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
21,486
Page 1 of 1075
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Holidays 1939-1949
- Description (Brief)
- photo album with soiled, cream colored leather cover with "Photo Album" on front and a sticker that reads "Holidays 1939-1949'; black paper pages; photographs and postcards, most adhered to page using black photo corners; travel to florida, new york; beach; Belonged to Patricia Anne Cohen, formerly actor Patricia English
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1939-1949
- ID Number
- 2017.0225.0003
- accession number
- 2017.0225
- catalog number
- 2017.0225.0003
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
certified proof
- Crowdsourcing
- Transcribed by Smithsonian digital volunteers
- Location
- Currently not on view
- plate date
- 1865-04-20
- issuing authority
- U.S. Department of the Treasury
- Treasurer of the United States
- New, John Chalfant
- Register of the Treasury
- Allison, John
- issuing bank
- United National Bank of Troy
- manufacturer
- Bureau of Engraving and Printing
- ID Number
- NU.297219.024038
- accession number
- 297219
- catalog number
- 297219.024038
- bank charter number
- 940
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Force of Evil Movie Poster
- Description (Brief)
- Poster promoting the 1948 MGM crime film noir Force of Evil starring John Garfield. The film was adapted by Abraham Polonsky and Ira Wolfert from Wolfert’s novel Tucker’s People.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1948
- producer
- MGM
- distributor
- Loew's Inc.
- associated individual
- Garfield, John
- maker
- MGM
- ID Number
- 2017.3021.028
- nonaccession number
- 2017.3021
- catalog number
- 2017.3021.028
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
“I Want to Be in Dixie”
- Description (Brief)
- This sheet music is for the song “I Want to Be in Dixie” that was written and composed by Irving Berlin and Ted Snyder. The song was published in 1912 by the Waterson, Berlin, & Snyder Company. The cover has an illustration of a man looking across a river at a low sun silhouetting a steam boat going down the river. The illustration is signed by Gene Buck in the lower left hand corner. The cover also features an inset photograph of Lillian Jeanette in the lower right, who would have performed the song in her routine.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1912
- composer
- Berlin, Irving
- Snyder, Ted
- publisher
- Ted Snyder Co.
- ID Number
- 1983.0424.075
- accession number
- 1983.0424
- catalog number
- 1983.0424.075
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
jar
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- 1979.0577.33
- accession number
- 1979.0577
- catalog number
- 1979.0577.033
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
The Municipal Law of England
- Description (Brief)
- Colored print of large tree representing "common law" growing out of "natural law" and "revealed law". The roots represent general customs, particular laws, and particular customs. It has two main branches: one commands the rights of persons and things and the other forbids public and private wrongs. A man with a pruning saw stands beside the tree.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1838
- maker
- J. H. Bufford and Company
- ID Number
- DL.60.2448
- catalog number
- 60.2448
- accession number
- 228146
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Dixie Howell
- Date made
- 1953
- thru person
- Rinsland, George
- maker
- Topps Company, Inc.
- Topps Company, Inc.
- ID Number
- CL.310547.014.068
- catalog number
- 310547.14.0068
- accession number
- 310547
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Book, Plane Geometry
- Description
- By the early twentieth century, modern textbooks had replaced Euclid as a way of studying basic plane geometry. This title was by Edward Routledge Robbins (1870-1941). A New Jersey native, Robbins graduated from Princeton University in 1894 with high honors in mathematics. He would later receive a master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania. He began his teaching career – and his textbook authorship – as a master at the Lawrenceville Seminary in New Jersey. He would continue it – and write this book – while on the faculty of the William Penn Charter School in Philadelphia. After a spell at the John Wanamaker store in New York from 1918 until 1922, he was associated with the Swarthmore Preparatory School, the schools in Jenkintown, Pa., and finally Temple University. Other textbooks he wrote concerned algebra, practical arithmetic, plane trigonometry, and solid geometry.
