Computers & Business Machines

Imagine the loss, 100 years from now, if museums hadn't begun preserving the artifacts of the computer age. The last few decades offer proof positive of why museums must collect continuously—to document technological and social transformations already underway.

The museum's collections contain mainframes, minicomputers, microcomputers, and handheld devices. Computers range from the pioneering ENIAC to microcomputers like the Altair and the Apple I. A Cray2 supercomputer is part of the collections, along with one of the towers of IBM's Deep Blue, the computer that defeated reigning champion Garry Kasparov in a chess match in 1997. Computer components and peripherals, games, software, manuals, and other documents are part of the collections. Some of the instruments of business include adding machines, calculators, typewriters, dictating machines, fax machines, cash registers, and photocopiers

Michael Dell’s PC’s Limited Turbo PC came with an eighty-four-key AT-style keyboard.
Description
Michael Dell’s PC’s Limited Turbo PC came with an eighty-four-key AT-style keyboard. The AT-style keyboard was compatible with the IBM PC/AT computer and featured the function keys to the left, ten numerical keys at the top, and light-up buttons indicating Caps Lock, Number Lock, and Scroll Lock. The keyboard connected to the Turbo PC via a five-pin DIN connector.
date made
1985
maker
Dell Inc.
ID Number
2007.0042.03
catalog number
2007.0042.03
accession number
2007.0042
This example of "Sargon II Chess," a computer game on cartridge by Commodore for the VIC-20 microcomputer, is in its original box.Currently not on view
Description
This example of "Sargon II Chess," a computer game on cartridge by Commodore for the VIC-20 microcomputer, is in its original box.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Commodore Business Machines, Inc.
ID Number
1987.0249.43
accession number
1987.0249
catalog number
1987.0249.43
This software, VIC Payroll by Microspec, is on a 5 in. floppy disk. There also is a user's guide in a 7" x 9" three-ring binder. The materials were designed for use with the VIC-20 microcomputer.Currently not on view
Description
This software, VIC Payroll by Microspec, is on a 5 in. floppy disk. There also is a user's guide in a 7" x 9" three-ring binder. The materials were designed for use with the VIC-20 microcomputer.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1983
maker
Microspec
ID Number
1987.0249.17
accession number
1987.0249
catalog number
1987.0249.17
In the mid-1960s, Dartmouth College professors John Kemeny and Thomas Kurtz developed a computer language intended to be easy to learn and use. They called it BASIC -- Beginners' All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code.
Description
In the mid-1960s, Dartmouth College professors John Kemeny and Thomas Kurtz developed a computer language intended to be easy to learn and use. They called it BASIC -- Beginners' All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code. Students learned BASIC on a teletype terminal that communicated with a central computer. Several terminals were linked to one computer as part of a system called timesharing. Students on remote terminals could use the computer without seeing it--or even knowing what kind of computer it was. This particular BASIC tape was used with a MITS Altair 8800, a later microcomputer.
date made
ca 1975
ID Number
1986.0463.24
catalog number
1986.0463.24
accession number
1986.0463
A "Programmer's Aid Cartridge" (designated the VIC-1212) that plugs into an expansion interface on the VIC-20. Also included is an instruction guide. The accession also included a VIC-20 microcomputer.Currently not on view
Description
A "Programmer's Aid Cartridge" (designated the VIC-1212) that plugs into an expansion interface on the VIC-20. Also included is an instruction guide. The accession also included a VIC-20 microcomputer.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1987.0249.20
accession number
1987.0249
catalog number
1987.0249.20
This example of "Super Expander," a computer game on cartridge by Commodore for the VIC-20 microcomputer, is in its original box.Currently not on view
Description
This example of "Super Expander," a computer game on cartridge by Commodore for the VIC-20 microcomputer, is in its original box.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Commodore Business Machines, Inc.
