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
429
Page 1 of 22
-
Tandy 1400 Personal Computer LT
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1987
- maker
- Tandy Corporation
- ID Number
- 2014.0090.01
- accession number
- 2014.0090
- catalog number
- 2014.0090.01
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Advertising Button, IBM
- Description
- This circular button has a white background. In the holographic image, “OEM” in red text alters with the IBM logo.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- c 1980
- maker
- IBM
- ID Number
- 2009.3071.012
- catalog number
- 2009.3071.012
- nonaccession number
- 2009.3071
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Radio Shack LCD Mini Desktop EC-2003 Electronic Calculator
- Description
- This small desktop electronic calculator has a tan and brown plastic case and an array of twenty-four square plastic keys. These include ten digit keys, a decimal point key, a total key, four arithmetic function keys, three memory keys, a clear/clear memory key, a clear entry key, a percentage key, a square root key, and an off key.
- The eight-digit LCD display is behind the keys. A mark to the right of it reads: Radio Shack (/) LCD MINI-DESKTOP.
- The back of the calculator has a battery pack at the top. A sticker in the middle reads: Radio Shack MODEL NO. (/) EC2003 (/) Uses 2 Type AA Batteries (RS Cat. No. 23-552) (/) Custom manufactured in Hong Kong for Radio Shack (/) A Div of Tandy Corp Ft. Worth TX76102.
- Compare 1986.0988.007, which sold for somewhat more.
- References:
- Radio Shack, A Tandy Company, 1983 Catalog No. 354, p. 169, accessed September 22, 2014. The price listed for the calculator is $19.95.
- Radio Shack, A Tandy Company, 1984 Catalog No. 367, p. 167, accessed September 22, 2014. The price listed for the calculator is $14.95.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1983-1984
- maker
- Tandy Corporation
- ID Number
- 1986.0988.033
- catalog number
- 1986.0988.033
- accession number
- 1986.0988
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Commodore LCD Laptop Microcomputer
- Description
- By the mid-1980s, microcomputer manufacturers envisioned small, portable versions of their machines. This prototype for a “lap computer” was developed by Commodore, a leading manufacturer of early microcomputers. The compact instrument was to have a built-in version of the programming language BASIC, 32K of random access memory, and an 80-column by 16-line liquid crystal display (this example has no display). A mark on it reads: PROTOTYPE (/) 6/85 (/) Rev. 7 (/) #5/6 KUNZ. A black cloth carrying case comes with the machine, as does an adaptor (the adaptor is 1992.0439.01.2)
- This prototype was owned by Dr. Daniel W. Kunz, Executive Director for Government Marketing at Commodore. The Commodore LCD was never released, although laptop computers became common.
- References:
- Scott Mace, “Commodore Shows New 128,” Infoworld, January 28, 1985, p. 19.
- Accession file.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1985
- maker
- Commodore Business Machines, Inc.
- ID Number
- 1992.0439.01.1
- catalog number
- 1992.0439.01.1
- accession number
- 1992.0439
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Software, Perfect Software, Inc., Perfect Writer
- Description
- This software program, Perfect Writer, released in 1982 by Perfect Software, Inc. was for Kaypro computers. The software was on four 5.25" diskettes.
- Perfect Writer was a full featured word processing program with all the standard elements. This version also provided the ability to edit documents larger than the computer's memory (up to 200 pages) by using virtual memory. Other features included the capability to restore the user's last deletion by using a recall command, form letter design tools, and the automatic generation of footnotes, indices, and table of contents. In 1982 the program sold for $389 ($1,032 in 2019 dollars).
- Reference:
- "InfoWorld," May 24, 1982, p. 7 (Advertisement)
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1982
- ID Number
- 2012.3098.048
- catalog number
- 2012.3098.048
- nonaccession number
- 2012.3098
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Button, Soaring to New Heights in Software
- Description
- This circular button has black text on a blue background that reads: Soaring to New Heights in Software. It has an image of an eagle carrying the letters BSI. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: Lou Office equip. Expo '84.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- c 1991
- c 1984
- ID Number
- 2009.3071.450
- catalog number
- 2009.3071.450
- nonaccession number
- 2009.3071
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Button, ASP, I REGISTER ASP SHAREWARE
- Description
- This circular button has a yellow background with black text that reads "I REGISTER ASP SHAREWARE In the center are two black horizontal lines with a silhouette of three computer floppy disks and the text "ASP" between them. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: "PC Expo NY 6/89."