- A signature in the front of the book reads: N. S. Tirnbrook (/) 23rd St. Y.M.C.A. A list in pencil opposite this (inside the front cover) appears to be a list of presidents of the United States through William McKinley. There are occasional pencil markings in the text.
- Reference:
- “Edward R. Robbins: An Instructor in Mathematics at Temple University Ten Years,” New York Times, November 8, 1941, p. 19.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1906
- publisher
- American Book Company
- maker
- Robbins, Edward Rutledge
- ID Number
- 1986.3133.02
- nonaccession number
- 1986.3133
- catalog number
- 1986.3133.02
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
certified proof
- Crowdsourcing
- Transcribed by Smithsonian digital volunteers
- Location
- Currently not on view
- BEP certification date
- 1924-11-21
- plate date
- 1917-07-05
- series date
- 1902
- issuing authority
- U.S. Department of the Treasury
- Treasurer of the United States
- Burke, John
- Register of the Treasury
- Teehee, Houston Benge
- issuing bank
- Public National Bank of New York
- depicted
- McKinley, William
- manufacturer
- Bureau of Engraving and Printing
- ID Number
- NU.297219.027275
- catalog number
- 297219.027275
- accession number
- 297219
- bank charter number
- 11034
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
“Red River Valley”
- Description (Brief)
- This sheet music is for the song “Red River Valley” that was written and composed by Richard Hakins. The sheet music was published by Joe Davis Inc. of New York City in 1930. The plain white cover calls the tune a “novelty song.”
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1930
- publisher
- Joe Davis, Inc.
- ID Number
- 1983.0424.046
- accession number
- 1983.0424
- catalog number
- 1983.0424.046
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Cesar Cedeno
- date made
- 1971
- referenced
- Houston Astros
- maker
- Topps Company, Inc.
- ID Number
- 1979.0456.269
- accession number
- 1979.0456
- catalog number
- 1979.0456.269
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Ex-Lax The Chocolated Laxative
- Description
- The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: for constipation
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- after 1938
- maker
- Ex-Lax Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- MG.293320.1297
- catalog number
- 293320.1297
- accession number
- 293320
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
The Army's Made a Man Out of Me; I'm Getting Tired So I Can Sleep
- Description
side1: Staff Sgt. Ezra Stone, Cpl. Phillip Truex, and Pvt. Julie Oshens. The Army's Made a Man Out of Me; side 2: Pvt. Stuart Churchill and Soldier Octet. I'm Getting Tired So I Can Sleep (Decca 18475), from the album, Irving Berlin's All Soldier Show: This Is the Army (Decca A-340).
78 rpmThis album is from the Broadway musical This Is the Army, with book by James McColl, and music and lyrics by Irving Berlin. The musical was produced by the U. S. Army in 1942, and featured a cast of U. S. soldiers, for the benefit of the Army Relief Fund. The revue ran at the Broadway Theatre from July 4, 1942, to September 26, 1942, for 113 performances.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- recording date
- 1942
- composer
- Berlin, Irving
- manufacturer
- Decca
- ID Number
- 1988.0384.03
- accession number
- 1988.0384
- maker number
- 18475
- catalog number
- 1988.0384.03
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
certified proof
- Crowdsourcing
- Transcribed by Smithsonian digital volunteers
- Location
- Currently not on view
- BEP certification date
- 1900-06-20
- plate date
- 1881-04-15
- issuing authority
- U.S. Department of the Treasury
- Treasurer of the United States
- Gilfillan, James
- Register of the Treasury
- Scofield, Glenni William
- issuing bank
- First National Bank of Gouverneur
- manufacturer
- Bureau of Engraving and Printing
- ID Number
- NU.297219.025749
- accession number
- 297219
- catalog number
- 297219.025749
- bank charter number
- 2510
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Mentor
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- 1985.0504.10
- accession number
- 1985.0504
- catalog number
- 1985.0504.10
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Overture; I Left My Heart at the Stage Door Canteen
- Description
side1: All Soldier Orchestra and Chorus. Overture; side 2: Cpl. Earl Oxford and Soldier Chorus. I Left My Heart at the Stage Door Canteen (Decca 18474), from the album, Irving Berlin's All Soldier Show: This Is the Army (Decca A-340).