ID Number
1987.0249.44
accession number
1987.0249
catalog number
1987.0249.44
This computer game on cartridge for the VIC-20 microcomputer was made by Microdigital and consists of a cassetteand instruction sheet in a plastic case.Currently not on view
Description
This computer game on cartridge for the VIC-20 microcomputer was made by Microdigital and consists of a cassette
and instruction sheet in a plastic case.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1981
maker
Microdigital
ID Number
1987.0249.21
accession number
1987.0249
catalog number
1987.0249.21
This software for the VIC-20 microcomputer is entitled VIC General Ledger and was made by Microspec. It consists of a 5" floppy disk and a user's guide in a 7" x 9" three-ring binder.Currently not on view
Description
This software for the VIC-20 microcomputer is entitled VIC General Ledger and was made by Microspec. It consists of a 5" floppy disk and a user's guide in a 7" x 9" three-ring binder.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1983
maker
Microspec
ID Number
1987.0249.16
catalog number
1987.0249.16
accession number
1987.0249
This computer game, Galaxy Invasion, was released in 1980 by Big Five Software for the TRS-80 Model I and III microcomputers. The software package included an instruction manual, a special instruction sheet, and a 5.25” disk.
Description
This computer game, Galaxy Invasion, was released in 1980 by Big Five Software for the TRS-80 Model I and III microcomputers. The software package included an instruction manual, a special instruction sheet, and a 5.25” disk. It is enclosed in a plastic bag with a price sticker of $19.95 ($61.00 in 2019 dollars).
This game was based on the arcade game “Galaxian” released in 1979 by Namco. Galaxy Invasion was Big Five Software’s first game to feature sound and music. The object of the game was to shoot down space aliens, with extra points awarded if you shot a space alien while it was attacking, and to destroy a Flagship within a set amount of time.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1980
ID Number
2012.3098.016
catalog number
2012.3098.016
nonaccession number
2012.3098
These materials for the program VIC Checkbook Manager by Microspec. include a 5" floppy disk and a user's guide in a 7" x 9" three-ring binder, They came with the VIC-20 microcomputer included in the accession.Currently not on view
Description
These materials for the program VIC Checkbook Manager by Microspec. include a 5" floppy disk and a user's guide in a 7" x 9" three-ring binder, They came with the VIC-20 microcomputer included in the accession.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1983
maker
Microspec
ID Number
1987.0249.18
accession number
1987.0249
catalog number
1987.0249.18
"Robert Carrier's Menu Planner," made for the VIC-20 microcomputer by Commodore and Ivan Berg Software, Ltd., consists of two cassettes and an instruction booklet in their original box.Currently not on view
Description
"Robert Carrier's Menu Planner," made for the VIC-20 microcomputer by Commodore and Ivan Berg Software, Ltd., consists of two cassettes and an instruction booklet in their original box.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1982
maker
Commodore Business Machines, Inc.
Ivan Berg Software
ID Number
1987.0249.25
accession number
1987.0249
catalog number
1987.0249.25
WatchWord Version 2.1was software for the Zenith Z100 (or Heath H100) microcomputers and was developed by S&K Technology, Inc. of San Antonio, Texas, in 1984. The package includes a 5.25" disk, two product brochures, and a questionnaire.
Description
WatchWord Version 2.1was software for the Zenith Z100 (or Heath H100) microcomputers and was developed by S&K Technology, Inc. of San Antonio, Texas, in 1984. The package includes a 5.25" disk, two product brochures, and a questionnaire. WatchWord was a word processing and editing tool developed to run on microcomputers running either ZDOS or MSDOS operating systems. It was created for use by beginner, intermediate, and advanced level users. Basic key functions were available for all users and it provided the ability to assign 20 different keystroke sequences to other keys. Advanced users could create their own command files for repeatable sequences of keystrokes (called macros). A status line at the bottom of the screen kept track of the cursor position, line number, file size, file name, operation mode, and the current time. WatchWord provided built-in support for many common printers. In 1984 the software sold for $100 (approximately $246 in 2019 dollars).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1984
ID Number
2012.3098.052
catalog number
2012.3098.052
nonaccession number
2012.3098
This software program, ProKey, was sold by CE Software, Inc., for DOS users. The package includes one 3.25" disk, a user manual, product guide, letter to the user, registration card, and a support pamphlet.
Description
This software program, ProKey, was sold by CE Software, Inc., for DOS users. The package includes one 3.25" disk, a user manual, product guide, letter to the user, registration card, and a support pamphlet. This software allowed the user to automate routine tasks by recording keyboard and mouse actions (up to 1,009 keystrokes or characters) in a file called a macro. The software came with a wide-range of predefined macros which the user could edit. ProKey was first released in 1982 by RoseSoft, Inc. for $75 ($196 in 2019 dollars). In 1992 the company was purchased by CE Software Inc. of Bellevue, Washington. They released this version for $99 ($186 in 2019 dollars).
