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

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
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 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
The monitor for the Alto computer is designed to sit on a table. The keyboard can be pushed underneath the monitor when not in use. The mouse is square with two buttons. For other parts of the device, see 1989.0432.01.1 and 1989.0432.01.3.Currently not on view
Description
The monitor for the Alto computer is designed to sit on a table. The keyboard can be pushed underneath the monitor when not in use. The mouse is square with two buttons. For other parts of the device, see 1989.0432.01.1 and 1989.0432.01.3.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1973
maker
Xerox Corporation
ID Number
1989.0432.01.2
catalog number
1989.0432.01.2
accession number
1989.0432
In 1974 Stanford University doctoral graduates Harry Garland and Roger Melen established a partnership named for their former dormitory Crothers Memorial Hall. Cromemco was formally incorporated in 1976.
Description
In 1974 Stanford University doctoral graduates Harry Garland and Roger Melen established a partnership named for their former dormitory Crothers Memorial Hall. Cromemco was formally incorporated in 1976. For the life of the company Garland and Melen remained the sole shareholders and avoided outside investment. At the insistence of their accountant, the company held a bank credit line but never had to tap the full amount. Their business philosophy was to grow only within the parameters of available cash. Revenues in 1975 were $50,000 and grew to an estimated $55 million by 1987 when the owners sold the company to Dynatech.
The company’s first products were a microcomputer system digital camera, the Cyclops, and a color graphics card called the Dazzler. From these products the company moved on to making reliable, high-quality business and scientific computers and in 1982, they introduced the C-10 Personal Computer. Cromemco systems were the first commercially marketed microcomputers certified by the U.S. Navy for use aboard ships and Ohio class submarines for data logging during tests. The United States Air Force became a major customer for their Theater Air Control System (TACS) and the Mission Support System (MSS) for F-16, F-15 and other aircraft. By 1986 more than 80 percent of the major-market television stations in the U.S. used Cromemco systems to produce news and weather graphics.
According to the user manual, “The C-10’s high-quality construction, continual self-testing, and proven design assure that it will perform faithfully year after year.”
This Cromemco C-10 microcomputer was used at Monroe High School in Monroe, MI from 1982-2008. In 1980 physics teacher Darol Straub started an after school computer class which led to the development of the school’s first formal computer curriculum. To be accepted into the course, students were required to take an aptitude entrance test. Classes were two periods per day for three years. Hardware and software topics included basic circuits to microcomputer design and building, and programming in binary code and assembly language as well as higher level languages such as BASIC, FORTRAN, PASCAL, COBOL, and “C.” The third year focused on developing advanced projects using speech recognition, numeric control, fiber optic communication, graphic design, and robotics.
Many of Straub’s students went on to college to study computer science and earned jobs with companies such as Microsoft and Intel. Two brothers who completed the curriculum opened a computer company when they graduated from high school. According to Mr. Straub, the company was still in business in 2018. The brother of the donor, also a student of Straub’s, graduated from Monroe High School in 2009 and MIT in 2013. He now works for Space X.
In 1988 the Computer Engineering Program students produced a 20 minute video “Monroe High School – Current Generation” which the school used to promote and recruit new students for the course.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1982
user
Straub, Darol
Gagnon, Blair
maker
Cromemco Inc.
ID Number
2018.0113.01
accession number
2018.0113
catalog number
2018.0113.01
The punched paper tape contains the program SPACEWAR. In addition there is documentation on this program, a sheet of code, and documentation on the program D+7A/IO REV E.Currently not on view
Description
The punched paper tape contains the program SPACEWAR. In addition there is documentation on this program, a sheet of code, and documentation on the program D+7A/IO REV E.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1976
maker
Cromemco Inc.
ID Number
2012.3060.12
catalog number
2012.3060.12
nonaccession number
2012.3060
This box contains a three-ring binder with a manual for Conetic Systems, Inc., Higgins Group Productivity Software, System Administrator Local Area Network Version 2.2. Also in the box are:1. a spiral-bound manual entitled Tutorial Guide Local Area Network2.
Description
This box contains a three-ring binder with a manual for Conetic Systems, Inc., Higgins Group Productivity Software, System Administrator Local Area Network Version 2.2. Also in the box are:
1. a spiral-bound manual entitled Tutorial Guide Local Area Network
2. a spiral-bound manual entitled Reference Manual Local Area Network
3. a March 1,1989 Product List of Enable Software
There is no actual software with this documentation.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1989
ID Number
2012.3060.08
catalog number
2012.3060.08
nonaccession number
2012.3060
This blue spring binder contains an eight-inch disk with a copy of version 1.0 of DEBBI (Disk Extended Basic By ICOM) for the IMSAI 8080 microcomputer. There also is a set of sheets documenting the program. These appear to be a photocopy.