78 rpm.This album is for the Broadway musical This Is the Army, with book by James McColl, and music and lyrics by Irving Berlin. The musical was produced by the U. S. Army in 1942, and featured a cast of U. S. soldiers, for the benefit of the Army Relief Fund. The revue ran at the Broadway Theatre from July 4, 1942, to September 26, 1942, for 113 performances.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- recording date
- 1942
- composer
- Berlin, Irving
- manufacturer
- Decca
- ID Number
- 1988.0384.02
- accession number
- 1988.0384
- maker number
- 18474
- catalog number
- 1988.0384.02
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Elizabeth Arden Blue Grass Flower Mist
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1965
- product launch
- 1934
- product relaunch
- 1989
- maker
- Elizabeth Arden Inc.
- ID Number
- 2009.3030.06
- nonaccession number
- 2009.3030
- catalog number
- 2009.3030.06
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Portrait miniature of L. Elizabeth P. Griggs
- Description
- Large-format, oval, three-quarter length portrait of a woman with blue eyes and gray hair standing three-quarters to the left in a landscape with low wall and large tree, as she turns her head and looks right. Yellow, low-necked, sloped-waist gown with white lace blouson front is embellished with a peach-colored rose; a gauzy white shawl or wrap is draped around her waist and arms. No jewelry. Light is from front left. Signed at right. Housing includes a shallow convex lens, chased bezel, and flat case with ball post-and-ring hanger; case reverse is engraved "L. Elizabeth P. Griggs / 1904." and struck "THEODORE B STARR (arched) / STERLING" at bottom. Hangs in a red velvet-covered display frame fitted to hold eight miniatures, 1989.0343.16-.23.
- Artist is Isabelle Victoria Hayward (1868-1967) of New York, NY, and Paterson (Manchester), Passaic, NJ.
- Case retailed by Theodore B. Starr of New York, NY; business was founded by Starr (1837-1907) in 1877 as successor firm of Marcus & Starr, was then incorporated by his sons in 1907 and purchased by Reed & Barton in 1918, who used the Starr name until circa 1924.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1904
- case maker; retailer
- Starr, Theodore B.
- ID Number
- 1989.0343.20
- catalog number
- 1989.0343.20
- accession number
- 1989.0343
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
"I'll Still Belong To You"
- Description
- This sheet music is for the song “I’ll Still Belong To You,” with music by Nacio Herb Brown and lyrics by Edward Eliscu. It was published by Radio Music Co., Inc. in New York, New York in 1930. The song was featured in the 1930 Samuel Goldwyn Productions/United Artists Pre-Code musical comedy film Whoopee!, directed by Thornton Freeland and starred Eddie Cantor, Ethel Shutta, Pail Gregory, and Eleanor Hunt. The cover features an image of American performer, comedian, dancer, singer, actor, and songwriter Eddie Cantor.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- publishing date
- 1930
- depicted (sitter)
- Cantor, Eddie
- publisher
- Radio Music Company Inc.
- ID Number
- 1985.0874.09
- accession number
- 1985.0874
- catalog number
- 1985.0874.09
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
certified proof
- Crowdsourcing
- Transcribed by Smithsonian digital volunteers
- Location
- Currently not on view
- plate date
- 1873-02-15
- Treasurer of the United States
- New, John Chalfant
- Register of the Treasury
- Allison, John
- issuing bank
- Citizens National Bank of the City of Yonkers
- issuing authority
- U.S. Department of the Treasury
- manufacturer
- Bureau of Engraving and Printing
- ID Number
- NU.297219.025498
- accession number
- 297219
- catalog number
- 297219.025498
- bank charter number
- 2074
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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