Computers & Business Machines

Apple II Personal Computer

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

"Micrografx Chili for Children" button

This circular button has a white background with black text reading "INC.'S" and red text reading "HOT" next to an image of a chili pepper colored in red and green.
Description
This circular button has a white background with black text reading "INC.'S" and red text reading "HOT" next to an image of a chili pepper colored in red and green. The back reads "Comdex 11/94" in black permanent ink.
Compare 2009.3071.828, 2009.3071.829, and 2009.3071.830.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1994
ID Number
2009.3071.830
catalog number
2009.3071.830
nonaccession number
2009.3071

Advertising Button, Apple, Macintosh

This circular button has black text on a white backgorund that reads: 3+ for Macintosh Exploding the Barriers. It has a color image of two computers with a red stick of dynamite between them.Currently not on view
Description
This circular button has black text on a white backgorund that reads: 3+ for Macintosh Exploding the Barriers. It has a color image of two computers with a red stick of dynamite between them.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1990s
maker
Apple Computer, Inc.
ID Number
2009.3071.146
catalog number
2009.3071.146
nonaccession number
2009.3071

Button, Let's Get Technical

This circular button has white text on a green background that reads: Let's Get Technical. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: WCS 12/82.
Currently not on view
Description
This circular button has white text on a green background that reads: Let's Get Technical. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: WCS 12/82.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1982
ID Number
2009.3071.435
catalog number
2009.3071.435
nonaccession number
2009.3071

Button, MITSUBISHI MONITORS

This rectangular button has a white background with an image of the United States made up of computer monitors, with one screen colored in blue. Blue text at the top reads: I'm one in a million!
Description
This rectangular button has a white background with an image of the United States made up of computer monitors, with one screen colored in blue. Blue text at the top reads: I'm one in a million! Black text along the bottom, next to a red Mitsubishi logo, reads: MITSUBISHI MONITORS. The reverse reads: "Fall CDX '88" in black permanent ink.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1988
ID Number
2009.3071.647
catalog number
2009.3071.647
nonaccession number
2009.3071

Button, COMDEX PROGRAM & EXHIBITS GUIDE

This circular computer button has a white background. A blue horizontal stripe with white text reads: COMDEX PROGRAM & EXHIBITS GUIDE. Black text on white background above and below stripe reads: "I READ MY" and "TODAY" respectively.Currently not on view
Description
This circular computer button has a white background. A blue horizontal stripe with white text reads: COMDEX PROGRAM & EXHIBITS GUIDE. Black text on white background above and below stripe reads: "I READ MY" and "TODAY" respectively.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2009.3071.633
catalog number
2009.3071.633
nonaccession number
2009.3071

Shugart 5.25-Inch Disk Drive

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

Software, Misosys Disassembler 1.2

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1979
ID Number
2012.3098.079
catalog number
2012.3098.079
nonaccession number
2012.3098

Kings Point SC-11 Handheld Electronic Calculator

This compact scientific calculator has twenty rectangular plastic keys, each of which can take on two meanings. Keys are marked C (clear), +/- (change sign), EEX, and F (function or shift).
Description
This compact scientific calculator has twenty rectangular plastic keys, each of which can take on two meanings. Keys are marked C (clear), +/- (change sign), EEX, and F (function or shift). In addition there are ten digit keys, four arithmetic functions keys, a decimal point key, and a total key. These may take on functional values of inverse, squares, "CONV", "CF", trigonometric and inverse trigonometric functions, exponents, powers, storage, logarithms, square roots, recall, pi, left and right parentheses, and summation. The on/off switch and the radian/degree switch are at the top of the keyboard.
Toward the back is a nine-digit LED display. A sticker behind it reads: Kings Point SC-11.
The power jack is on the back edge of the calculator. The back has a battery compartment and a sticker that reads in part: MODEL SC-11 (/) Made in Korea. It also reads Numbe [illegible] 0850. The black plastic carrying case is stamped: MADE IN KOREA.
Compare Kings Point scientific calculators 1986.0988.011, 1986.0988.298, 1986.0988.299, and 1986.0988.214.
No advertisements found. The calculator.org website gives a date of introduction of 1975. However, this model is not mentioned in advertisements from that year for other Kings Point calculators.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1977
maker
Kings Point Corporation
ID Number
1986.0988.214
catalog number
1986.0988.214
accession number
1986.0988