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- c. 1989
- ID Number
- 2009.3071.553
- catalog number
- 2009.3071.553
- nonaccession number
- 2009.3071
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Novell Button, Portable Netware
- Description
- This circular button has white text on a pink background that reads: Portable Netware. At the bottom in white is the Novell logo. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: Networld Boston '89.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- c 1989
- ID Number
- 2009.3071.524
- catalog number
- 2009.3071.524
- nonaccession number
- 2009.3071
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Software
- Description
- This box contains fifteen 8" floppy disk in sleeves. Many of the disks are marked Ohio Scientific (also known as Ohio Scientific Instruments), an American computer company that was located in Hiram, Ohio. They built and sold microcomputers from 1975 to 1981.
- The disks labels are:
- Ohio Scientific CP/M V2.25, 051-01116
- Accounting System MASTER "Copy"
- Ohio Scientific C3 UTILITIES, JUL 23 1980
- Ohio Scientific DEMO DISK, JUL 23 1980
- Ohio Scientific OS-65D V3.2, 80-0776, JUL 24 1980
- Ohio Scientific OS-65D V3.2, 80-0776, JUL 24 1980 (2nd copy)
- Ohio Scientific OS-65U V1.2, LEVEL 1, 80-0757, AUG 5 1980
- Ohio Scientific OS-65U V1.2, LEVEL 1, 80-0757, AUG 5 1980 (2nd copy)
- Ohio Scientific OS-65U v1.44, CD-36/74 (FD)
- Ohio Scientific OS-65U v1.44, CD-36/74 (HD)
- Ohio Scientific OS-DMS GENERAL LEDGER, 80-0165-F, SEP 30 1980
- Ohio Scientific OS-DMS NUCLEUS, 80-0453-A, SEP 30 1980
- Ohio Scientific OS-DMS PLANNER, 80-0023, NOV 20 1980
- Ohio Scientific OS-DMS SORT, 80-0453-A, SEP 30 1980
- wp-3 Serial, SAMPLE Prototype, S TABS TABD INSERT
- Reference:
- http://www.technology.niagarac.on.ca/people/mcsele/hobby/vintage-ohio-scientific-computers/
- [Last accessed 6/12/2019]
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1980
- maker
- Ohio Scientific
- ID Number
- 2012.3098.046
- catalog number
- 2012.3098.046
- nonaccession number
- 2012.3098
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Software for the VIC-20 on Disk, Checkbook Manager
- Description
- VIC Checkbook Manager by Microspec. It consists of a 5" floppy disk and a user's guide in a 7" x 9" three-ring binder and was intended for the VIC-20 microcomputer.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1983
- maker
- Microspec
- ID Number
- 1987.0249.18
- accession number
- 1987.0249
- catalog number
- 1987.0249.18
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Hewlett-Packard HP-28S Handheld Electronic Calculator
- Description
- Hewlett-Packard launched this handheld graphing calculator a year after its HP-28C and the two devices are quite similar. The HP-28S had a larger memory, operated more rapidly, and had a subdirectory structure for variables. The case, keyboards, and display are as described for 1999.0291.01. Text above the display reads: hp HEWLETT (/) PACKARD. It also reads: 28S. Further text reads: ADVANCED (/) SCIENTIFIC CALCULATOR. Molded plastic on the back reads: [copyright mark] HEWLETT-PACKARD CO. 1986 (/) MADE IN U.S.A. 2801A04666. The first four digits of the serial number indicate that the calculator was made in the first week of 1988.
- Hewlett-Packard introduced the HP-28S at the January 1988, meeting of the American Mathematical Society, held in Atlanta, Georgia. This meeting began the centennial celebrations of the AMS. Members attending the banquet could purchase an HP-28S with their banquet ticket for an extra charge of $60 (the banquet itself cost $30, the calculator alone $235. A December 1988, article gives the price of the calculator as $165 to $239). Professor Andrew Gleason of Harvard University acquired this calculator at that banquet. A sticker on the cover of the calculator reads: AMERICAN MATHEMATICS (/) 100 (/) YEARS (/) 1888-1988.
- A spiral-bound manual received with the calculator has title Hewlett-Packard Advanced Scientific Calculator Reference Manual HP-28S. It is dated October 1987.
- The HP-28S sold into 1992.
- References:
- W.A.C. Mier-Jedrzejowicz, A Guide to HP Handheld Calculators and Computers , Tustin, California: Wilson/Burnett Publishing, 1997, pp. 84–85, 88, 133.