Reference:
“Network World,” September 28, 1992.
“InfoWorld,” November 4, 1991.
“PC Magazine,” November 1982.
Kelly, Brian W. and Grimes, Dennis J., 1985, “DEC Microcomputer Directory,” Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1992
maker
Bishops Antiques
ID Number
2012.3098.018
catalog number
2012.3098.018
nonaccession number
2012.3098
serial number
100436
"Quizmaster," a computer game by Commodore sold for the VIC-20, consists of one cartridge in its original box.Currently not on view
Description
"Quizmaster," a computer game by Commodore sold for the VIC-20, consists of one cartridge in its original box.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Commodore Business Machines, Inc.
Ivan Berg Software
ID Number
1987.0249.35
accession number
1987.0249
catalog number
1987.0249.35
"Home Babysitter," a computer game by Commodore sold for the VIC-20, consists of one cartridge in its original box.Currently not on view
Description
"Home Babysitter," a computer game by Commodore sold for the VIC-20, consists of one cartridge in its original box.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1982
maker
Commodore Business Machines, Inc.
ID Number
1987.0249.34
accession number
1987.0249
catalog number
1987.0249.34
This AC adapter, made for Omega Engineering, Inc., of Stamford, Connecticut, in Taiwan, was for the LCD laptop computer (a Commodore prototype). For an example of the computer, see 1992.0439.01.1.Currently not on view
Description
This AC adapter, made for Omega Engineering, Inc., of Stamford, Connecticut, in Taiwan, was for the LCD laptop computer (a Commodore prototype). For an example of the computer, see 1992.0439.01.1.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1985
maker
Omega Engineering, Inc.
ID Number
1992.0439.01.2
catalog number
1992.0439.01.2
accession number
1992.0439
Pronto Systems, Inc. introduced its Pronto Series 16 microcomputer in 1983. It represented the high end of business computing of its era.
Description
Pronto Systems, Inc. introduced its Pronto Series 16 microcomputer in 1983. It represented the high end of business computing of its era. The Pronto pioneered innovative design features, including a tilting and swiveling monitor, a small foot print, a streamlined and adjustable keyboard, and an expandable cord that allowed the processor to be stored as much as six feet away from the monitor. These features won a 1983 design award from Industrial Design Magazine. The computer offered the first tower system—a design that later became common in the industry. This index number covers the tower.
Inside, the Pronto 16 was a powerful machine designed for the full range of business applications. It had a 16-bit Intel 80186 microprocessor. It was shipped with MS-DOS 2.0. It had 128 KB of RAM, which could be expanded to 1 MB. The standard hard drive was 5.6 MB, and it was removable. The computer had dual 800 KB floppy drives (5 ¼"), dual serial ports, one parallel port, and a high-resolution monochrome monitor. Users could buy a color monitor as an option. The base price was $3,000.
Over 1,000 systems were sold from 1983 to 1987. The company had to file for bankruptcy when the stock market crashed while the company was in the process of going public through an Initial Public Offering.
The donors of this example of the Pronto 16 were both associated with the firm that made it. Henry Gasbarro was founder, executive vice president, and chief technology officer of Pronto. He created the company in 1982. Skip Hansen, vice president of engineering, was responsible for the hardware design, software,and the high-resolution graphics capability that the system had.
See the other parts of acquisition 2001.0255 as well as 2001.3082.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1983-1987
maker
PRONTO Computers, Inc.
ID Number
2001.0255.01
catalog number
2001.0255.01
accession number
2001.0255
This group of five educational computer programs was developed for the Commodore 64 during the 1980s.
Description
This group of five educational computer programs was developed for the Commodore 64 during the 1980s. Each program has its original box, the 5 ¼” software diskettes, and the user manual.
Word Shuttle
This word processing program was released in 1985 and included a 42-page user guide and two keyboard overlays. Word Shuttle was the official word processor of the Young Astronaut Program which operated between 1984 and 2004. The objective of this international educational curriculum was to promote greater interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) through space-themed activities, experiments, and conferences.
