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 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
This rectangular lapel pin has a butterfly clutch clasp. The silver background underlies an image of a purple footprint as well as black text reading: AGFA. A red "Agfa" logo is in lower right-hand corner.
Description
This rectangular lapel pin has a butterfly clutch clasp. The silver background underlies an image of a purple footprint as well as black text reading: AGFA. A red "Agfa" logo is in lower right-hand corner. The reverse is silver-colored metal, printed with "ASI 52230"; the clasp is silver-colored metal.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2009.3071.679
catalog number
2009.3071.679
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This lapel pin, designed in the shape of a cell phone, has a butterfly clutch clasp. A gray front with black border surrounds a rectangular silver "screen." White text on black reads "ERICSSON" with the Ericsson logo; white text on gray at the bottom reads "T28s".
Description
This lapel pin, designed in the shape of a cell phone, has a butterfly clutch clasp. A gray front with black border surrounds a rectangular silver "screen." White text on black reads "ERICSSON" with the Ericsson logo; white text on gray at the bottom reads "T28s". Behind the gray front is black layer with an "aerial" at the top. The back side is silver-gray plastic with a clasp of gold-colored metal.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2009.3071.670
catalog number
2009.3071.670
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This rectangular lapel pin has a butterfly clutch clasp. The black background underlies silver text reading "TekColor" beneath a silver line.
Description
This rectangular lapel pin has a butterfly clutch clasp. The black background underlies silver text reading "TekColor" beneath a silver line. The central image is of a silver circle divided into four by two curved lines; the four quarter-circles are colored green, yellow, red, and gray-purple respectively. The reverse is of silver-colored metal.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2009.3071.688
catalog number
2009.3071.688
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This circular lapel pin has a butterfly clutch clasp. The black background has a gold border and white text that reads: OS/2TM. The reverse is of gold-colored metal and reads: "PC EXPO '90" in black permanent ink. The clasp is of gold-colored metal.Currently not on view
Description
This circular lapel pin has a butterfly clutch clasp. The black background has a gold border and white text that reads: OS/2TM. The reverse is of gold-colored metal and reads: "PC EXPO '90" in black permanent ink. The clasp is of gold-colored metal.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1990
ID Number
2009.3071.692
catalog number
2009.3071.692
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This circular button has blue text on a white background that reads: I'm an Init Geek and I love InitPicker. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: MW TS 8/90.Currently not on view
Description
This circular button has blue text on a white background that reads: I'm an Init Geek and I love InitPicker. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: MW TS 8/90.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1990
ID Number
2009.3071.445
catalog number
2009.3071.445
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This rectangular lapel pin has a butterfly clutch clasp. The black background has white text, underlined in blue, that reads: DaVinci. The reverse is silver-colored metal. The clasp is gold-colored metal.Currently not on view
Description
This rectangular lapel pin has a butterfly clutch clasp. The black background has white text, underlined in blue, that reads: DaVinci. The reverse is silver-colored metal. The clasp is gold-colored metal.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2009.3071.678
catalog number
2009.3071.678
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This lapel pin in the shape of a Migraph modem/scanner and has a butterfly clutch clasp. It has a gray plastic background with a black strip across the top with a black square below the strip. Three horizontal rectangles cut into plastic suggest details.
Description
This lapel pin in the shape of a Migraph modem/scanner and has a butterfly clutch clasp. It has a gray plastic background with a black strip across the top with a black square below the strip. Three horizontal rectangles cut into plastic suggest details. Blue text in the lower right-hand corner reads: MIGRAPH. The clasp is of dark gold-colored metal. A plastic bag reads "Spring Comdex '91" in red permanent ink.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1991
ID Number
2009.3071.675
catalog number
2009.3071.675
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This rectangular lapel pin has a butterfly clutch clasp. The black background has a red line and yellow strip at the top with black text reading: "FUTURE DOMAIN". Below are images of multiple cogs in a variety of colors and sizes.
