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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Transformers Computer Game
- Description
- This computer game software, for use on a Commodore 64 microcomputer, has the original box containing a 5 ¼” diskette with the “Transformer” software, an 8-page User Manual, and a brochure for productivity software by Personal Choice Software.
- The action role-playing game “Transformer” was designed by David Crane and published by Activision in 1986. It was based on the popular animated series “Transformers.”
- The game had two groups, the Decepticons, who found a way to drain the Earth’s energy supply, and the Autobots, who sought to stop them. The player controlled the Autobots and accumulated points by destroying the Decepticons as they attempted to steal resources. The Decepticons gained points for successfully stealing them. The group with the most points at the end of the game won.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1986
- maker
- Activision
- ID Number
- 2001.3063.03
- catalog number
- 2001.3063.03
- nonaccession number
- 2001.3063
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Ghostbusters Computer Game
- Description
- This 5 ¼” diskette contains the computer game software “Ghostbusters” for use on a Commodore 64 microcomputer. The action-adventure game, designed by David Crane and licensed by Activision in 1984, was based on the movie of the same name about professional exterminators on a paranormal mission. Crane completed most of the game before he watched the film.
- The object of the game was to acquire the equipment and money needed to complete the mission and began by having the player choose among four cars. At the end of a successful mission, the player received a code that allowed unspent money to carry over to the next game which accelerated progression.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1984
- Associated Name
- Lafata, Tracie
- maker
- Activision
- ID Number
- 2001.3063.01
- catalog number
- 2001.3063.01
- nonaccession number
- 2001.3063
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Gunship Computer Game
- Description
- This computer game software, for use on a Commodore 64 microcomputer, has the original box containing a 5 ¼” diskette with the “Gunship” software, an 80-page Operations Manual, a keyboard overlay, and a catalog of MicroProse products.
- The action-adventure game “Gunship” was designed by Arnold Hendrick and Andy Hollis and licensed by MicroProse in 1986. It sold for $39.95. MicroProse Software Inc. was founded in 1982 by Sid Meier (creator of the video game “Civilizations”) and Bill Stealey in Hunt Valley, MD.
- “Gunship” was a combat flight simulator video game in which the player controlled an AH-64 Apache helicopter through missions to attack enemy targets and to protect friendly forces. According to the operations manual, “Now you can experience the danger, excitement, courage, and agony of real combat helicopter flying -- without the bloodshed and suffering that occur in real warfare.”
- The program started with a one vehicle identification quiz. If answered incorrectly, the player could only fly in training mode. To start a mission the player had to decide on a duty assignment, the degree of duty hazard, and the reality level. At the pilot briefing the player received a primary and secondary mission, a password, terrain map, and an intelligence report. The player then decided whether to go on the mission or report to “Sick Call.” (Sick call put a service reprimand on the pilot’s record that affected future promotions.) After choosing armaments for the mission, the pilot could turn on the engines, engage the rotor and begin the mission. The goal was to accomplish both missions and return safely to base. The reward for a successful mission was either a promotion, a medal, or both depending on how well a mission was accomplished.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1986
- maker
- MicroProse Software, Inc.
- ID Number
- 2001.3063.02
- catalog number
- 2001.3063.02
- nonaccession number
- 2001.3063
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
The Maxell Two-Minute Warning Edition of John Madden Football computer game for IBM PC/XT/AT, PS/2 30, Tandy 4000.3000.1000 and Compaq
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1989
- ca 1988
- maker
- Electronic Arts
- ID Number
- 2015.3167.02
- catalog number
- 2015.3167.02
- nonaccession number
- 2015.3167
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Software for the VIC-20 on Disk, VIC General Ledger
- Description
- This software for the VIC-20 microcomputer is entitled VIC General Ledger and was made by Microspec. It consists of a 5"
- floppy disk and a user's guide in a 7" x 9" three-ring binder.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1983
- maker
- Microspec
- ID Number
- 1987.0249.16
- catalog number
- 1987.0249.16
- accession number
- 1987.0249
- 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
-
Software on Cassette for the VIC-20, VIC Typewriter Wordprocessor with Typing Tutor (VIC-1009)
- Description
- "The VIC Typewritter," software for the VIC-20 sold by Commodore, consists of a cassette and a instruction book in the original box.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1981
- maker
- Commodore Business Machines, Inc.