Sky Travel
This astronomy program, designed for persons ages 12 and up, was released in 1984 and included a 138-page manual. It provided an interactive guided tour of the universe—in the past, present, and future. The universe model could show the location of more than 1,200 stars, 88 constellations, 8 planets, deep sky objects, and the (then) future appearance (1986) of Halley’s comet. The program had four basic modes: map, set, sky, and chart. Map was used to select the location on Earth; month, day, year, and time were determined in set; optional displays were chosen in sky; and chart was used to project the sky on a celestial sphere with coordinate lines for creating, viewing, and printing your own star charts.
JUST IMAGINE…
This creative writing program, released in 1984 for individuals of all ages, included a 20-page manual. The user could create colorful animated stories by selecting up to three animated characters from the twenty-five provided, choosing one of nine backgrounds, and a few of the 48 stationary objects. The author then wrote a story to match the selected graphics. While different parts of the program loaded it displayed random trivia facts from the 300 stored on the diskette. The story could be played back and saved to diskette. The introduction in the manual states that “JUST IMAGINE… is another example of Commodore’s commitment to excellence-in-education through technology.”
Reading Professor
This reading program, released in 1984, was designed to teach reading skills to high school-age students as well as adults. Included with the two software diskettes was a 40-page user guide. The program provided a series of ten 20-minute lessons to increase reading speed and improve comprehension by presenting specific techniques for eliminating bad reading habits and developing new skills. It has a library of reading materials with three reading levels--High School, College and Adult, and Professional. Each level contains thirty-two reading selections. The program used seven types of exercises to monitor and log progress and success.
Typing Professor
This typing program, released in 1984 for individuals ages 12 and up, included a 20-page manual, two cassettes for use with a Commodore 16, and a diskette for use with either a Commodore 64 or Commodore Plus/4.
Students could learn the basics of touch typing or learn to improve their typing speed. The program had 19 exercises which increased in difficulty. Each exercise contained a score chart that calculated and recorded the number of errors, error rate, and typing speed. The exercises were timed and the student could not exceed the acceptable error rate before beginning the next exercise. The allowed error rate started at 4% for lesson 1 and decreased to 1% for lessons 16-19. The goal for lesson 19 was 35 words per minute with a less than 1% error rate.
maker
Commodore Business Machines, Inc.
ID Number
2006.0132.28.02
catalog number
2006.0132.28.02
accession number
2006.0132
This black coil of oiled punched paper tape has the code for the BASIC programming language for the Altair 8800 microcomputer. It was received with a plastic bag and the paper envelope in which it was delivered.
Description
This black coil of oiled punched paper tape has the code for the BASIC programming language for the Altair 8800 microcomputer. It was received with a plastic bag and the paper envelope in which it was delivered. The dimensions listed do not include the bag and envelope.
The software was used at the Naval Research Laboratory. It is an an early product of the firm now known as Microsoft.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1977
maker
Micro Instrumentation and Telemetry Systems
ID Number
2013.3016.01
catalog number
2013.3016.01
nonaccession number
2013.3016
This microcomputer, manufactured by Commodore, has serial number V045518.
Description
This microcomputer, manufactured by Commodore, has serial number V045518. It consists of a CPU / keyboard, power supply box, RF
modulator, video cable, another small metal box with cable
(function unknown, but may be the switchbox), another cable
(function unknown) and the operating manual. All are contained in
the original box.
The CPU / keyboard is in a rectangular, plastic housing, cream
colored with brown and tan keys.
The donor dated the object to 1979, Williams's article would suggest a later date.
References:
Bruce Makoto Arnold, “Twenty-Two Columns of Lowbrow Revolution: The Commodore VIC-20 and the Beginning of the Home Computer Era,” Journal in Humanities, 2017, vol. 6 #1, pp. 11-20.
Gregg Williams, "The Commodore VIC 20 Microcomputer: A Low-Cost, High-Performance Consumer Computer," Byte, May, 1981, vol. 6 #5, pp. 46-64.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1979-1981
maker
Commodore Business Machines, Inc.
ID Number
1987.0249.02
accession number
1987.0249
catalog number
1987.0249.02
This reference material and software relate to a GRiD Case 1530 Portable Computer. The bulky black three-ring binder fits in a black case. It is marked with horizontal gray lines and "GRiD" logo inscripted on top-right of the front cover.
