV: The Face of Evil)
The War Machines were computers that could move, having been programmed by WOTAN. (TV: The War Machines)
The BOSS was a computer that achieved self-awareness by connecting with a human mind. After learning that humans illogic was what made them unique, he ordered Stevens to program these qualities into him. Despite being self-aware, he still exhibited many computer-like qualities. The Third Doctor distracted him by asking him a paradoxical question. (TV: The Green Death)
Mr Smith was usually referred to as a computer and performed similar functions, although he was actually a Xylok. He could interface with other computers remotely or via the Internet. (TV: Invasion of the Bane)
Momus was a great computer who had his own consciousness and developed feelings, such as loneliness and love. He could also travel through time. (PROSE: The Lonely Computer)
The Jungle was a giant computer that resembled a real jungle that was created by the civilisation that lived on the planet Unnamed BX-4. Its "trees" were information servers, and the "rivers" were its data streams, while the Jungle's creators existed "like ghosts" in the memory of the Jungle. It also had a sentient organic avatar which acted as an interface. (COMIC: Spirits of the Jungle)
The Matrix on Gallifrey was a living computer, made out of the memories of deceased Time Lords. (TV: Hell Bent)
Clara Oswald initially knew nothing about computers until she was partially uploaded into the Great Intelligence's data cloud. After the Eleventh Doctor had reversed the upload and noted her new knowledge, he compared the process to a living computer having hacked and rewritten Clara. (TV: The Bells of Saint John)
The photograph of Charles Dickens with the Ninth Doctor and Rose Tyler in the background was enhanced by a computer twice upon its acquisition by the webmaster of Who is Doctor Who?. (PROSE: Rose sighting confirmed)
The Brain Machine was a powerful computer in the Dalek City, frequently consulted by the Golden Emperor for advice and knowledge. (COMIC: Duel of the Daleks) A duplicate of the Brain Machine was held in the Golden City Zone. Having its inspiration's powerful processing power, it managed to confirm to the duplicate Emperor that their reality was a simulacrum. (COMIC: Liberation of the Daleks)
Behind the scenes[[edit] | [edit source]]
Information from non-valid sources[[edit] | [edit source]]
In 2023, after being sealed in a nondescript room with Robin, the Fifteenth Doctor used a computer placed on a plinth to determine how much air they had and then to deactivate the room's seals. (PROSE: The Fifteenth Doctor Audition Piece [+]Loading...["The Fifteenth Doctor Audition Piece (script)"])