Description
This blue spring binder contains an eight-inch disk with a copy of version 1.0 of DEBBI (Disk Extended Basic By ICOM) for the IMSAI 8080 microcomputer. There also is a set of sheets documenting the program. These appear to be a photocopy. Donor and user Barry Berg commented about this program that IMSAI "came out with their own disk BASIC. It was kind of a lame BASIC. It was very flexible and it was
kind of buggy. But it was one first disk-based BASICs and back then there wasn't too many disk systems around. So you ran with it."
For Berg's IMSAI microcomputer, see 2010.0239.01.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1977
ID Number
2012.3060.21
nonaccession number
2012.3060
catalog number
2012.3060.21
This blue box contains fifteen 5 1/4" floppy discs, namely:1. four associated with Easy Business Systems Retail Invoicing by Easy Business Systems2. one with software from the Easy Business Systems Plus Series for the IBM Personal Computer and IBM Personal Computer XT3.
Description
This blue box contains fifteen 5 1/4" floppy discs, namely:
1. four associated with Easy Business Systems Retail Invoicing by Easy Business Systems
2. one with software from the Easy Business Systems Plus Series for the IBM Personal Computer and IBM Personal Computer XT
3. ten backup discs. Six are associated in some way with payroll. Four are backups for the G/L Program (i.e. the General Ledger associated with the Retail Invoicing system).
The box also contains a metal springback notebook of documentation on the related Easy Business Systems Retail Invoicing system. This is copyrighted 1986. Finally there is a laminated sheet entitled "Retail Invoicing Quick Guide."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1986
maker
Computer Associates
ID Number
2012.3060.09
catalog number
2012.3060.09
nonaccession number
2012.3060
This square plastic box holds a clear plastic sheet marked with a grid of lines that fits in an indentation in the box. There is a black plastic stylus that attaches to the tablet via a cord and another cord to link the tablet to a microcomputer.
Description
This square plastic box holds a clear plastic sheet marked with a grid of lines that fits in an indentation in the box. There is a black plastic stylus that attaches to the tablet via a cord and another cord to link the tablet to a microcomputer. The donor used the device with an Apple IIe microcomputer. The dimensions depend on placement of cord.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1900
ca 1990
maker
Apple Computer, Inc.
ID Number
2012.0120.03
catalog number
2012.0120.03
accession number
2012.0120
Northstar developed from a computer store called "The Original Kentucky Fried Computer." It changed its name due to impending litigation by Kentucky Fried Chicken. The company's first product was a Floating Point Math Board for S-100 computers.
Description
Northstar developed from a computer store called "The Original Kentucky Fried Computer." It changed its name due to impending litigation by Kentucky Fried Chicken. The company's first product was a Floating Point Math Board for S-100 computers. They then developed an inexpensive floppy drive system. This led the way to the Horizon, one of the first computers with built in floppy drives.
Announced in November 1977, the Horizon was sold in a wooden cabinet, as opposed to the more usual metal or plastic. The initial price was $1,899 assembled and $1,599 unassembled. The Horizon ran on a Z-80 microprocessor that ran at 4 MHz. It contained 16 KB of RAM, which could be expanded to 64 KB and 1 KB of ROM. The operating system was both CP/M and Northstar DOS. The machine was among the first to offer floppy drives, and customers could order one or two 90 KB 5 ¼" drives. Northstar was also one of the first machines to offer a hard disk drive. This was called an HD-18, and had 18 megabytes on an 18" platter. The Northstar Horizon was suited for business, education, and software development applications.
This particular machine was donated to the Smithsonian by Peter A. McWilliams. He used it in writing The Word Processing Book: A Short Course in Computer Literacy (1982). When it sold well, McWilliams wrote The Personal Computer Book, (1983), which became a runaway bestseller. This was his first computer.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1977
maker
Northstar
ID Number
1989.0354.01
catalog number
1989.0354.01
accession number
1989.0354
In the course of the 1960s and 1970s, computer manufacturers developed diverse ways of storing data and programs on magnetic media. Expertise developed at large manufacturers like IBM found its way into more specialized firms. One such company was Shugart Associates.
Description
In the course of the 1960s and 1970s, computer manufacturers developed diverse ways of storing data and programs on magnetic media. Expertise developed at large manufacturers like IBM found its way into more specialized firms. One such company was Shugart Associates. In 1976, the California-based company introduced the SA400 disk drive for reading and storing information from 5 ¼” floppy disks.
