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

Date: 1990s

Maxiback Button, pu-kcab

This square button has black text on a white background that reads: backup with MaxiBack. The word backup is written backwards. In the center is the purple, green, and red MaxiBack logo. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: CDX '90.Currently not on view
Description
This square button has black text on a white background that reads: backup with MaxiBack. The word backup is written backwards. In the center is the purple, green, and red MaxiBack logo. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: CDX '90.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1990
ID Number
2009.3071.212
catalog number
2009.3071.212
nonaccession number
2009.3071

Button, Expervision Advantage. MLFA

This circular button has a white border with a red ring around a gold circle. In the red ring is white text that reads: Expervision Advantage. MLFA. The black text in the gold circle reads: OCR that makes the difference.Currently not on view
Description
This circular button has a white border with a red ring around a gold circle. In the red ring is white text that reads: Expervision Advantage. MLFA. The black text in the gold circle reads: OCR that makes the difference.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1992
ID Number
2009.3071.316
catalog number
2009.3071.316
nonaccession number
2009.3071

Button, How You Really Gonna Do It? Put CA-IDMS/PC To It!!

This circular button has white/blue text on a white/blue background that reads: How You Really Gonna Do It? Put CA IDMS/PC To It!!Currently not on view
Description
This circular button has white/blue text on a white/blue background that reads: How You Really Gonna Do It? Put CA IDMS/PC To It!!
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1990s
ID Number
2009.3071.330
catalog number
2009.3071.330
nonaccession number
2009.3071

Microsoft Button, Eeeek! There's a Mouse in the Box

This circular button has black text on a yellow background that reads: Eeeek! There's a Mouse in the Box. The black text along the top border reads: Free Microsoft Mouse and along the bottom border it reads: With Purchase of APPLAUSE II.
Description
This circular button has black text on a yellow background that reads: Eeeek! There's a Mouse in the Box. The black text along the top border reads: Free Microsoft Mouse and along the bottom border it reads: With Purchase of APPLAUSE II. A mark in red ink on the reverse reads: NCGA 4/91 Chicago.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1991
maker
Microsoft Corporation
ID Number
2009.3071.286
catalog number
2009.3071.286
nonaccession number
2009.3071

Advertising Button, Apple

This circular button has white text on a purple background that reads: I Saw It. I Tried It. I Want It. It has a red border, a red and yellow Newton Lightbulb logo at the top, and a solid red Apple logo at the bottom.Currently not on view
Description
This circular button has white text on a purple background that reads: I Saw It. I Tried It. I Want It. It has a red border, a red and yellow Newton Lightbulb logo at the top, and a solid red Apple logo at the bottom.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1990s
ID Number
2009.3071.175
nonaccession number
2009.3071
catalog number
2009.3071.175

Advertising Button, Intel

This circular button has blue text and logo on a white background that reads: Intel Inside. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: SPA Seattle 3/92.Currently not on view
Description
This circular button has blue text and logo on a white background that reads: Intel Inside. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: SPA Seattle 3/92.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1992
ID Number
2009.3071.101
catalog number
2009.3071.101
nonaccession number
2009.3071

Orange Kingston Technology Button, SX/Now! processor upgrade

This circular button has orange text on a blue background that reads: SX/Now! processor upgrade. Under the text in orange is the Kingston Technology Corporation logo. A mark in red ink on the reverse reads: Spring Comdex '91.Currently not on view
Description
This circular button has orange text on a blue background that reads: SX/Now! processor upgrade. Under the text in orange is the Kingston Technology Corporation logo. A mark in red ink on the reverse reads: Spring Comdex '91.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1991
ID Number
2009.3071.326
catalog number
2009.3071.326
nonaccession number
2009.3071

Magic Cap Button

This square button has black text on a white background that reads: Magic Cap. It has a blue image of a rabbit in a top hat. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: CDX 11/94.Currently not on view
Description
This square button has black text on a white background that reads: Magic Cap. It has a blue image of a rabbit in a top hat. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: CDX 11/94.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1994
ID Number
2009.3071.506
catalog number
2009.3071.506
nonaccession number
2009.3071

