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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Page 1 of 112
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American Model No. 7 Typewriter
- Description
- This model number 7 typewriter was manufactured by the American Manufacturing Company of New York, New York at the Williams plant in Derby, Connecticut during the early 20th century. The American Typewriter Company was located at 265 Broadway in New York, New York, and operated from 1893 until 1915. This model 7 typewriter is a blind writer with upwards striking type mechanism and a QWERTY keyboard.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- maker
- American Typewriter Company
- ID Number
- 1982.0201.05
- accession number
- 1982.0201
- catalog number
- 1982.0201.05
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Postscript Software From Adobe Lapel Pin
- Description
- This square lapel pin has a butterfly clutch clasp. Atop the gold background is blue text reading: "POSTSCRIPT Software From Adobe. Above this is the blue and gold PostScript logo of turning pages. The reverse is of gold-colored metal and is stamped "TAIWAN;" the clasp also is of gold-colored metal.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- 2009.3071.742
- catalog number
- 2009.3071.742
- nonaccession number
- 2009.3071
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Radio Shack EC-281 Handheld Electronic Calculator
- Description
- Radio Shack introduced this handheld electronic calculator in its 1978 catalog as an “amazing low-cost scientific” device, costing only $29.95. The calculator has a tan and brown plastic case with forty-one rectangular plastic keys. These include ten digit keys, a total key, four arithmetic function keys, five memory keys, a key for powers, a pi key, and a change sign key. Further keys include EE, CN, %, inverse, and two bracket keys. Above this are natural log, log to base ten, exponent, powers of ten, square root, and squaring keys. The top row of keys has a clear/clear entry key, an arc key, a sine key, a cosine key, and a tangent key. Switches above this are for entering angles as degrees or radians and for on/off.
- Behind this is an eight-digit vacuum fluorescent display. Text above it reads: Radio Shack.
- A jack for a power adapter is along the back edge.
- At the base of the back is a compartment for four AA batteries. A sticker above this reads: CAT. NO. 65-641 (/) MODEL EC-281 (/) Radio Shack (/) A DIVISION OF TANDY CORPORATION (/) DC 6V (“AA” CELL X 4) (/) FOR 120V AC OPERATION (/) USE AC ADAPTER 14-854 (/) SERIAL NO. 023939 5A8 (/) MADE IN TAIWAN.
- The calculator has an imitation leather carrying case. Text on the front reads: Radio Shack.
- Compare to an earlier and simpler Radio Shack scientific calculator, the EC-490 (see 1986.0988.036).
- References:
- [Advertisement], Los Angeles Times, November 6, 1977, p. R2.
- [Advertisement], Los Angeles Times, June 10, 1979, p. R7. EC-281 on sale for $19.95.
- Radio Shack, A Tandy Company, 1978 Catalog No. 289, p. 147, accessed September 22, 2014, at radioshackcatalogs.com. The price listed is $29.95.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1977-1979
- maker
- Tandy Corporation
- ID Number
- 1986.0988.222
- catalog number
- 1986.0988.222
- accession number
- 1986.0988
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
AppleLink Lapel Pin
- Description
- This rectangular lapel pin has a safety clasp. The blue-black background has a gold border and gold text that reads "AppleLink," next to gold AppleLink logo of two linked hands over a rectangle outline. The reverse and the clasp are of gold-colored metal.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- 2009.3071.715
- catalog number
- 2009.3071.715
- nonaccession number
- 2009.3071
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
iTunes Gift Card
- Description
- James Klein gave his sister Katharine this iTunes gift card as a Christmas present. A large consumer of music, Katharine, and many other millennials, turned to digital files for her music collection rather than previous generations that had purchased records, tapes, and CDs.
- Distributing music through computer networks transformed the music industry. Apple Computer became the leader through its iPod media players and iTunes store. Traditional “brick and
- mortar” companies had to adapt to online shopping by creating websites and offering gift cards that could be used online as well as in stores.
- The use of gift cards began in the 1990s and took off quickly. Gift givers liked the cards because it helped them avoid gift mistakes and gift receivers enjoyed the cards because they could use the card to get what they want. Retailers liked gift cards because they lower the gift return rate, bring in additional business, and often don’t get redeemed.
- ID Number
- 2013.0230.01
- serial number
- PBH6063300000729891502
- catalog number
- 2013.0230.01
- accession number
- 2013.0230
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Button, DAT's a Winner
- Description
- This circular button has black text on a white background that reads: DAT's a Winner. It has an image of a blue rabbit running in the center and a grey WangDAT logo. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: CDX '90.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- c 1990
- ID Number
- 2009.3071.451
- catalog number
- 2009.3071.451
- nonaccession number
- 2009.3071
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Global Positioning System, Garmin GPS StreetPilot 2720
- Description
- This Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver uses information transmitted from four or more satellites in the global navigation satellite system (GNSS) to deduce its own location.