A mark on a tag on the bottom front of the drive reads: SHUGART ASSOCIATES (/) MODEL NO. 400 MINIFLOPPY (/) VOLT NA FREQ NA Hz (/) SERIAL NO. 000004 (/) MADE IN U.S.A. This example has no case.
This is the fourth SA400 that the firm produced. The drive sold both as a standalone unit and as part of microcomputers offered by other companies. By 1982 Shugart had shipped over a million units.
For related materials see 1980.0612.01.3 (a press release on Shugart Associates) and drawings 1982.0385.02 through 1982.0385.10. For another Shugart SA400 disk drive received at the same time, see 1982.3017.
References:
Accession file.
"Background: Shugart Associates," September 1979, 1980.0612.01.3.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1976
maker
Shugart Associates
ID Number
1982.0385.01
catalog number
1982.0385.01
accession number
1982.0385
This portable, pen-operated personal digital assistant has a black plastic case and a clear screen. A space for an electronic pen is above the screen, although the pen presently with the device does not fit into the space.
Description
This portable, pen-operated personal digital assistant has a black plastic case and a clear screen. A space for an electronic pen is above the screen, although the pen presently with the device does not fit into the space. The pen can be plugged in to either the left or the right side of the Cadillac.
Below the screen is an Apple logo. A tag on the left of the screen reads: SEUTØ13. A tag on the back reads: SEUTØ13 (/) IC.
The Cadillac is a manufacturer’s prototype of the Newton personal digital assistant – Apple would sell the Newton from 1993 until 1998. This example of the Cadillac was owned by Rodney Sol Furmanski (1963-2009), a mechanical engineer by training who worked at Claris as a test engineer. He used the object to test the Newton operating system.
Source:
Accession file.
date made
ca1990
maker
Apple Computer, Inc.
ID Number
2010.0023.1
accession number
2010.0023
catalog number
2010.0023.1
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1979
ID Number
2012.3098.082
catalog number
2012.3098.082
nonaccession number
2012.3098
Desktop Plan was software for the Apple II computer written by Don Williams in 1980 and distributed by Personal Software, Inc., of Sunnyvale, California. The documentation binder includes a 5.25" diskette and a user manual.
Description
Desktop Plan was software for the Apple II computer written by Don Williams in 1980 and distributed by Personal Software, Inc., of Sunnyvale, California. The documentation binder includes a 5.25" diskette and a user manual. With Desktop Plan, the development of business analysis reports such as budgets, cost/price analysis, sales forecasts, profit/loss projections, and cash flow planning could be completed quickly and easily. Customized reports could be used to test many alternatives by simply changing data values. The software required no programming knowledge--the user selected functions from a menu and answered the follow-up questions.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1980
maker
Personal Software, Inc.
ID Number
2012.3098.049
catalog number
2012.3098.049
nonaccession number
2012.3098
serial number
3891
Tallymaster was software for the TRS-80 Model I and III written by Chuck Tesler for Prosoft, Inc. of North Hollywood, California.
Description
Tallymaster was software for the TRS-80 Model I and III written by Chuck Tesler for Prosoft, Inc. of North Hollywood, California. The binder includes advertisements for other Prosoft products, product catalogs, a user manual, a 5.25" software disk, and an invoice from JMG Software International to Jon Eklund (curator at the National Museum of American History from 1967-1999). Tallymaster was a financial analysis and management tool designed for small businesses and personal use. It performed the functions of a general ledger except that Tallymaster was interactive - the results from arithmetic operations were updated immediately on the screen. Data could be sorted, graphed, printed, and saved. Dr. Eklund purchased this software in June of 1984 for $55.00 (approximately $136 in 2019 dollars).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1983
ID Number
2012.3098.051
catalog number
2012.3098.051
nonaccession number
2012.3098
Professional computer programmer Barry S. Berg was much interested in the using programming in many aspects of his life. During the 1970s he acquired an HP-65 electronic calculator and this notebook of programming strips for it.
Description
Professional computer programmer Barry S. Berg was much interested in the using programming in many aspects of his life. During the 1970s he acquired an HP-65 electronic calculator and this notebook of programming strips for it. They programs relate to aerial navigation and he used them when flying a plane.
For other documentation that relates to the HP-65 and was received from Berg, see 2012.3060.39. An example of the calculator (not used by Berg) is 2011.0023.01.
Reference:
Non-accession file.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1976
maker
Hewlett-Packard Company
ID Number
2012.3060.07
nonaccession number
2012.3060
catalog number
2012.3060.07
Intel introduced its 8080A 8-bit central processing unit (CPU) microprocessor in April 1974. Generally considered as the first truly usable microprocessor, the chip ran at 2 megahertz and powered the Altair 8800 and the IMSAI 8080, two of the first Personal Computers.