Advertising Button, Zenith Data Systems, eaZy PC

This circular button has black text on a yellow background that reads: EAZY. A mark in red ink on the reverse reads: Spring Comdex 91.Zenith Data Systems, of Glenview, IL, released the eaZy PC in 1987.
Description
This circular button has black text on a yellow background that reads: EAZY. A mark in red ink on the reverse reads: Spring Comdex 91.
Zenith Data Systems, of Glenview, IL, released the eaZy PC in 1987. It had a low-profile cpu and a monitor that adjusted up, down, left, and right. It came with the software installed and easy to follow setup instructions.
Reference:
PC Magazine, December 8, 1987, p. 321-338. (product review of "packaged" computers.)
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1991
ID Number
2009.3071.193
catalog number
2009.3071.193
nonaccession number
2009.3071

Advertising Button, PC Magazine

This rectangular cloth patch/tag has a red PC Magazine logo on a white background with a black text caption that reads: Nothing Comes Close. A mark on the reverse reads: CDX 4/92.Currently not on view
Description
This rectangular cloth patch/tag has a red PC Magazine logo on a white background with a black text caption that reads: Nothing Comes Close. A mark on the reverse reads: CDX 4/92.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1992
ID Number
2009.3071.106
catalog number
2009.3071.106
nonaccession number
2009.3071

NCR Lapel Pin

This rectangular lapel pin has a butterfly clutch clasp. The gray background is divided by gold lines. Gold text at the top reads: "NCR," with each letter separated by a gold line. A beige-colored rectangle with gold text reads: "3125," with image of a pen in gray and gold.
Description
This rectangular lapel pin has a butterfly clutch clasp. The gray background is divided by gold lines. Gold text at the top reads: "NCR," with each letter separated by a gold line. A beige-colored rectangle with gold text reads: "3125," with image of a pen in gray and gold. The reverse is gold-colored metal and reads: "PC '91 Expo" in red permanent ink. The reverse of an attached card has black text reading: "Union Made USA," and a mark in red permanent ink that reads: PC EXPO NY '91. The clasp is of gold-colored metal.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1991
ID Number
2009.3071.685
catalog number
2009.3071.685
nonaccession number
2009.3071

Advertising Button, Lotus, Professional Developer's Program

This circular button has white text on a maroon background that reads: Lotus Professional Developer's Program 1-800-DEV-RELS. It has a white zig-zag border. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: Groupware '93 San Jose 8/10/93.Currently not on view
Description
This circular button has white text on a maroon background that reads: Lotus Professional Developer's Program 1-800-DEV-RELS. It has a white zig-zag border. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: Groupware '93 San Jose 8/10/93.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1993
ID Number
2009.3071.125
catalog number
2009.3071.125
nonaccession number
2009.3071

Button, Management by Surfing Around

This circular button has black and red text on a white background that reads: management by SURFING around. QAW Initiative. It has an image of a man in a suit surfing.Currently not on view
Description
This circular button has black and red text on a white background that reads: management by SURFING around. QAW Initiative. It has an image of a man in a suit surfing.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1990s
ID Number
2009.3071.390
catalog number
2009.3071.390
nonaccession number
2009.3071

Advertising Button, Intel

This circular button has red text and logo on a white background that reads: Intel Inside. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: SPA Seattle 3/92.Currently not on view
Description
This circular button has red text and logo on a white background that reads: Intel Inside. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: SPA Seattle 3/92.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1992
ID Number
2009.3071.100
catalog number
2009.3071.100
nonaccession number
2009.3071

Advertising Button, PC Week

This square button has white text in black box on a white background that reads: A New Look Ahead. At the bottom is a blue and grey PC Week logo. A mark on the reverse reads: Comdex 11/92.Currently not on view
Description
This square button has white text in black box on a white background that reads: A New Look Ahead. At the bottom is a blue and grey PC Week logo. A mark on the reverse reads: Comdex 11/92.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1992
ID Number
2009.3071.109
catalog number
2009.3071.109
nonaccession number
2009.3071

Button, Claris, FileMaker Pro

This square button has a white background with black text that reads: "FileMaker Pro for Windows and Macintosh.” In the upper left corner is a blue Claris logo and in the center is an image of several file folders.
Description
This square button has a white background with black text that reads: "FileMaker Pro for Windows and Macintosh.” In the upper left corner is a blue Claris logo and in the center is an image of several file folders. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: "PC EXPO CHI 10/92."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1992
ID Number
2009.3071.548
catalog number
2009.3071.548
nonaccession number
2009.3071

