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
29
Page 1 of 2
-
Remington Rand Univac Minimum Latency Calculator Slide Rule
- Description
- This circular device was an aid to programming the UNIVAC solid state computer. It consists of a paper disc, with equal divisions running from 1 to 200 near the edge, and a clear plastic rotating disc. These are pivoted together at the center. The upper disc is marked in red with two perpendicular diameters. The lower disc is marked: MINIMUM LATENCY CALCULATOR FOR THE UNIVAC SOLID-STATE COMPUTER. The UNIVAC had a magnetic storage drum on which locations were specified numerically. The latency calculator allowed programmers to write code for the machine to make the most efficient possible use of the drum memory.
- The back of the instrument gives a list of instruction codes and corresponding execution times for words. It is marked: Remington Rand Univac. It is also marked: U1767 Rev. 1 PRINTED (/) IN (/) U.S.A. The rule was received in a paper bag.
- Reference: Sperry Rand Corporation, Simple Transition to Electronic Processing, UNIVAC Solid-State 80, (1960), 18–26.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- after 1950
- maker
- Remington Rand Univac
- ID Number
- 2005.0271.01
- accession number
- 2005.0271
- catalog number
- 2005.0271.01
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Sheet, Aging Trial Balances Without Any Change in the Sequence of Cards
- Description
- This sheet, number 84 of Remington Rand's "Tabulating Tips," describes ways of preparing reports with punch card machine based on the date of entry of each item without resorting the punch cards into "age" sequence. It has Remington Rand number TM 820.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1950s
- Maker
- Remington Rand
- ID Number
- 1997.3012.02.09
- nonaccession number
- 1997.3012
- catalog number
- 1997.3012.02.09
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Box of American Lead Pencil Co. Venus Pencils and Eraser
- Description
- This set of four short (less than 3-1/2") wood and graphite pencils is in a rectangular white cardboard box. The pencils are marked: VENUS AMERICAN (/) PENCIL CO. N.Y. They are also marked with the hardness of their leads: HB, B, F, 4H. These correspond to a chart of lead hardnesses that is on the top of the box. The chart is marked: "VENUS" PERFECT PENCILS: (/) Made in 17 Black and 2 Copying Degrees: (/) each degree guaranteed never to vary. (/) London. AMERICAN PENCIL CO., New York. Empty space in the box suggests it originally held five pencils.
- The box also holds a 1" white rubber eraser marked: VENUS (/) AMERICAN PENCIL CO. (/) NEW YORK (/) No100. Next to the eraser is a 2-1/2" square wooden dowel covered in white paper marked: ←—— This Is The New VENUS ERASER Try It. The inside of the box lid has an advertisement for the eraser, which came in twelve sizes, ranging from four pieces in one box to 100 pieces in one box. The presence of the eraser suggests that this set was made after MA.330191.
- The American Lead Pencil Company began operating in New York City around 1861 and started to manufacture the Venus line of drawing pencils in 1905. By 1939 the firm was advertising itself as the American Pencil Co. Various retailers in the United States, including Keuffel & Esser and the Eugene Dietzgen Co., offered the Venus line from the 1930s to the 1960s. In 1956 American Pencil Co. changed its name to Venus Pen and Pencil to reflect its popular brand. Faber-Castell USA purchased the firm in 1973.
- The owner of these pencils, Mendel Lazear Peterson (1918–2003), earned degrees from the University of Southern Mississippi and Vanderbilt University. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1943 and served in the Pacific theater, where he developed an interest in underwater archaeology. He remained in the service after World War II. From 1958 to 1973, he was a Smithsonian curator in historic archaeology and armed forces history. He likely acquired the pencils during his military career.
