61-year-old computer springs back to life

The CNN article mentions the restoration and links to your linked article all but immediately.

I'm having a hard time understanding your issue here.

Were you let down by expecting to read about a machine that had mysteriously repaired and reanimated itself based on the headline?

[...]

>The original article is a much more appropriate read

From your the first line (in bold) of your link:

> The world's oldest original digital computer springs back into action at TNMOC

Rudimentary 'stack trace': "When the computer stops owing to a programme error on a faulty tape it is useful to know what order is stored in the control section of the computer or the address from which an order is being read. Five keys on the Control racks switch in a lamp display showing this information."

Programs were written, debugged and staged on paper tape, then went into production: "The normal procedure is to make a paper original using the keyboard perforator. From this a printed slip is produced and checked against the manuscript programme. Any errors are marked up and if necessary a corrected paper copy is made. The paper original or copy may then be proved in the computer and any further corrections inserted. Where the final loops of tape are required to pass through the computer more than a few dozen times linen copies are made from the paper originals."

Typing errors on the tape were corrected by backspacing over the error, then punching all holes open. I guess the reading unit recognized this as a NOP or NULL character.

Deployment of programs were done by glueing both ends of the tape together, so it formed a loop: "Splice the tape into loops by cutting the ends to a blunt point, allowing an overlap of two or three rows. Coat both ends sparingly with thick paste on one side and join, with the leading end on top. The joint should be lined up carefully to ensure that there is no discontinuity at the edges and that the feed holes are clear. Press the joint together firmly and dry thoroughly before use. Avoid excess paste on the linen tape as the starch impregnation is easily removed by moisture."

I don't know how large the numbers were that needed 10 seconds to multiply, but even if it is not much faster (or even if it is slower) than a human for a single operation, a human won't be able to reliably do arithmetic over any comparable time frame.