Button, Instant Winner

This square button has a yellow background. It has an image of a man wearing glasses and an orange cape. In yellow text it reads: Instant Winner. DacEasy. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: CDX 4/92.Currently not on view
Description
This square button has a yellow background. It has an image of a man wearing glasses and an orange cape. In yellow text it reads: Instant Winner. DacEasy. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: CDX 4/92.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1992
ID Number
2009.3071.403
catalog number
2009.3071.403
nonaccession number
2009.3071

Advertising Button, Racal Interlan

This circular button has black text on a white background that reads: Let's Interoperate! It also has the Racal Interlan black and red logo. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: Networld 2/89.Currently not on view
Description
This circular button has black text on a white background that reads: Let's Interoperate! It also has the Racal Interlan black and red logo. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: Networld 2/89.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1989
ID Number
2009.3071.056
catalog number
2009.3071.056
nonaccession number
2009.3071

Advertising Button, SiteLock

This circular button has a white background with black text along the border that reads: SiteLock Prevents LAN Viruses. Brightwork Development, Inc. It also has a black and white image of a virus coming out of a computer.
Description
This circular button has a white background with black text along the border that reads: SiteLock Prevents LAN Viruses. Brightwork Development, Inc. It also has a black and white image of a virus coming out of a computer. The image is surrounded by red circle with a slash through it. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: NW 2/92.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1992
ID Number
2009.3071.055
catalog number
2009.3071.055
nonaccession number
2009.3071

Button, Advertising, Digi International Inc., DigiBoard

This circular button has a black background with green text that reads: "The Smartest Connection You Can Make." The white text at the bottom reads: "DigiBoard." At the top is a white outline drawing of a computer connected by a green line to a computer tower; each device has a gr
Description
This circular button has a black background with green text that reads: "The Smartest Connection You Can Make." The white text at the bottom reads: "DigiBoard." At the top is a white outline drawing of a computer connected by a green line to a computer tower; each device has a green light on it. On the reverse is the mechanism for the lights.
Digi International Inc. Company formed in 1985. It manufactured remote access products such as modem and fax boards referred to as digiboards. The company now specializes in wireless communication solutions.
Reference:
https://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/41275/digiboard
[Last accessed 6-5-2019]
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2009.3071.612
catalog number
2009.3071.612
nonaccession number
2009.3071

IBM Button, THLINK

This circular button has black and blue text on a white background that reads: THLINK! (The H and L are connected). A mark in red ink on the reverse reads: Spring Comdex '91.Currently not on view
Description
This circular button has black and blue text on a white background that reads: THLINK! (The H and L are connected). A mark in red ink on the reverse reads: Spring Comdex '91.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1991
maker
IBM
ID Number
2009.3071.214
catalog number
2009.3071.214
nonaccession number
2009.3071

Advertising Button, Apple, Macintosh

This circular button has black text on a yellow background that reads: Register to win a Macintosh PowerBook 100, 140, or 170 March 18 6 - 9 pm Presidential Suite, Westin Hotel, Seattle. It has a black outline of a PowerBook and a solid black Apple logo.
Description
This circular button has black text on a yellow background that reads: Register to win a Macintosh PowerBook 100, 140, or 170 March 18 6 - 9 pm Presidential Suite, Westin Hotel, Seattle. It has a black outline of a PowerBook and a solid black Apple logo. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: SPA Seattle 3/92.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1992
ID Number
2009.3071.145
catalog number
2009.3071.145
nonaccession number
2009.3071

George W. N. Yost Typewriter Patent Model

This typewriter patent model was used by George W.N. Yost in his patent application that received patent number 408,061 on July 30th, 1889.
Description
This typewriter patent model was used by George W.N. Yost in his patent application that received patent number 408,061 on July 30th, 1889. The patent claimed several improvements to typewriter machines including a combination of the carriage and line-spacing apparatus with a lever used for line and letter spacing, the “combination of two extra key levers and connecting rods with the platen transverse reciprocating apparatus of a type-writing machine and a series of key-levers for operating the type-bars located between said extra key-levers.”
Location
Currently not on view
patent date
1889-07-30
inventor
Yost, George W. N.
ID Number
ME.308638
catalog number
308638
patent number
408061
accession number
89797
patent number
408,061