- References: D. B. Smith, "Venus Drawing Pencil," http://leadholder.com/wood-venus.html; Bart Barnes, "Smithsonian's Mendel Peterson Dies," Washington Post, August 28, 2003.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1939-1956
- maker
- American Lead Pencil Company
- ID Number
- MA.330192
- accession number
- 288888
- catalog number
- 330192
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Leaflet, The Remington Rand Bin File Accounting Plan for Wholesale Drug Distributors
- Description
- This mid-twentieth century illustrated leaflet describes the use of punch card equipment by wholesale drug dealers. It has Remington Rand form number TM-883.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1950s
- author
- Remington Rand
- ID Number
- 1997.3012.02.06
- nonaccession number
- 1997.3012
- catalog number
- 1997.3012.02.06
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Wizard Calculating Machine
- Description
- This notched band adder has nine bands, eight bracket-shaped columns, and nine display windows. It has a black plastic back, a metal cover plate, and a metal stylus. A zeroing bar is across the top. The stylus fits on the side. There are two rows of numbers alongside the columns, one for addition and one for subtraction. There are no numbers along the extreme edges of the columns on either side. The machine was imported from West Germany.
- Compare to 1980.0787.01 and 2013.0197.01.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1955
- distributor
- Thoresen, Inc.
- ID Number
- MA.336448
- accession number
- 1977.1159
- catalog number
- 336448
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Book, Methods of Operations Research
- Description
- This pioneering textbook on operations research was coauthored by Philip M. Morse (1903-1985), a professor of physics at M.I.T., and quantum chemist George E. Kimball (1906-1967), who also was on the faculty there. During World War II the two men worked for the U.S. Navy on a project relating to the mathematical analysis of Nazi U--boat operations. After the war, they envisioned a more general theory of mathematical analysis of industrial, governmental, and military operations, which is presented here.
- This copy of the book is from the personal library of William F. Eberth (1905-1976), who spent fifteen years of his career with the Atomic Energy Commission working in South Africa. The copy is not annotated.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1951
- maker
- Morse , Philip M.
- Kimball, George E.
- ID Number
- MA.319872.10
- accession number
- 1975319872
- catalog number
- 319872.10
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Pamphlet, Accounts Receivable with Remington Rand Punched-Card Accounting Machines
- Description
- This illustrated pamphlet describes accounting uses of Remington Rand punch card machines. It has Remington Rand form number SPTM 100.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1950s
- author
- Remington Rand
- ID Number
- 1997.3012.02.01
- nonaccession number
- 1997.3012
- catalog number
- 1997.3012.02.01
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Leaflet, Fast, Integrated System for Wholesale Grocers
- Description
- This leaflet describes the advantages of Remington RandUnivac Punched dard accounting for wholesale grocers. It has form number U745 (TM745A).
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1958
- author
- Remington Rand Univac. Division of Sperry Rand
- ID Number
- 1997.3012.04.33
- catalog number
- 1997.3012.04.33
- nonaccession number
- 1997.3012
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Leaflet, Profitable Accounting for Gordons Transports Inc. Remington Rand Punched Card Methods
- Description
- This leaflet describes the use of punch card methods at the trucking firm of Gordons Transports, Inc., of Memphis, Tennesee. It has Remington Rand form number TM 947.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1955
- author
- Remington Rand
- ID Number
- 1997.3012.02.05
- nonaccession number
- 1997.3012
- catalog number
- 1997.3012.02.05
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Leaflet, Accounts Receivable with Remington Rand Punched Card Methods
- Description
- This mid-twentieth century illustrated leaflet describes uses of Remington Rand punch cards for reference, with related equipment. It has Remington Rand number TM922.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1950s
- author
- Remington Rand
- ID Number
- 1997.3012.02.07
- nonaccession number
- 1997.3012
- catalog number
- 1997.3012.02.07
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Charles Bruning 2401 Simplex Slide Rule
- Description
- This one-sided, five-inch white molded plastic linear slide rule has a glass indicator with a metal frame. The top edge is beveled and has a 12.5 cm scale, divided to millimeters. The top of the base has an A scale and is marked: CHARLES BRUNING CO. It is also marked: MADE IN U.S.A. The slide has B, CI, and C scales on one side and S, L, and T scales on the other side. The left end of the front of the slide is marked: 2401. The bottom edge of the rule is beveled and has a five-inch scale, divided to 32nds of an inch. Three screws on the back of the rule permit the top of the base to be adjusted.
