The Atlas Basic Software Group was formed in January 1972 under Bob Hopgood. It was responsible for all graphics and systems developments from then until the closure of the Atlas Computer Laboratory in 1975. The period covers the development of the ICL 1906A-PDP15 system, bringing the ICL 1906A into operation under the untried GEORGE 4 Operating System and developing the Communications infrastructure for users remote access to the ICL 1906A and the IBM 360/195 via a GEC4080 Front-End.
During the same period, the elderly SC4020 microfilm recorder was replaced with the III FR80 microfilm recorder.
The Group ceased to exist soon after the Atlas Computer Laboratory was merged with the Rutherford Laboratory on September 1 1975. The period between then and April 1 1976 saw the completion of the FR80 Project, the freezing of developments on the ICL 1906A, and the move of most of the Basic Software Group's remaining staff to work on the Interactive Engineering Facility developed by the Atlas Computing Division of the Rutherford Laboratory.