Writing to von Neumann on 8 February 1946, Newman had explained that he was hoping to embark on a computing machine section here, having got very interested in electronic devices of this kind during the last two or three years.
1946年2月8日，纽曼写信给冯·诺伊曼：我希望能在这里开展计算机器方面的研究，近两三年来我对这类电子设备产生了浓厚的兴趣。
By about 18 months ago I had decided to try my hand at starting up a machine unit when I got out.
大约18个月前，我就决定要着手建造一种机器，
It was indeed one of my reasons for coming to Manchester that the set-up here is favourable in several ways.
我之所以来到曼彻斯特，原因之一就是因为这里在该领域有很多先进的设备。
This was before I knew anything of the American work, or of the scheme for a unit at the National Physical Laboratory.
在这之前，我从未知道美国方面和国家物理实验室的任何计划，
Later I heard of the various American machines, existing and projected, from Hartree and Flowers.
后来我从哈特里和弗洛文斯那里，得知了各式各样的美国机器，包括已完成的和正在研究的。
Once the NPL project was started it became questionable whether a further unit was wanted. My view was that in this, as in other branches of technology, basic research is wanted, which can go on without worrying about getting into production ...
国家物理实验室的项目启动之后，很难说是否还需要另一个组织来进行该领域的研究。但是我认为，仍然需要进行一些纯理论的、无需考虑生产问题的基础性研究……
Newman's intention was that mathematical problems of an entirely different kind from those so far tackled by machines might be tried, e.g. testing out (say) the 4-colour theorem or various theorems on lattices, groups, etc. ...
纽曼的想法是：我们可以尝试用机器来解决一些完全不同的问题，比如四色定理，以及各类关于格和群的问题等等……
He explained that
他还说道：
Anyhow, I have put in an application to the Royal Society for a grant of enough to make a start.
总之，我已经向皇家学会提交了一份启动资金的申请。
I am of course in close touch with Turing.
当然，我还与图灵保持着密切的联系。
After discussion with him, and hearing Hartree and Flowers, it seemed to me that if we start on 'mathematical' problems here, in the above sense, we ought to be able to manage with considerably less storage, though I have asked to the Royal Society to be prepared for something fairly substantial.
当我与图灵讨论、并听取了哈特里和弗洛文斯的想法之后，我认为如果我们从数学问题入手，从上述意义来说，我们需要使用一些存储设备，当然我还向皇家学会申请了一些其它的支持。