- The instrument fits in a brown leather sleeve, which in turn fits in a red cardboard box. The box is marked: BRUNING (/) [Bruning logo of CB inside a diamond] (/) CHARLES BRUNING COMPANY, INC. A slip of paper inside the box advertises a magnifier that could be ordered for 60 cents from any of fourteen Bruning branch offices located across the United States. For an instruction manual received with the instrument, see 1991.0445.03.01.
- Charles Bruning (1866–1931) was born in Denmark and immigrated to the United States. In Chicago during the 1890s, he became interested in the blueprint business. In 1897 he set up his own blueprinting company in Manhattan, which was incorporated at the New York Blue Print Paper Company in 1901. Around 1920 he purchased American Blue Print Company of Chicago, and the combined firms became known as the Charles Bruning Company, Inc. The company's 1921 catalog lists eleven slide rules, although it is unclear whether any of these were actually manufactured by Bruning. By 1936 a new system of numbering was introduced. It assigned different model numbers to slide rules sold with different types of cases. This increased the number of model numbers to 14, but only 8 of these appear to be distinct. By 1952 most slide rules sold by Bruning were all-metal slide rules manufactured by Pickett & Eckel. This all-plastic rule is an exception.
- The instruction manual was copyrighted in 1944. This model is not shown in the 1939 Bruning catalog. By 1952 the indicator was of a different form. Hence, this rule likely dates from 1944 to 1951. The Charles Bruning Company merged with the Addressograph-Multigraph Corporation in 1963.
- References: New York Blue Print Paper Company, Catalog (New York, 1921), 155–157; "Charles Bruning," New York Times (January 31, 1931), 14; Charles Bruning Company, Inc., General Catalog (New York, 1936), 130–134; Charles Bruning Company, Inc., General Catalog (New York, 1939), 146–152; Charles Bruning Company, Inc., General Catalog (Teterboro, N.J. and Chicago, 1952), 121.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1944-1951
- maker
- Charles Bruning Company
- ID Number
- 1991.0445.03
- accession number
- 1991.0445
- catalog number
- 1991.0445.03
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Leaflet, More More More How to Get More from the Punched-card Method with Modern Remington Rand Machines
- Description
- This illustrated leaflet describes a range of Remington Rand Univac machines, including the UNIVAC II and UNIVAC 1105 computers. It has form number U930 Rev. 1.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1958
- author
- Remington Rand Univac. Division of Sperry Rand
- ID Number
- 1997.3012.04.26
- catalog number
- 1997.3012.04.26
- nonaccession number
- 1997.3012
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Group of Three Eagle Pencil Company Drawing Leads
- Description
- Two of these leads are 5-1/8" in length and are marked: SSWS MADE U.S.A. U.S. PAT. 1,832,654 (/) 3H EAGLE TURQUOISE ® ELECTRONIC 3H. One lead is 4" long and marked: SSWS MADE U.S.A. U.S. PAT. 1,832,654 (/) 2H EAGLE TURQUOISE ® ELECTRONIC 2H.
- Adolf Pischel of New York City and Paul Pischel of London, England, applied in Germany in 1928 and in the United States in 1929 for patents on a process that made a plastic from "earthy matter," graphite, and Turkey red oil, forming the plastic into pencil leads. They assigned their U.S. patent to the Eagle Pencil Company.
- German immigrant Heinrich Berolzheimer opened Eagle Pencil Company as a pencil shop in New York City in 1856, with a factory in Yonkers. By 1880, the firm made mechanical pencils as well as pens and erasers. Its Turquoise line of drawing leads was widely sold in the first half of the 20th century. In 1969 the company changed its name to Berol Corporation, and the Empire Pencil Corporation purchased it in 1986.