- David G. Hicks, The Museum of HP Calculators, http://www.hpmuseum.org/, accessed July, 2014.
- Accession file.
- P. A. Kidwell, A. Ackerberg-Hastings and D. L. Roberts, Tools of American Mathematics Teaching, Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2008, esp. pp. 307-308.
- M. Muciño, “Buyer’s Guide to Graphics Calculators,” Mathematics Teacher, vol. 81 #9, December 1988, pp. 705, 707-708.
- Ivars Peterson, “Mathematics: Calculus in the Palm of Your Hand,” Science News, vol. 133 #4, January 23, 1988, p. 62.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1988
- maker
- Hewlett-Packard Company
- ID Number
- 2012.0063.01
- accession number
- 2012.0063
- catalog number
- 2012.0063.01
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
InfoWorld Button, I've Evolved
- Description
- This circular button has blue text on a red background that reads: I've Evolved. It has a white and black InfoWorld logo. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: Comdex Spring '89.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- c 1990
- c 1989
- ID Number
- 2009.3071.457
- catalog number
- 2009.3071.457
- nonaccession number
- 2009.3071
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Advertising Button, WordPerfect
- Description
- This circular button has blue text on a white background that reads: WordPerfect Campaign 88. The button also has red stripes and stars through the middle.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- c 1988
- ID Number
- 2009.3071.034
- catalog number
- 2009.3071.034
- nonaccession number
- 2009.3071
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Wang LOCI-2 Electronic Calculator
- Description
- One of the first programmable electronic calculators, this instrument was announced in 1964 and sold from 1965. It was designed by An Wang (1920-1990) and his associates. Wang, a native of Shanghai, immigrated to the United States after World War II, studied computer science at Harvard University, and worked at the Harvard Computation Laboratory. He started his own business in 1951, producing magnetic core memories and other electronic equipment on order. The LOCI or “logarithmic calculating instrument” was the first product marketed by the company. Two versions of the machine were announced: the LOCI I, which was not programmable, and the LOCI II, which was.
- The desktop machine has nine digit keys arranged in an array, as well as a zero bar and a decimal point key. Depressing other keys changes the sign of the number, shifts the decimal point, shifts from the logarithmic to the work register, and shifts from the work to the logarithmic register. Further keys are for arithmetic operations, squares, square roots, inverse squares, inverse square roots, inverse logarithms, and clearance of various registers. To the right are controls for the decrement counter, the program counter, and the operation code. According to company advertising, the machine offers ten-digit precision in addition and subtraction and eight-digit precision in multiplication, division, exponentiation, root extraction, and logarithm computation. It has five storage registers of ten-digit capacity and a ten-digit display, plus a display for the sign of the answer. A cooling fan and a cord are at the back. The card reader attachment that plugs into the back holds program cards.
- A tag on the front of the machine reads: LOCI-2. A tag on the back reads: ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS AND DEVICES (/) LOCI II (/) MODEL NO. 2AB (/) SERIAL NO. 2734 (/) TEWKSBURY, MASS. U.S.A. A paper tag on the back of the machine indicates that it was serviced 4/28/68, 9/12/68, and 2/9/71.
- According to a 1964 flier, the machine was to sell for $4,750.00. Kenney says that the initial price was $6,500. Wang Laboratories would go on to sell the 300 series of calculators (from 1966) and the 700 series (from 1969), and to manufacture minicomputers and networked microcomputers.
- For related objects and documents, see 1980.0096.02 through 1980.0096.10.
- Compare 1980.0096.01 with the later 1983.0171.01 (a Wang Series 700 calculator), and the even later 2011.0022.01 (a Wang Series 600 calculator).
- References:
- There is an extensive discussion of the LOCI II at the website of the Old Calculator Museum. See:http://www.oldcalculatormuseum.com/wangloci.html
- Wang Laboratories, Inc., “LOCI-2 Open New Vistas to your Personal Computing . . .,” Tewksbury, Ma., 1964. This is 1980.0096.08. A similar leaflet describes the LOCI-1 and has museum number 1980.0096.07.
- Charles C. Kenney, Riding the Runaway Horse: The Rise and Decline of Wang Laboratories, Boston: Little, Brown and Co., 1992.
- date made
- 1965 or later
- date received
- 1980
- maker
- Wang Laboratories
- ID Number
- 1980.0096.01
- catalog number
- 1980.0096.01
- accession number
- 1980.0096
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Button, Quark, Do It With Style QuarkStyle
- Description
- This oval-shaped button has a gray background with green text that reads: "Do It With Style QuarkStyle.” A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: "BCS Mac Mega meeting 3/19/89.”