Description
This reference material and software relate to a GRiD Case 1530 Portable Computer. The bulky black three-ring binder fits in a black case. It is marked with horizontal gray lines and "GRiD" logo inscripted on top-right of the front cover. The binder is titled "MS-DOS References". Inside the binder holds all reference materials and each section is divided by green tab dividers. The binder's inside back of front cover holds two 3.5 floppy disks contained MS-DOS 5.0 System Root Directory Files in Disk 1 & 2. The last section of the binder contains the Owner's Guide and Server User's Guide.
For the computer to which this relates, see 1997.0124.01.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1986
August 1986
maker
GRiD Systems
ID Number
2015.3168.01
nonaccession number
2015.3168
catalog number
2015.3168.01
Data General was primarily a mini-computer company. But in 1984, it introduced the Data General/One (DG-1), a breakthrough personal computer laptop.
Description
Data General was primarily a mini-computer company. But in 1984, it introduced the Data General/One (DG-1), a breakthrough personal computer laptop. The Data General/One weighed nine pounds, ran MS-DOS, had dual 3 ½" diskettes, a 79-key full stroke keyboard, 128 KB to 512 KB of RAM, and a monochrome LCD screen. It ran on a CMOS 80C88 processor. Unlike other "luggable" computers of the era, the DG-1 was light enough to carry on travel, but also powerful enough to emulate a desktop.
The DG-1 enjoyed only mediocre success. Its 3 ½" diskettes were slightly ahead of their time, and much popular software was not available in 3 ½" format. Adding to the problem, software copyright protection made copying into the 3 ½" format difficult. In addition, the DG-1 base price was relatively high at $2,895, and the real cost tended to be even higher, because users generally needed both more RAM and an external 5 ¼" drive to run disks from their desktop machines.
This example is a Model No. 2203 with serial number Q0026418.
The carrying case for the Data General/One (1995.0069.02) is divided into two sections. One contains the laptop-sized computer and a part for the floppy drive. the other contains:
1. two power cords
2. a modem cable
3. three 3 1/2" diskettes in a plastic fox. The diskettes all have a paper label that reads: Data General. One has no further marks. A second is marked: DATA GENERAL/ONE PERSONAL SYSTEM (/) MS-DOS REV 2.11 (/) DATA GENERAL CORPORATION (/) 1984 (/) ALL RIGHTS RESERVED (/) MICROSOFT CORPORATION (/) 1981 1982 1983 (/) ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. A third is marked: DATA GENERAL / ONE PERSONAL SYSTEM (/) HOW TO USE YOUR DATA GENERAL/ONE. It is copyrighted 1984
4. a spiral-bound Data General One Owner's Manual, Dated September, 1984. The manual contains a loose sheet and a sheet and an owner's manual for the carrying case.
5. six miscellaneous documents on the computer in an envelope marked: Limited Warranty and Service Booklet
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1984
maker
Data General Corporation
ID Number
1995.0069.01
accession number
1995.0069
catalog number
1995.0069.01
These materials relate to the program VIC Mail List (also spelled Maillist) by Microspec. They consist of a 5" floppy disk and a user's guide in a 7" x 9" three-ring binder. They were received with a VIC-20 microcomputer included in the accession.Currently not on view
Description
These materials relate to the program VIC Mail List (also spelled Maillist) by Microspec. They consist of a 5" floppy disk and a user's guide in a 7" x 9" three-ring binder. They were received with a VIC-20 microcomputer included in the accession.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1983
maker
Microspec
ID Number
1987.0249.19
accession number
1987.0249
catalog number
1987.0249.19
This device, the monitor for a VIC-20 microcomputer, was manufactured by USI International.as the Model 1400/C, It has serial number 40445662. The monitor has an attached power cable and an instruction manual, all in the original box.
Description
This device, the monitor for a VIC-20 microcomputer, was manufactured by USI International.as the Model 1400/C, It has serial number 40445662. The monitor has an attached power cable and an instruction manual, all in the original box. The housing is metal,
Received with VIC-20 microcomputer 1987.0249.02.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
USI International
ID Number
1987.0249.01
accession number
1987.0249
catalog number
1987.0249.01

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