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
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Lobotomy Knives
- Description (Brief)
- Doctors used these instruments to perform the lobotomy procedure on patients diagnosed with particular psychiatric conditions. The procedure was introduced in 1935 and popularized in the United States by Walter J. Freeman in the 1940s. The doctor inserted the instrument into the frontal lobe of the brain to destroy its connection with other regions.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- ca 1950
- date(s) of previous ownership
- 1986-03-04
- maker
- Ator, Henry A.
- ID Number
- 1986.0376.02
- accession number
- 1986.0376
- catalog number
- 1986.0376.02
- 1986.0376.02.A
- 1986.0376.02.B
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Office of Personnel Management Jiffy Template 203 Flowcharting Template
- Description
- This clear plastic template has eight-inch scales on the top and bottom. The top scale is divided to eighths of an inch, the bottom one to tenths of an inch. Twenty labeled flowcharting symbols are cut out of the space in between. A mark at the bottom right reads: JIFFY (/) TEMPLATE 203. A mark on the bottom left reads: Center for Information Management and Automation (/) OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT. A mark on the top right reads: Conforms to (/) ANSI (/) X3.5-1970. Distributed as a giveaway by a branch of the U.S. government’s Office of Personnel Management.
- Collected at Government Computer Expo 85 in Washington, D.C.
- References:
- Accession file.
- American National Standards Institute, Flowchart Symbols and Their Usage in Information Processing, ANSI X3.5-1970, ANSI, 1970.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1985
- ID Number
- 1985.3088.04
- nonaccession number
- 1985.3088
- catalog number
- 1985.3088.04
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Program: "JACL 60th Anniversary Program, Seattle WA, 1981"
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1981
- March 1981
- ID Number
- 2016.3086.111
- nonaccession number
- 2016.3086
- catalog number
- 2016.3086.111
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
7 Dollars, Food Coupons, United States, 1980
- Description (Brief)
- One (1) 7 dollar food coupon booklet
- United States, 1982
- Obverse Image: Left side Liberty Bell surrounded by thirteen stars, top two purple stripes, top right "United States Department of Agriculture" seal [circle with an image of wheat and star, ribbons with text]. purple printed on cream paper.
- Obverse Text: B04156779H / U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE / FOOD COUPONS / VALUE $7.00 / THIS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM. IF YOU BELIEVE THAT YOU HAVE BEEN DISCRIMINATED AGAINST BY THE FOOD STAMP PROGRAM BECAUSE OF RACE, COLOR, NATIONAL ORIGIN, SEX OR HANDICAP, WRITE IMMEDIATELY TO THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20250.
- Inside Illustration: First 2 pages in brown ink with image of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The third page is a portrait of Jefferson in blue ink. The back of each coupon is blank.
- Reverse Image: Purple ink printed on light blue paper.
- Reverse Text: USDA FOOD STAMPS HELP YOU BUY MORE NUTRITIOUS FOODS / MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR FOOD STAMPS. / TIPS FOR BUYING VEGETABLES AND FRUITS: - FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES IN SEASON ARE HIGH IN QUALITY AND OFTEN LOWER IN PRICE. / - PIECES OR CUT-UP CANNED FRUITS AND VEGETABLES COST LESS THAN WHOLE AND FANCY CANNED FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. / - FROZEN VEGETABLES FROM LARGE PLASTIC BAGS USUALLY COST LESS PER SERVING THAN THOSE FROM SMALL PACKAGES. / - LOOK FOR SPECIALS ON CANNED FRUITS AND VEGETABLES YOUR FAMILY LIKES. STOCK UP ON SPECIALS IF YOU CAN STORE THEM PROPERLY / - FRUITS AND VEGETABLES ARE HIGH IN VITAMINS AND MINERALS, ESPECIALLY VITAMINS A AND C. / WRITE FOOD STAMP, FNP, FNS , USDA , WASHINGTON, D.C. 20250 / FOR INFORMATION ON NUTRITION, MENU PLANNING, FOOD BUYING AND RECIPES.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1982