- ID Number
- 1987.0249.28
- accession number
- 1987.0249
- catalog number
- 1987.0249.28
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Software on Cassette, Mastering Your VIC-20 Through Eight Basic Projects
- Description
- "Masterihg Your VIC-20 Throughh Eight Basic Projects" by Commodore consists of two cassettes (one is missing) and an
- instruction booklet, as well as the original box. A mark on the cassette reads in part "1983."
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1983
- maker
- Commodore Business Machines, Inc.
- ID Number
- 1987.0249.36
- accession number
- 1987.0249
- catalog number
- 1987.0249.36
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Software and Documentation, Macro-Mon by Advanced Operating Systems
- Description
- This binder holds the instruction manual, 5.25" floppy disk containing the software, and registration card for the computer utility "Macro-Mon.” It was developed for the TRS-80 Model III by Jake Commander and published by Advanced Operating Systems in 1981. The manual describes the software as a “6 K machine-language utility designed to give the Z80 assembly-language programmer maximum flexibility with minimum effort."
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1981
- ID Number
- 2012.3098.002
- catalog number
- 2012.3098.002
- nonaccession number
- 2012.3098
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Software and Documentation, Armored Patrol by Adventure International
- Description
- This gaming software, Armored Patrol, was developed by Wayne Westmoreland and Terry Gilman for Adventure International, a division of Scott Adams, Inc. It was released in 1981 for the TRS-80 Model I and III. The original box holds the manual and a 5.25” floppy disk containing the software. The manual describes the game as “a realistic battle simulation that slides you into the driver's seat of a massive T-36 tank that's bristling with firepower. Your orders are to locate and destroy enemy tanks and robots which are known to frequent this particular sector."
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1981
- maker
- Adventure International
- ID Number
- 2012.3098.003
- catalog number
- 2012.3098.003
- nonaccession number
- 2012.3098
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Software and Documentation, FDM (Floppy Disk Maintenance) by Adventure International
- Description
- This software program, FDM (Floppy Disk Maintenance), was developed by All Systems Go for Adventure International, a division of Scott Adams, Inc. It was released in 1981 for the TRS-80 Model I. The software is contained on a 5.25” floppy disk and includes an instruction card and manual. The manual states that the program was “designed to enable novice users to maintain and align disk drives."
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1981
- maker
- Adventure International
- ID Number
- 2012.3098.004
- catalog number
- 2012.3098.004
- nonaccession number
- 2012.3098
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Software and Documentation, StarFighter by Adventure International
- Description
- This gaming software, StarFighter, was developed by Sparky Starks for Adventure International, a division of Scott Adams, Inc. It was released in 1981 for the TRS-80 Model I and III. The software is contained on a 5.25” floppy disk and includes an instruction booklet, registration card, and manual. The manual states that "The SC-78503 STARFIGHTER craft is the most sophisticated ship known to man. You, as its pilot, are instructed that the current state of relations with the Petro Resource Conglomerate is a state of war. As such, you are charged with ridding the galaxy of dreaded P.R.C. craft, to insure life as we know it in the Solar Galactic Authority. A STARFIGHTER tour of duty lasts anywhere from twenty minutes to six hours."
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1981
- maker
- Adventure International
- ID Number
- 2012.3098.005
- catalog number
- 2012.3098.005
- nonaccession number
- 2012.3098
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Software and Documentation, DDSD/CMD by The Alternate Source
- Description
- This software program, DDSD/CMD was developed by Allan J. Domuret and published by The Alternate Source ca. 1982 for the TRS-80. The software is contained on a 5.25” floppy disk and includes an instruction booklet and registration card. The instruction book states that "DDSD/CMD allows you to forget about PDRIVE configurations when using NEWDOS/80 Version 2.0! Set each drive configuration for double density use, then AUTO the DDSD/CMD program. Now you can switch from single density to double density as often as you like without ever having to change the PDRIVE table!"
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1982
- ID Number
- 2012.3098.006
- catalog number
- 2012.3098.006
- nonaccession number
- 2012.3098
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Software and Documentation, Pizazz Plus by Application Technique
- Description
- This software program, Pizazz Plus, was developed for IBM personal computers and was published by Application Technique, Inc. in 1988-1989. The software, designed to improve your printed images, is contained on two 5.25” floppy disks and on one 3.5" floppy disk. Included in the original box are the software disks, a user’s guide update sheet, a user’s guide readme update sheet, an envelope with the licensing agreement, and an advertisement for HP color printers. The promotional material on the box states that the software gives you a rainbow of colors, 256 shaded of gray, and that it is "The Ultimate Screen Print And Capture Software."