Corona No. 3 Typewriter

This Corona typewriter was manufactured by the Corona Typewriter Company, Inc. of Groton, New York sometime around 1923-1925. The typewriter is a front-striking model with a three row QWERTY keyboard, likely the Corona No.
Description
This Corona typewriter was manufactured by the Corona Typewriter Company, Inc. of Groton, New York sometime around 1923-1925. The typewriter is a front-striking model with a three row QWERTY keyboard, likely the Corona No. 3 although it lacks the “3” numbering on the frame below the spacebar. The Standard Typewriting Company began producing a folding model of typewriter in Groton around 1907.
The success of the Standard Typewriter Company’s Corona model typewriter prompted the company to change its named to the Corona Typewriting Company in 1914. In 1926 the company joined with the L. C. Smith & Brothers Typewriting company to become Smith-Corona. Smith-Corona manufactured typewriters and typewriter accessories throughout the 20th century, becoming Smith Corona Marchant in 1958. After two bankruptcies, Smith-Corona returned to operation in 2010 as a thermal paper manufacturing company.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1923 - 1925
maker
Corona Typewriter Company
ID Number
ME.336759
catalog number
336759
accession number
1978.2479
serial number
590430

OS/2 Lapel Pin

This square lapel pin has a butterfly clutch clasp. The black background has a gold border and text running diagonally; colored in segments of red, yellow and pale green and outlined in gold. It reads: OS/2.
Description
This square lapel pin has a butterfly clutch clasp. The black background has a gold border and text running diagonally; colored in segments of red, yellow and pale green and outlined in gold. It reads: OS/2. The reverse is of gold-colored metal and reads "Spring 8 9" in black permanent ink. The clasp is gold-colored metal.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1989
ID Number
2009.3071.693
catalog number
2009.3071.693
nonaccession number
2009.3071

Datapro Software Finder Button, I Found It!

This circular button has white text on a blue compass background that reads: I Found It. It has a red Datapro Software Finder logo. A markk in back ink on the reverse reads: CDX '90.Currently not on view
Description
This circular button has white text on a blue compass background that reads: I Found It. It has a red Datapro Software Finder logo. A markk in back ink on the reverse reads: CDX '90.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1990
ID Number
2009.3071.503
catalog number
2009.3071.503
nonaccession number
2009.3071

Button, SCSI EXPRESS

This round button has a black background with red text reading: SCSI EXPRESS.Currently not on view
Description
This round button has a black background with red text reading: SCSI EXPRESS.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2009.3071.640
catalog number
2009.3071.640
nonaccession number
2009.3071

Software, Santa Parvia and Flumaccio Computer Game for TRS-80

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1979
ID Number
2012.3098.093
catalog number
2012.3098.093
nonaccession number
2012.3098

Documentation - HP-67 Owner's Handbook and Programming Guide

This spiral-bound 341-page document gives detailed instructions on operating the HP-67 programmable electronic calculator.Currently not on view
Description
This spiral-bound 341-page document gives detailed instructions on operating the HP-67 programmable electronic calculator.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1976
maker
Hewlett-Packard Company
ID Number
1982.0222.04
catalog number
1982.0222.04
accession number
1982.0222

Button, Bring Your Brain. Voyager

This square button has yellow and white text on a black background that reads: Bring Your Brain. Voyager. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: Comdex 11/94.Currently not on view
Description
This square button has yellow and white text on a black background that reads: Bring Your Brain. Voyager. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: Comdex 11/94.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1994
ID Number
2009.3071.410
catalog number
2009.3071.410
nonaccession number
2009.3071

Button, Toshiba, Uninterruptible Power Systems

This circular button has a yellow background with black text that reads: "TOSHIBA Uninterruptible Power Systems. In the center is a black sketch like drawing of a computer tower. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: "CDX '91'.”Currently not on view
Description
This circular button has a yellow background with black text that reads: "TOSHIBA Uninterruptible Power Systems. In the center is a black sketch like drawing of a computer tower. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: "CDX '91'.”
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1991
ID Number
2009.3071.572
catalog number
2009.3071.572
nonaccession number
2009.3071

Software, Backgammon and Blackjack

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2012.3098.066
catalog number
2012.3098.066
nonaccession number
2012.3098

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