Button, IT TOOK THE POWER OF AT&T TO PUT 15 PROFESSIONALS IN THIS ITTY-BITTY SOFTWARE BOX

This round button has a white background and a black circular border with white text reading: IT TOOK THE POWER OF AT&T TO PUT 15 PROFESSIONALS IN THIS ITTY-BITTY SOFTWARE BOX.
Description
This round button has a white background and a black circular border with white text reading: IT TOOK THE POWER OF AT&T TO PUT 15 PROFESSIONALS IN THIS ITTY-BITTY SOFTWARE BOX. An image in the center shows a yellow box with black text reading: AT&T MULTIMEDIA CREATION COLLECTION. There are fourteen people inside the box and one standing outside of it. The people are engaged in various different activities such as painting, filming, and playing the guitar. The reverse reads: Comdex 11/94.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1994
ID Number
2009.3071.645
catalog number
2009.3071.645
nonaccession number
2009.3071

Button, X-Lock Corporation

This circular button has a black background with a red X in the center. Black text in a white box at the top reads: 0083. At the bottom is the X Lock Corporation logo.Currently not on view
Description
This circular button has a black background with a red X in the center. Black text in a white box at the top reads: 0083. At the bottom is the X Lock Corporation logo.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1990s
ID Number
2009.3071.352
catalog number
2009.3071.352
nonaccession number
2009.3071

Western Digital Button, Accept only the finest...Caviar

This circular button has white text that reads: Accept only the finest...Caviar. It has a black box with pink and blue CD. At the bottom is a black Western Digital logo. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: Comdex 11/92.Currently not on view
Description
This circular button has white text that reads: Accept only the finest...Caviar. It has a black box with pink and blue CD. At the bottom is a black Western Digital logo. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: Comdex 11/92.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1992
ID Number
2009.3071.221
catalog number
2009.3071.221
nonaccession number
2009.3071

Microsoft Button, It's Cool!

This circular button has blue text on a white background that reads: It's Cool! Windows 3.0 Microsoft. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: Rollout 6/90".Currently not on view
Description
This circular button has blue text on a white background that reads: It's Cool! Windows 3.0 Microsoft. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: Rollout 6/90".
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1990
maker
Microsoft Corporation
ID Number
2009.3071.291
catalog number
2009.3071.291
nonaccession number
2009.3071

Button, beethoven quality. multimedia to blow your mind

This circular button has a black and grey background with yellow and white text that reads: beethoven quality. Multimedia to blow your mind. In the center is an image of a person playing piano. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: Comdex '93 L.V.Currently not on view
Description
This circular button has a black and grey background with yellow and white text that reads: beethoven quality. Multimedia to blow your mind. In the center is an image of a person playing piano. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: Comdex '93 L.V.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1993
ID Number
2009.3071.387
catalog number
2009.3071.387
nonaccession number
2009.3071

Advertising Button, Lotus

This circular button has red text on a black background that reads: LotusScript Lunatic. At the top is a red image of a lightning bolt. The red text along the bottom border reads: LotusUserGroup.org.Currently not on view
Description
This circular button has red text on a black background that reads: LotusScript Lunatic. At the top is a red image of a lightning bolt. The red text along the bottom border reads: LotusUserGroup.org.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1990s
ID Number
2009.3071.144
catalog number
2009.3071.144
nonaccession number
2009.3071

Aldus and Silicon Beach Software Button, Two Great Names...Nine Great Products

This circular button has black text on a beige background that reads: Two Great Names...Nine Great Products. The holographic image in center alternates the Aldus logo with the Silicon Beach Software logo.
Description
This circular button has black text on a beige background that reads: Two Great Names...Nine Great Products. The holographic image in center alternates the Aldus logo with the Silicon Beach Software logo. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: Seybold '90 San Jose.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1990
ID Number
2009.3071.492
catalog number
2009.3071.492
nonaccession number
2009.3071

Button, Bitstream FaceLift makes me look great!

This circular button has yellow text on a black background that reads: Bitstream FaceLift makes me look great! A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: 8/90 Windows Expo.Currently not on view
Description
This circular button has yellow text on a black background that reads: Bitstream FaceLift makes me look great! A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: 8/90 Windows Expo.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1990
ID Number
2009.3071.485
catalog number
2009.3071.485
nonaccession number
2009.3071

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