- maker
- U.S. Bank Note Company
- ID Number
- 2010.0019.025
- catalog number
- 2010.0019.025
- accession number
- 2010.0019
- serial number
- B04156779H
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
A.H. Fox Gun Co. Sterlingworth Double Barrel Break Action Shotgun
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1903 - 1930
- associated dates
- 1980 12 18 / 1980 12 18, 1985 01 29 / 1985 01 29
- ID Number
- 1995.0045.04
- catalog number
- 1995.0045.04
- accession number
- 1995.0045
- serial number
- 250813
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
George Abbot, Benny Goodman, Lillian Gish, Gene Kelly and Eugene Ormandy
- Description (Brief)
- Kennedy Center Honorees for Lifetime Achievement in the Arts: director and playwright George Abbot; musician Benny Goodman; actress Lillian Gish; actor and dancer Gene Kelly; and conductor Eugene Ormandy at the State Department, December 1982.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1982-12
- performer
- Kelly, Gene
- maker
- Walker, Diana
- ID Number
- 2003.0250.054
- catalog number
- 2003.0250.054
- accession number
- 2003.0250
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
food coupons
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1984 B
- 1984
- depicted (sitter)
- Hamilton, Alexander
- maker
- U.S. Bank Note Company
- ID Number
- 2010.0019.019
- catalog number
- 2010.0019.019
- accession number
- 2010.0019
- serial number
- E64775442W
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
1984 Cracker Jack Old Timers Baseball Classic
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1984
- affiliated institution
- Cracker Jack Old Timers Baseball Classic
- referenced
- Cracker Jack
- ID Number
- 1999.0265.088
- accession number
- 1999.0265
- catalog number
- 1999.0265.088
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
chair, side
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1967
- dates used
- 1967 - 1989
- maker
- Nakashima, George
- ID Number
- 1993.3011.01
- catalog number
- 1993.3011.01
- nonaccession number
- 1993.3011
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Mother's Day March on Washington
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1981
- associated date
- 05/10/1981 - 05/11/1981
- ID Number
- 2015.0066.11
- accession number
- 2015.0066
- catalog number
- 2015.0066.11
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Saucepan with Lid
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1974- 1986
- maker
- Revere Copper & Brass, Inc
- ID Number
- 1988.0617.04
- accession number
- 1988.0617
- catalog number
- 1988.617.04
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
button, Gallaudet University
- Description (Brief)
- Gallaudet University was founded in Washington D.C. in 1864 with the purpose of providing secondary education for students who were deaf or hard of hearing. In 1988, after intense advocacy and demonstrations by students on his behalf, I. King Jordan became the first president of Gallaudet University who was deaf or hard of hearing.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1988
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 2004.3055.17
- nonaccession number
- 2004.3055
- catalog number
- 2004.3055.17
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Carnival Mask
- Description
- This papier-mâché mask was made by Miguel Caraballo in 1985. Masks like this are typically worn by young men from the neighborhood, who don the costume of a vejigante , a character who roams the streets during Carnival, playfully scaring children and other revelers, and swatting them with vejigas (balloon-like, inflated animal bladders).
- Description (Spanish)
- Esta máscara de papel maché fue confeccionada por Miguel Caraballo en 1985.
- Para la época del carnaval, los jóvenes del barrio acostumbran disfrazarse de vejigantes con máscaras como ésta y salen a deambular por las calles asustando a los niños y concurrentes a la fiesta, dándoles palmadas con sus vejigas (vejigas de animales infladas como globos y puestas a secar).