Description
This rectangular lapel pin has a butterfly clutch clasp. The black background has a red line and yellow strip at the top with black text reading: "FUTURE DOMAIN". Below are images of multiple cogs in a variety of colors and sizes. Green cogs read "CAM" and "PC TOOLS" in white text. Pink cogs read "ARCSERVE" and "ASPI" and "WINDOWS" in white text. A red cog reads "DOS" in white text. An orange cog reads "Corel SCSI" in white text. A blue cog reads "CD-ROM" in white text. A yellow cog at the bottom reads "PowerSCSI! Universal Application Interface" in black text. The reverse is of silver-colored metal, marked "Comdex 11/93" in black permanent ink. The clasp is of gold-colored metal.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1993
ID Number
2009.3071.686
catalog number
2009.3071.686
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This rectangular lapel pin has a butterfly clutch clasp. The white background has black text reading "IMPROVED ESCAPE SEQUENCE" and "UNITED STATES PATENT 4,549,302". A black rectangle on the right-hand side has white text reading vertically: WITH GUARD TIME.
Description
This rectangular lapel pin has a butterfly clutch clasp. The white background has black text reading "IMPROVED ESCAPE SEQUENCE" and "UNITED STATES PATENT 4,549,302". A black rectangle on the right-hand side has white text reading vertically: WITH GUARD TIME. A red rectangle in the center has an image of part of aclock dial in white, with black and red detailing. White text on this red background reads: "Hayes" next to white Hayes logo. The reverse is gold-colored metal and reads "CDX '92" in black permanent ink . It also is stamped: UNION MADE USA. The clasp is of gold-colored metal.
Compare 2009.3071.682.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2009.3071.683
catalog number
2009.3071.683
nonaccession number
2009.3071
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
This lapel pin, in the shape of an irregular quadrilateral, has a butterfly clutch clasp. The blue background has a silver-colored border. A white stripe across the bottom has silver-colored text that reads: SQL SERVER.
Description
This lapel pin, in the shape of an irregular quadrilateral, has a butterfly clutch clasp. The blue background has a silver-colored border. A white stripe across the bottom has silver-colored text that reads: SQL SERVER. The image at the center is of a cylinder with several near-cubical segments removed and floating outside of it; some extend beyond the edge of the quadrilateral. Both the reverse and the clasp are of silver-colored metal.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2009.3071.691
catalog number
2009.3071.691
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This square lapel pin has a butterfly clutch clasp. The red background has a white border and yellow text reading: yes. Six horizontal yellow arrows at the top form larger triangle shape. The reverse and the clasp are of gold-colored metal.Currently not on view
Description
This square lapel pin has a butterfly clutch clasp. The red background has a white border and yellow text reading: yes. Six horizontal yellow arrows at the top form larger triangle shape. The reverse and the clasp are of gold-colored metal.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2009.3071.684
catalog number
2009.3071.684
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This square lapel pin has a butterfly clutch clasp. On the black background are outlines of five circles - red, yellow, gray, green, and blue. Within each circle is text matching the circle color and reading: OS/2.
Description
This square lapel pin has a butterfly clutch clasp. On the black background are outlines of five circles - red, yellow, gray, green, and blue. Within each circle is text matching the circle color and reading: OS/2. The reverse is gold-colored metal and reads "CDX 4/92" in black permanent ink. The clasp is of gold-colored metal.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1992
ID Number
2009.3071.695
catalog number
2009.3071.695
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This rhombus-shaped lapel pin has a butterfly clutch clasp. The background is blue with a gold border and white text reading: MicroDesign. An image of a hamburger extends beyond the upper edge of the rhombus.
Description
This rhombus-shaped lapel pin has a butterfly clutch clasp. The background is blue with a gold border and white text reading: MicroDesign. An image of a hamburger extends beyond the upper edge of the rhombus. The reverse is gold-colored metal and reads "CDX 11/93" in black permanent ink. The clasp is gold-colored metal.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1993
ID Number
2009.3071.690
catalog number
2009.3071.690
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This square lapel pin has a butterfly clutch clasp. On the black background are outlines of five circles in red, yellow, gray, green, and blue. Within each circle is text matching the circle color and reading: OS/2.
Description
This square lapel pin has a butterfly clutch clasp. On the black background are outlines of five circles in red, yellow, gray, green, and blue. Within each circle is text matching the circle color and reading: OS/2. The reverse is gold-colored metal and reads "CDX 4/92" in black permanent ink. The clasp is of gold-colored metal.
Compare 2009.3071.695.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2009.3071.696
catalog number
2009.3071.696
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This rectangular lapel pin has a butterfly clutch clasp. Atop the metallic yellow background is text in red reading: KENNECT. Next to this is a logo of a red circle with six black lines.