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1988-1989
- ID Number
- 2012.3098.007
- catalog number
- 2012.3098.007
- nonaccession number
- 2012.3098
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Software and Documentation, dBase III Plus by Ashton-Tate
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1986
- maker
- Ashton-Tate
- ID Number
- 2012.3098.008
- catalog number
- 2012.3098.008
- nonaccession number
- 2012.3098
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Software and Documentation, dBase II On-Disk Tutorial by Ashton-Tate
- Description
- This tutorial program is for Ashton-Tate’s database program dBASE II, released in 1983. The dBASE II software was an early, successful database management system. This tutorial was designed for IBM PC, PC/XT, PC/AT 3270PC and 100% compatible microcomputers. The original tri-fold folder has the installation and loading instructions printed inside, and has a pocket containing two 5.25" floppy disks and one 8” floppy disk.
- Reference:
- “PC Magazine,” June 24, 1986.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1983
- maker
- Ashton-Tate
- ID Number
- 2012.3098.009
- catalog number
- 2012.3098.009
- nonaccession number
- 2012.3098
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Software and Documentation, Framework by Ashton-Tate
- Description
- This software and documentation, Framework II, released in 1985 for IBM PCs and compatibles, was an updated version of the integrated software package by Ashton-Tate. Framework II enhancements included increased speed; improved use of random-access memory, communications functions, overall operations; and the addition of a spell checker and dictionaries.
- The original box contains six 5.25" disks, three user guides Getting Started Framework II, Learning Framework II, Using Framework II, and Advanced Topics Framework II; Customer Support Guide, Software License Agreement, three keyboard templates with a Keyboard Template guide, six labels for backup disks, and instructions for Framework Replacement Diskettes.
- Reference:
- “InfoWorld,” December 9, 1985.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1985
- maker
- Ashton-Tate
- ID Number
- 2012.3098.011
- catalog number
- 2012.3098.011
- nonaccession number
- 2012.3098
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Software and Documentation, Map-Master by Ashton-Tate
- Description
- Software and documentation for Map-Master released by Ashton-Tate in 1987. Version 6.01 was for IBM PCs and 100% compatible microcomputers. The original box contains six 5.25" disks, Map-Master User's Manual, Map-Master Quick Reference Guide, Map-Master Boundry [sic] and Statistics File Catalog, Master Graphics Installation Update, and a keyboard template.
- Ashton-Tate purchased the MAP-MASTER software from Decision Resources in Westport, Connecticut in 1986. This software allowed users to quickly and easily create full-color custom maps, by either importing data from spreadsheets or database files, entering data manually, or by using one of MAP-MASTER's statistical libraries. In 1988 this software sold for $395 (about $840 in 2019 dollars).
- References:
- “PC Magazine,” February 10, 1987
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1987
- maker
- Ashton-Tate
- ID Number
- 2012.3098.012
- catalog number
- 2012.3098.012
- nonaccession number
- 2012.3098
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Software and Documentation, Proof-Edit by Aspen Software Company
- Description
- This utility program package, Proof-Edit, was released by the Aspen Software Company in 1981 for TRS-80 Model I and III microcomputers. These programs were used in conjunction with Aspen’s Proofreader software. The main utility, Proof-Edit, allowed the user to interactively correct spelling mistakes discovered by Proofreader. The other utilities, BUILDAUX and DICTEDIT, were used to maintain the master dictionary. The package included a user manual, 5.25” disk, and a registration card. It is enclosed in a plastic bag with a price sticker of $29.95 ($83.00 in 2019 dollars).
- Reference:
- “InfoWorld,” March 8, 1982 - Advertisement
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1981
- ID Number
- 2012.3098.013
- catalog number
- 2012.3098.013
- nonaccession number
- 2012.3098
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Software, Proofreader, Dict1/Bin, Dict2/Bin by Aspen Software Company
- Description
- This software program, Proofreader, was released in 1981 by Aspen Software Company for the TRS-80 Model I microcomputer. The package includes three 5.25” disks and a registration card. It is enclosed in a plastic bag with a price sticker of $54.00 ($150 in 2019 dollars).
- Proofreader was a spellcheck program that worked with all TRS-80 operating systems and all popular CP/M word processors. An advertisement for the program in InfoWorld stated it could check a document of 20 pages or more in less than five (5) minutes.
- Reference:
- “InfoWorld,” March 8, 1982 - Advertisement
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1981
- ID Number
- 2012.3098.014
- catalog number
- 2012.3098.014
- nonaccession number
- 2012.3098
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
