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 circular button has green text on a purple background that reads: FOREVER MAC. Running along the border of the circle is the phrase: WORDPERFECT. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: PC Expo NY 6/92 Gift.Currently not on view
Description
This circular button has green text on a purple background that reads: FOREVER MAC. Running along the border of the circle is the phrase: WORDPERFECT. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: PC Expo NY 6/92 Gift.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1992
ID Number
2009.3071.043
catalog number
2009.3071.043
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This circular button has white text on a black background that reads: Take No Prisoners January 1989. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: T.S.- Eppley Comdex Fall '88.
Currently not on view
Description
This circular button has white text on a black background that reads: Take No Prisoners January 1989. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: T.S.- Eppley Comdex Fall '88.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1988
ID Number
2009.3071.425
catalog number
2009.3071.425
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This square button has white text in a red design on a black background that reads: SUM II. Symantec AntiVirus for Macintosh. The Norton Utilities for the Macintosh. Symantec.Currently not on view
Description
This square button has white text in a red design on a black background that reads: SUM II. Symantec AntiVirus for Macintosh. The Norton Utilities for the Macintosh. Symantec.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1990s
ID Number
2009.3071.172
catalog number
2009.3071.172
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This square-shaped button is designed to be worn as a diamond-shape.
Description
This square-shaped button is designed to be worn as a diamond-shape. It has a fluorescent orange background with purple text that reads: "WATCH YOUR LANGUAGE.” Below, in a purple rectangle with white text, it reads: "prograph.” A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: "Mac World Boston 8/90."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1990
ID Number
2009.3071.598
catalog number
2009.3071.598
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This square button has red text on a white background that reads: I'm Bar Code Ready! It has blue text that reads: ScanPAC For ACCPAC Plus. It has images of barcodes at the top and bottom and the logos for Symbol and Computer Associates.Currently not on view
Description
This square button has red text on a white background that reads: I'm Bar Code Ready! It has blue text that reads: ScanPAC For ACCPAC Plus. It has images of barcodes at the top and bottom and the logos for Symbol and Computer Associates.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1990s
ID Number
2009.3071.256
catalog number
2009.3071.256
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This circular button has white text on a red background that reads: You ought to be in pixels Computerworld.Currently not on view
Description
This circular button has white text on a red background that reads: You ought to be in pixels Computerworld.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1989?
ID Number
2009.3071.537
catalog number
2009.3071.537
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This square button has black text on an orange background that reads: SGML AT WORK. It has a black ArborText logo. A mark on the reverse reads: NetWorld 2/92.Currently not on view
Description
This square button has black text on an orange background that reads: SGML AT WORK. It has a black ArborText logo. A mark on the reverse reads: NetWorld 2/92.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1992
ID Number
2009.3071.189
catalog number
2009.3071.189
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This square button, designed to look like a 3 ½” floppy diskette, has a red background with white text that reads: "Spectrum, The Better Diskette" / Memory Media Products / Tustin, California / U.S.
Description
This square button, designed to look like a 3 ½” floppy diskette, has a red background with white text that reads: "Spectrum, The Better Diskette" / Memory Media Products / Tustin, California / U.S. 1-800-228-0438 / CA 1-800-228-9699 / EUROPE +41 22 734 73 59 / Spectrum diskettes are / made in the U.S.A.”
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c. 1989
ID Number
2009.3071.554
catalog number
2009.3071.554
nonaccession number
2009.3071
This square button has white text on a teal background with white side borders. It reads: Microsoft OS/2 NOW.Currently not on view
Description
This square button has white text on a teal background with white side borders. It reads: Microsoft OS/2 NOW.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1987
maker
IBM
ID Number
2009.3071.010
catalog number
2009.3071.010
nonaccession number
2009.3071
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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

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