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1985
- maker
- Caraballo, Miguel Angel
- ID Number
- 1997.0097.0002
- accession number
- 1997.0097
- catalog number
- 1997.0097.0002
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Freeman Transorbital Leucotome
- Description (Brief)
- Doctors used these instruments to perform the lobotomy procedure on patients diagnosed with particular psychiatric conditions. The procedure was introduced in 1935 and popularized in the United States by Walter J. Freeman in the 1940s. The doctor inserted the instrument into the frontal lobe of the brain to destroy its connection with other regions.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1950
- date(s) of previous ownership
- 1986-03-04
- ID Number
- 1986.0376.01
- accession number
- 1986.0376
- catalog number
- 1986.0376.01
- 1986.0376.01.A
- 1986.0376.01.B
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
50 Dollars, Food Coupons, United States, 1982
- Description (Brief)
- One (1) 50 dollar food coupon booklet
- United States, 1982
- Obverse Image: Left side Liberty Bell surrounded by thirteen stars, top two blue stripes, top right "United States Department of Agriculture" seal [circle with an image of wheat and star, ribbons with text]. Blue ink printed on cream paper.
- Obverse Text: D16451931E / U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE / FOOD COUPONS / VALUE $50.00 / THIS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM. IF YOU BELIEVE THAT YOU HAVE BEEN DISCRIMINATED AGAINST BY THE FOOD STAMP PROGRAM BECAUSE OF RACE, COLOR, NATIONAL ORIGIN, SEX OR HANDICAP, WRITE IMMEDIATELY TO THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20250.
- Inside Illustration: First five (5) pages in brown ink with image of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The 6th and 7th pages feature a portrait of Jefferson in blue ink. The 8th thru 10th pages feature a portrait of Hamilton in green ink. The back of each coupon is stamped with the word SPECIMEN.
- Reverse Image: Blue ink printed on light blue paper.
- Reverse Text: USDA FOOD STAMPS HELP YOU BUY MORE NUTRITIOUS FOODS / MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR FOOD STAMPS. / TIPS FOR BUYING VEGETABLES AND FRUITS: - FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES IN SEASON ARE HIGH IN QUALITY AND OFTEN LOWER IN PRICE. / - PIECES OR CUT-UP CANNED FRUITS AND VEGETABLES COST LESS THAN WHOLE AND FANCY CANNED FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. / - FROZEN VEGETABLES FROM LARGE PLASTIC BAGS USUALLY COST LESS PER SERVING THAN THOSE FROM SMALL PACKAGES. / - LOOK FOR SPECIALS ON CANNED FRUITS AND VEGETABLES YOUR FAMILY LIKES. STOCK UP ON SPECIALS IF YOU CAN STORE THEM PROPERLY / - FRUITS AND VEGETABLES ARE HIGH IN VITAMINS AND MINERALS, ESPECIALLY VITAMINS A AND C. / WRITE FOOD STAMP, FNP, FNS , USDA , WASHINGTON, D.C. 20250 / FOR INFORMATION ON NUTRITION, MENU PLANNING, FOOD BUYING AND RECIPES.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1982
- maker
- American Bank Note Company
- ID Number
- 2010.0019.027
- accession number
- 2010.0019
- catalog number
- 2010.0019.027
- serial number
- D16451931E
- catalog number
- 2010.0019.027
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
food coupons
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1981 A
- 1981
- depicted (sitter)
- Jefferson, Thomas
- Hamilton, Alexander
- maker
- American Bank Note Company
- ID Number
- 2010.0019.022
- serial number
- D26996159C
- accession number
- 2010.0019
- catalog number
- 2010.0019.022
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Sweet Honey in the Rock Black History Month Tour
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1989
- referenced
- Sweet Honey In The Rock
- ID Number
- 2003.3091.123
- nonaccession number
- 2003.3091
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Tea Kettle
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1974- 1986
- maker
- Revere Copper & Brass, Inc
- ID Number
- 1988.0617.62
- accession number
- 1988.0617
- catalog number
- 1988.0617.62
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
food coupons
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1983 B
- 1983
- maker
- U.S. Bank Note Company
- ID Number
- 2010.0019.030
- accession number
- 2010.0019
- catalog number
- 2010.0019.030
- serial number
- B59604670U
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
food coupons
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1981 A
- 1981
- maker
- American Bank Note Company
- ID Number
- 2010.0019.023
- accession number
- 2010.0019
- catalog number
- 2010.0019.023
- serial number
- E89998601C
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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