Celebrating 70 Years of Fortran

On 15th October, the scientific community will be commemorating the 70th anniversary of Fortran, a programming language that has played a pivotal role in advancing scientific computing. Fortran has been instrumental in various scientific disciplines, including nuclear engineering, climate forecasting, and materials science. The Institute of Computing for Climate Science (ICCS) is organizing a special event to celebrate this milestone at the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester, United Kingdom.

The event, titled 'Celebrating 70 Years of Fortran', is scheduled for 1st December 2026 and will include a retrospective workshop, a keynote address, lightning talks, and an open discussion on the future of Fortran. Renowned Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory researcher Damian Rouson will deliver the keynote speech, reflecting on Fortran's evolution over the past seven decades.

The event will also feature demonstrations of historical computing equipment, such as the 1940s experimental computer 'Baby'. Registration for the in-person event is free and can be done through the provided link. The registration deadline is 9th November 2026. The event will be held both on-site and remotely via Zoom. Additional information about the event, including the full program and details on submitting lightning talks and posters, can be found on the event's webpage.