- The unit is made of gray colored plastic. It has a touch screen with four buttons (FIND, MENU, MAP, SPEAK) on the front. The back has connectors for the power and USB cords. On the bottom of the unit is the post for the dash mounting base. The car adapter power cord contains a speaker to verbally communicate directions to the user.
- Accessories include: power cord, USB connector, car adapter power cord, dash mounting base, remote control, screen cover, portable friction mount, oval backing disks for mounting base, and a setup and map data dvd. Object received in original box.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 2005
- maker
- Garmin Corporation
- ID Number
- 2016.0058.03
- accession number
- 2016.0058
- catalog number
- 2016.0058.03
- serial number
- 42639086
- model number
- 2720
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Altair 680 Kit
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1976
- maker
- Micro Instrumentation and Telemetry Systems
- ID Number
- 1990.0653.05
- catalog number
- 1990.0653.05
- accession number
- 1990.0653
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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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
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Electromechanical Computer Component, ASSC Mark I Double Throw Relay
- Description
- This is a component of the IBM Automatic Sequence Controlled Calculator (ASCC), known otherwise as the Harvard Mark I. The twelve-pole double throw relay has a single black coil and two plugs.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1944
- maker
- IBM
- Harvard University
- ID Number
- MA.324285
- accession number
- 248831
- catalog number
- 324285
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Toshiba LC-833wa Handheld Electronic Calculator
- Description
- This handheld electronic calculator also serves as an alarm clock. It has an aluminum case with plastic trim and an array of twenty-five rectangular plastic keys. These include ten digit keys, a decimal point key, a total key, four arithmetic function keys, four memory keys, a square root key, a percentage key, a change sign key, a clear key, and a clear entry key. Above the keys are an on/off switch and a switch for setting the alarm. Behind this are six buttons that relate to setting the time. Behind this is an eight-digit liquid crystal display. Below the keys a mark reads: LIQUID CRYSTAL CALCULATOR LC-833WA (/) TOSHIBA.
- A sticker on the back of the calculator reads: TOSHIBA ELECTRONIC CALCULATOR (/) LC-833WA (/) SILVER OXIDE BATTERY. It also reads: NO. D 57903 BM (/)TOKYO SHIBAURA ELECTRIC CO., LTD. JAPAN.
- The calculator has a brown plastic case with a window that reveals the display. A mark on the case reads: TOSHIBA.
- References:
- According to the www.calcuseum.com website, accessed December 3, 2014, this calculator was in production in 1978. According to the www.datamath.org website, accessed December 3, 2014, this calculator was introduced in 1978.
- [Advertisement], Los Angeles Times, November 24, 1979, p. D5. This ad shows the LC-840WA, which appears to be a slightly later model.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1978
- maker
- Tokyo Shibaura Electric Company
- ID Number
- 1986.0988.125
- accession number
- 1986.0988
- catalog number
- 1986.0988.125
- 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
-
Kingston Technology Corporation Button
- Description
- This circular button has a red image of a man’s head in front of computer equipment.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- c 1993?
- ID Number
- 2009.3071.505
- catalog number
- 2009.3071.505
- 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
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Remodel and Proload
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1979
- ID Number
- 2012.3098.080
- catalog number
- 2012.3098.080
- nonaccession number
- 2012.3098
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
The Pump Unit, 1967
- Description
- The first video games were played on this machine.
- With the use of changing screen color and moving dots, TV Game Unit #2 allowed two players to compete against each other in seven different games. These games included a variety of chase games, a target-shooting game, and games that required the wooden handle attached to the unit’s lower right hand corner (see photograph). The handle was moved up and down, like a pump, in the course of certain games. In honor of this unusual game play, TV Game Unit #2 was rechristened “The Pump Unit.”
- Baer and his team demonstrated the "Pump Unit" to Sanders senior management on June 15, 1967. The presentation was successful and now the team had a new goal: to turn this technology into a commercially viable product. After a few years and numerous test and advancements, Baer and his team delivered the “Brown Box,”[hyperlink] a prototype for the first multiplayer, multiprogram video game system. It would be licensed to Magnavox, who released the system as the Magnavox Odyssey in 1972.
- Like all the Ralph Baer prototypes, the "Pump Unit" was later used as evidence in many patent infringement cases. It still bears many of the court exhibit labels left over from these trials, as can be seen from the photograph.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1967
- patent holder
- Baer, Ralph H.