- These objects were received and are stored with a set of drawing instruments, 1985.0909.01. The set was owned by Harald Trap Friis (1893–1976), a Danish emigrant who became a prominent radio engineer for Bell Labs.
- Reference: Adolf Pischel and Paul Pischel, "Process for Manufacturing Rods from Plastic Materials" (U.S. Patent 1,832,654 issued November 17, 1931).
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1929-1958
- maker
- Eagle Pencil Company
- ID Number
- 1985.0909.04
- accession number
- 1985.0909
- catalog number
- 1985.0909.04
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Book, The Compleat Strategyst
- Description
- Astronomer and mathematician John D. Williams (1909-1964) wrote this illustrated “primer on the theory of games of strategy” while working as a mathematician for the RAND Corporation . It is intended as an introduction to game theory and conflict resolution..
- This copy of the book is from the personal library of William F. Eberth (1905-1976), who spent fifteen years of his career with the Atomic Energy Commission working in South Africa. Through the first eleven chapters of the book, certain passages are underlined.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1954
- maker
- Williams, J. D.
- ID Number
- MA.319872.12
- accession number
- 1975319872
- catalog number
- 319872.12
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Pamphlet, Piecework Payroll with Remington Rand Punched-Card Accounting Machines
- Description
- This mid-twentieth century stapled pamphlet describes the use of Remington Rand punched card methods in payroll accounting. It has Remington Rand form number SP-TM 4218.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1952
- author
- Remington Rand
- ID Number
- 1997.3012.02.04
- nonaccession number
- 1997.3012
- catalog number
- 1997.3012.02.04
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Book, Tables for Statisticians
- Description
- This well-worn paperback book of statistical tables was prepared by Herbert Arkin (1906-2000) and Raymond R. Colton (1910-1998), both of the College of the City of New York. It is part of the “College Outline Series: issued by Barnes & Noble, Inc., of New York.
- This example of the publication was owned by the German- American statistician, mathematician and computer pioneer Carl Hammer (1914-2004).
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1950
- maker
- Arkin, Herbert
- Colton, Raymond R.
- ID Number
- 1988.3105.25
- nonaccession number
- 1988.3105
- catalog number
- 1988.3105.25
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Psychological Test Score Sheet, Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale Record Form
- Description
- This test is entitled “WAIS Record Form.” It was copyrighted in 1947 and 1955 by the Psychological Corporation in NYC. The record blank includes a table of scaled score equivalents and a summary section, as well as space to record information on the following topics: information, comprehension, arithmetic, similarities, digit span, vocabulary, picture completion, block design, picture arrangement, and object assembly.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1955
- author
- The Psychological Corporation
- ID Number
- 1979.3064.03
- catalog number
- 1979.3064.03
- nonaccession number
- 1979.3064
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Toy, The Little Bandit
- Description
- Throughout much of the nineteenth and twentieth century, gambling was illegal in many American states. However, entrepreneurs developed ways of selling games of chance. For example, Indiana-born games salesman and real estate developer Edwin S. Lowe of New York City and later Long Island developed a form of Lotto (played as Beano and then Bingo) and of the slot machine that were played in the home. This is an example of Lowe’s game “The Little Bandit” which had the form and some of the features of a slot machine.
- The plastic toy has three wheels carrying various images printed on paper. These rotate in one direction when a metal lever on the side moves forward and in the reverse direction when the lever moves back. Different final arrays of images are worth different numbers of points. The machine can be played in the form of solitaire, in which the number of points accumulated in twenty-five spins must be above a given total (25, according to the instructions). One also may play with competing players. A leaflet of instructions and the toy fit in a cardboard box.