Description
This rectangular lapel pin has a butterfly clutch clasp. Atop the metallic yellow background is text in red reading: KENNECT. Next to this is a logo of a red circle with six black lines. The reverse is of patterned silver-colored metal with "NW 8/89" written on it in black permanent ink. The clasp is of silver-colored metal.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1989
ID Number
2009.3071.677
catalog number
2009.3071.677
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This rectangular lapel pin has a butterfly clutch clasp. The white background has black text reading "IMPROVED ESCAPE SEQUENCE" and "UNITED STATES PATENT 4,549,302." A black rectangle on the right-hand side has white text reading vertically: WITH GUARD TIME.
Description
This rectangular lapel pin has a butterfly clutch clasp. The white background has black text reading "IMPROVED ESCAPE SEQUENCE" and "UNITED STATES PATENT 4,549,302." A black rectangle on the right-hand side has white text reading vertically: WITH GUARD TIME. A red rectangle in the center has an image of part of a clock dial in white, with black and red detailing. White text on this red background reads: "Hayes" next toa white Hayes logo. The reverse is gold-colored metal and reads "CDX '92" in black permanent ink . It also is stamped: UNION MADE USA. The clasp is of gold-colored metal.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1992
ID Number
2009.3071.682
catalog number
2009.3071.682
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This lapel pin is shaped like a car with a cable at the rear. It has a gold-colored metal butterfly clutch clasp. The car is silver-colored with black detailing. Black-colored text reads: AUTOMAP INCORPORATED.
Description
This lapel pin is shaped like a car with a cable at the rear. It has a gold-colored metal butterfly clutch clasp. The car is silver-colored with black detailing. Black-colored text reads: AUTOMAP INCORPORATED. The reverse is black plastic and reads: "'92" in black permanent ink.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1992
ID Number
2009.3071.673
catalog number
2009.3071.673
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This rectangular lapel pin has a butterfly clutch clasp. The black background has a metallic yellow edge and underlies yellow text reading: SOFTWARE DISPATCH. At the center is an Image of a red oval, inside a yellow oval with two curved yellow arrows coming from it.
Description
This rectangular lapel pin has a butterfly clutch clasp. The black background has a metallic yellow edge and underlies yellow text reading: SOFTWARE DISPATCH. At the center is an Image of a red oval, inside a yellow oval with two curved yellow arrows coming from it. The reverse and the clasp are of silver-colored metal.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2009.3071.687
catalog number
2009.3071.687
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This rectangular lapel pin has a butterfly clutch clasp. The background is a white and gold-colored grid with gold shapes on it. A large blue "M" with gold outline is in the center; a small blue circle with gold "R"is in the lower left-hand corner.
Description
This rectangular lapel pin has a butterfly clutch clasp. The background is a white and gold-colored grid with gold shapes on it. A large blue "M" with gold outline is in the center; a small blue circle with gold "R"is in the lower left-hand corner. A red strip across the bottom has gold text reading: MICROGRAFX. The reverse is gold-colored metal marked "PX Expo NY 6/89" in black permanent ink.The clasp is gold-colored metal.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1989
ID Number
2009.3071.676
catalog number
2009.3071.676
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This rectangular lapel pin has a spring-loaded clasp. The background is green-blue with a gold border and gold underlined text reading: INTERGRAPH. The reverse is made of gold-colored metal marked "NCGA 4/91" in red permanent ink.
Description
This rectangular lapel pin has a spring-loaded clasp. The background is green-blue with a gold border and gold underlined text reading: INTERGRAPH. The reverse is made of gold-colored metal marked "NCGA 4/91" in red permanent ink. The clasp is dull gold-colored metal.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1991
ID Number
2009.3071.681
catalog number
2009.3071.681
nonaccession number
2009.3071
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.
Compare 2009.3071.693.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2009.3071.694
catalog number
2009.3071.694
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This lapel pin, in the shape of a computer monitor and keyboard, has a butterfly clutch clasp.
Description
This lapel pin, in the shape of a computer monitor and keyboard, has a butterfly clutch clasp. It is of silver-colored metal with a blue keyboard and blue and black borders around the 'screen.' Black text at the bottom reads "DATA SPEC"; purple text on the 'screen' reads "Let's Talk." The reverse reads "CDX '92" in black permanent ink. The clasp is of gold-colored metal.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1992
ID Number
2009.3071.672
catalog number
2009.3071.672
nonaccession number
2009.3071

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