- inventor
- Baer, Ralph H.
- ID Number
- 2006.0102.03
- accession number
- 2006.0102
- catalog number
- 2006.0102.03
- 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
-
Hewlett-Packard HP-45 Handheld Electronic Calculator
- Description
- The HP-45, the successor to Hewlett-Packard’s HP-35 calculator, was also designed for scientific calculations. It has a black plastic case. Like the HP-35, it has a total of thirty-five square or rectangular plastic keys. These include ten digit keys, a decimal point key, and a summation key, all colored light gray. The four arithmetic function keys are left of the digit keys. Immediately above the digit keys are a relatively long enter key, a change sign key, an enter exponent key, and a clear x key. Above these are keys for exchange, roll down, store, recall, and percentage. Above these is a row of keys for squares, conversion to polar coordinates, and trigonometric functions. The top row of function keys is for inverses, logarithms, exponents, and fixing the output as decimal (rather than scientific) notation. A gold shift key in the upper left corner shifts the meaning of many of the keys to functions indicated in gold. In the bottom row, for example, the key for 0 becomes a key that shows the last value of x, the key for the decimal point becomes the number pi, and the key for summation becomes a key for decrement summation.
- Behind the keyboard are an on/off switch and a fifteen-character red LED display. This shows the mantissa sign, a ten-digit mantissa, a decimal point, the exponent sign and a two-digit exponent.
- A mark on the front edge of the calculator reads: hp HEWLETT•PACKARD 45.
- The back of the calculator has a plug for a three-prong power adapter, a sticker reading: PROPERTY OF (/) HAL B. BECKER, a compartment for a battery pack and four rubber feet. Another sticker reads: HEWLETT-PACKARD HP-45 INSTRUCTIONS. Text below the sticker reads: HEWLETT-PACKARD (/) 3.75V 500MW (/) MADE IN USA PATENT PENDING. A sticker inside the battery pack reads: HEWLETT-PACKARD (/) SER.NO. 1349A 37972. The letter A in the serial number indicates the calculator was made in the United States. The first four digits of the serial number suggest it was made in the forty-ninth week of 1973.
- Like the HP-35, the HP-45 performed calculations using reverse Polish notation.
- Stored with the calculator are a power adopter (2004.3053.02) a leather case (2004.3053.03), an owner’s manual (2004.3053.06), a quick reference guide (2004.3053.05), and an envelope with warranty, payment check, and receipt (2004.3053.07). These all fit in a gray molded plastic case (2004.3053.04).
- The HP-45 calculator sold from 1973 until 1975. This example was purchased in December of 1973 for $410 (including shipping).
- The donor, Hal Becker of Phoenix, purchased this calculator while working on computer data communication systems with Honeywell.
- References:
- W.A.C. Mier-Jedrzejowicz, A Guide to HP Handheld Calculators and Computers , Tustin, California: Wilson/Burnett Publishing, 1997, pp. 41–42, 123
- David G. Hicks, The Museum of HP Calculators, http://www.hpmuseum.org/, accessed July, 2014.
- Accession file.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1973
- maker
- Hewlett-Packard Company
- ID Number
- 2004.3053.01
- nonaccession number
- 2004.3053
- catalog number
- 2004.3053.01
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Summit MR 8 Handheld Electronic Calculator
- Description
- This handheld electronic calculator has a black plastic case and twenty rectangular plastic keys. The keys include ten digit keys, a decimal point key, four arithmetic function keys, a total key, a % key, a clear key, and a clear entry key. The 9 key can also be used to assure that entries have a two decimal points in the digits (as in dollars and cents). The memory key may serve for storage or accumulation. Behind the keyboard is an eight-digit red LED display. The on/off switch is right of it. A power jack and light are on the back edge. A tag on the front reads: Summit.
- A tag on the back of the calculator gives operating instructions. It reads in part: SUMMIT INTERNATIONAL CORP. (/) Serial No. MR 15708 Model MR 8 (/) Salt Lake City, Utah MANUFACTURED BY NCE NUCLEAR (/) made in U.S.A. A label attached at the top of the back reads in pen: FLASHING.
- Compare 1986.0988.072 and 1986.0988.072.
- References:
- [Advertisement], Los Angeles Times, October 21, 1973, p. D15. “New SUMMIT MR-8 Dual-memory rechargeable portable” advertised as selling for $199.95.
- [Advertisement], Chicago Tribune, December 26, 1973, p. C8. Summit MR-8 calculator on sale for $89.88, regular price $119.95.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1973
- maker
- Summit International Corporation
- ID Number
- 1986.0988.287
- catalog number
- 1986.0988.287
- accession number
- 1986.0988
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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