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- c 1989
- ID Number
- 2009.3071.592
- catalog number
- 2009.3071.592
- nonaccession number
- 2009.3071
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Button, Don't Think About Word Processing Just Write
- Description
- This circular button has white, pink and green text on a black background that reads: Don't Think About Word Processing Just Write. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: Comddex '85.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- c 1985
- ID Number
- 2009.3071.424
- catalog number
- 2009.3071.424
- nonaccession number
- 2009.3071
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Graphc Artists Guild Button
- Description
- This circular button has white text in a black circle that reads: Graphic Artists Guild. In the center is a black and white guild logo. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: SigGroup '87.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- c 1987
- ID Number
- 2009.3071.517
- catalog number
- 2009.3071.517
- nonaccession number
- 2009.3071
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Timex Sinclair 2068 Personal Computer
- Description
- Introduced in 1983 at a cost of $199.95, the Timex-Sinclair 2068 (TS 2068) was the fourth and last Sinclair personal computer sold in the US market. It followed the ZX-81 (marketed by Sinclair Research through an American branch), TS 1000, and TS 1500. It’s design also drew on Sinclair’s ZX Spectrum (the Spectrum was not marketed in the U.S.).
- The TS 2068 used a Z80 processor that ran at 3.58 MHz. Its memory included 48 KB of RAM and 24 KB of ROM. A cassette recorder was used for external storage. Like the TS 1000, the 2068 included a BASIC interpreter to run programs. Additional functions had been added to handle more complex graphic and sound commands. The TS 2068 included a sound chip and speaker at the bottom of the computer and had a range of 10 octaves and 130 semitones directly programmable from BASIC. Users could buy a TS 2040 printer that was attached to an expansion port.
- The TS 2068 was well equipped for playing games and, with the use of an appropriate cartridge, could be used with most software designed for the ZX Spectrum. The computer was generally used for entertainment, educational, and programming tutorials.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1980s
- maker
- Timex Computer Corporation
- ID Number
- 2000.0205.01
- catalog number
- 2000.0205.01
- accession number
- 2000.0205
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Computer Game on Cartridge, Pinball Spectacular
- Description
- "Pinball Spectacular," this computer game on cartridge for the VIC-20 microcomputer, is in its original box.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1982
- maker
- Commodore Business Machines, Inc.
- ID Number
- 1987.0249.47
- accession number
- 1987.0249
- catalog number
- 1987.0249.47
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Advertising Button, Mindscape
- Description
- This circular button has white and blue text and a white background. A red and blue circle is in middle of button. The button also has the Mindscape logo and five red stars.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- c 1985
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 2009.3071.032
- catalog number
- 2009.3071.032
- nonaccession number
- 2009.3071
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
Pages
Filter Your Results
Click to remove a filter:
- data source
-
topic
- Advertising 154
- Handheld Electronic Calculators 79
- Mathematics 18
- Family 16
- Social life and customs 16
- Science 14
- Amusements 4
- Desktop Electronic Calculators 4
- Gaming 3
- Women's History 3
- Animals 2
- Women Teaching Math 2
- Artifact Walls exhibit 1
- Beer & Spirits 1
- Education 1
- Exidy Sorcerer 1
- Government 1
- Lighting 1
- Macintosh 1
-
object type
- button, advertising 145
- electronic calculator 75
- Software 59
- documentation 35
- Microcomputers 32
- electronic calculator; Handheld 22
- software with documentation 18
- documentation, Commodore VIC 20 11
- Pins (fasteners) 9
- Game, Computer 8
- Pin, Button 3
- portable computer 3
- software, game 3
- Documents 2
- Photographs 2
- electronic calculator with manual 2
- software and documentation 2
- Documentation 1
- Magazines (periodicals) 1
- Paperweights 1
- date
- place
-
set name
- Computers & Business Machines 429
- Medicine and Science: Computers 423
- Advertising 154
- Handheld Electronic Calculators 79
- Family & Social Life 16
- National Museum of American History 15
- Science & Mathematics 14
- Work 11
- American Enterprise 9
- My Computing Device 5
- Desktop Electronic Calculators 4
- Medicine and Science: Mathematics 4
- Popular Entertainment 4
- Women Teaching Math 2
- Artifact Walls exhibit 1
- Government, Politics, and Reform 1
- Places of Invention 1
- Political and Military History: Political History, Campaign Collection 1
- Punch Cards 1
- Scale Rules 1