Description
Intel introduced its 8080A 8-bit central processing unit (CPU) microprocessor in April 1974. Generally considered as the first truly usable microprocessor, the chip ran at 2 megahertz and powered the Altair 8800 and the IMSAI 8080, two of the first Personal Computers. Housed in a 40-pin DIP package that contained 6,000 transistors, the integrated circuit could receive 8-bit instructions and perform 16-bit operations. This particular example is marked "8321"indicating it was made in the 21st week of 1983. The "D8080A" means the unit has a housing of black ceramic.
date made
1983-05
maker
Intel Corporation
ID Number
1984.0124.04
accession number
1984.0124
catalog number
1984.0124.04
maker number
8080
This document is designed to help a programmer learn the BASIC programming language, as used by HP. It has Hewlett Packard form number 02116-9077.Currently not on view
Description
This document is designed to help a programmer learn the BASIC programming language, as used by HP. It has Hewlett Packard form number 02116-9077.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1970
maker
Hewlett-Packard Company
ID Number
1994.3128.18
nonaccession number
1994.3128
catalog number
1994.3128.18
This software and documentation was written by Walt Bilofsky and distributed by his company, The Software Toolworks of Sherman Oaks, California, in 1980. The REACH Modem and File Transfer Program ran on Heath CP/M microcomputers.
Description
This software and documentation was written by Walt Bilofsky and distributed by his company, The Software Toolworks of Sherman Oaks, California, in 1980. The REACH Modem and File Transfer Program ran on Heath CP/M microcomputers. It was a software tool that turned the computer into a remote time-sharing station for tasks such as transferring files and printing to remote printers. The software cost $19.95 (approximately $62 in 2019 dollars).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1980-1981
maker
Software Toolworks
ID Number
2012.3098.057
catalog number
2012.3098.057
nonaccession number
2012.3098
This mimeographed press release gives background on Shugart Associates. It includes an image of a Shugart SA800 disk drive.Currently not on view
Description
This mimeographed press release gives background on Shugart Associates. It includes an image of a Shugart SA800 disk drive.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1979
maker
Shugart Associates
ID Number
1980.0612.01.3
catalog number
1980.0612.01.3
accession number
1980.0612
This software and documentation, Framework II, released in 1985 for IBM PCs and compatibles, was an updated version of the integrated software package by Ashton-Tate.
Description
This software and documentation, Framework II, released in 1985 for IBM PCs and compatibles, was an updated version of the integrated software package by Ashton-Tate. Framework II enhancements included increased speed; improved use of random-access memory, communications functions, overall operations; and the addition of a spell checker and dictionaries.
The original box contains six 5.25" disks, three user guides Getting Started Framework II, Learning Framework II, Using Framework II, and Advanced Topics Framework II; Customer Support Guide, Software License Agreement, three keyboard templates with a Keyboard Template guide, six labels for backup disks, and instructions for Framework Replacement Diskettes.
Reference:
“InfoWorld,” December 9, 1985.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1985
maker
Ashton-Tate
ID Number
2012.3098.011
catalog number
2012.3098.011
nonaccession number
2012.3098
Originally sold in 2001 by Apple Inc. as a portable music player exclusively for Macintosh’s operating system, the iPod’s market share began to grow as it included Windows operability in 2002 and introduced its iTunes Store in 2003.
Description
Originally sold in 2001 by Apple Inc. as a portable music player exclusively for Macintosh’s operating system, the iPod’s market share began to grow as it included Windows operability in 2002 and introduced its iTunes Store in 2003. This15 GB iPod could operate using either Mac or Windows software. It has serial number JQ41344SQQF and model number A1040. With the object is the original box. Also in the box are a User's Guide, a Quick Reference chart, a warranty, a software license agreement, a sheet describing Apple Store, a CD entitled “iPod”, and a connector cable. There is space for earphones, but they were not included the donation because the original earphones died.
The donor, Elizabeth Gresk, was an intern in the computer collections at the National Museum of American History in the fall of 2009.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
2003-2004
maker
Apple Computer, Inc.
ID Number
2010.0022.1
accession number
2010.0022
catalog number
2010.0022.1
This fifty-nine page manual describes the operation of the HP-45 handheld electronic calculator. A service card is at the back. For the calculator, see 2004.3053.01. For another example of the manual, see 1982.0222.02.Currently not on view
Description
This fifty-nine page manual describes the operation of the HP-45 handheld electronic calculator. A service card is at the back. For the calculator, see 2004.3053.01. For another example of the manual, see 1982.0222.02.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1973
maker
Hewlett-Packard Company
ID Number
2004.3053.06
nonaccession number
2004.3053
catalog number
2004.3053.06

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