From 1964 to 1971, the laboratory housed the largest of the three examples of the Ferranti Atlas 1 computer that was purchased for £2.5 million, and after which the laboratory was named.
During the period from 1964 to 1971, the lab had the biggest of the three Ferranti Atlas 1 computers it bought for £2.5 million, and as a result, the lab got its name.