- A mark on the back of the toy reads: LITTLE BANDIT (/) PAT. PEND (/) E.S. LOWE CO., INC. (/) NEW YORK MADE IN USA. A mark on the front of the box reads: THE LITTLE BANDIT (/) TRADEMARK. Another mark there reads: WATCH (/) “EM SPIN (/) PAYS OFF (/) IN (/) FUN. A third mark there reads: No. 25 (/) SLOT (/) MACHINE.
- E. S. Lowe Company proved more successful with sales of Bingo and of the game of Yahtzee. Milton Bradley acquired the firm in 1973.
- References:
- W. Ecenbarger, “Bingo!” Chicago Tribune, February 15, 1987, p. D1, D10.
- Art Harris, “Appreciation: The Bingo Baron Edwin Lowe, a True Gamesman,” Washington Post, February 28, 1986, p. C1.
- E.S. Lowe Company Inc. Advertisement. The Billboard 11 Nov. 1950.Vol. 62 No. 45: 70.
- E.S. Lowe Company Inc. Advertisement. The Billboard 19 May 1951. Vol. 63 No. 20: 74.
- E.S. Lowe Company Inc. Advertisement. The Billboard 26 May 1951. Vol. 63 No. 21: 72.
- E.S. Lowe Company Inc. Advertisement. The L.A. Times 11 Nov. 1951.
- “Merchandise Topics,” The Billboard, May 26, 1951, p. 72. This article notes that The Little Bandit was then for sale.
- L. Vangelder, “From Game Boards to Show Business,” New York Times, September 20, 1981, p. 132.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1952
- ID Number
- MA.335282
- catalog number
- 335282
- accession number
- 314637
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Pamphlet, Accounts Payable with Remington Rand Punched-Card Methods
- Description
- This illustrated, stapled pamphlet describes methods of processing accounts payable without and with tabulating machines. It has Remington Rand Univac number U4146 (SPTM4146.1).
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- late 1950s
- author
- Remington Rand Univac. Division of Sperry Rand
- ID Number
- 1997.3012.04.02
- nonaccession number
- 1997.3012
- catalog number
- 1997.3012.04.02
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Fairchild Dip Pen with Esterbrook 794 Nib
- Description
- This 7-1/8" pen has a steel nib, ornate gold-colored metal grip, and ridged white mother-of-pearl handle. The nib is marked: 794 (/) R. ESTERBROOK (/) MODIFIED SL[ANT]. The grip is marked: FAIRCHILD. A wooden case has rounded corners and brass hook-and-eye latches. The case is covered with black leather and lined with blue paper.
- Richard Esterbrook moved from England to the United States in the 1850s and opened a factory to pens in Camden, N.J., around 1860. The company also made pen nibs, probably beginning around 1920, when it expanded into fountain pens. Venus Pen and Pencil, formerly the American Lead Pencil Co., purchased Esterbrook in 1967. Leroy W. Fairchild began making fountain pen nibs in New York City between 1837 and 1843. After the firm experienced bankruptcy, it reorganized in 1897 and began to sell fountain pens. In the 20th century, the company also offered dip pens.
- Frank Terlitzky (1885–1962), who owned this pen, emigrated from Russia in 1906 and settled in Baltimore, where he and his wife worked as caterers.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1920-1958 (nibs)
- ca 1920-1958 (nib)
- ca 1920-1958
- maker
- Leroy W. Fairchild
- Esterbrook Pen Company
- ID Number
- MA.314804
- accession number
- 210144
- catalog number
- 314804
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
Pages
Filter Your Results
Click to remove a filter:
- data source
-
topic
- Tabulating Equipment 14
- Science 10
- Rule, Calculating 4
- Slide Rules 4
- Computers & Business Machines 3
- Pens and Pencils 3
- writing implements 3
- Mathematical Recreations 2
- Adder 1
- Adding Machines 1
- Arithmetic Teaching 1
- Drafting, Engineering 1
- Drawing Instruments 1
- Education 1
- Learning Arithmetic 1
- Mathematical Charts and Tables 1
- Promotional Item 1
- Psychology 1
- Toys 1
- object type
- place
- set name
