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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Button, Advertising
- Description
- This circular button has a white background with black text that reads: "TERMINATE YOUR SNEAKER NET WITH INTO". In the center of a red circle with a diagonal red line is the black outline image of sneaker. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: "FOSE '89."
- Sneakernet is computer jargon for the method of moving electronic data by personally carrying it from one place to another on removable media such as floppy disk, compact disk, flash drive, etc. The term was coined in the early days of computing before networks were common.
- References:
- [Last accessed 2019-07-18]
- "Networking For Dummies," Lowe, Doug, 2016.
- https://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/51585/sneakernet
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- c 1989
- ID Number
- 2009.3071.622
- catalog number
- 2009.3071.622
- nonaccession number
- 2009.3071
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Button, WordStar 5.5
- Description
- This circular button has a purple background and white text that reads: Keep your hands where they belong. WORDSTAR 5.5. The reverse reads "Comdex 9/89" in black permanent ink.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- c 1989
- ID Number
- 2009.3071.635
- catalog number
- 2009.3071.635
- nonaccession number
- 2009.3071
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Button, WordStar 5.5
- Description
- This square button has a white background with an image of yellow hand pressing purple computer keys. The square red "5.5" logo has black and white squares beneath. Black text on background reads: WORDSTAR. The reverse reads: PC Expo NY 6/89.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- c 1989
- ID Number
- 2009.3071.636
- catalog number
- 2009.3071.636
- nonaccession number
- 2009.3071
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Button, Formula SCSI POWERED BY FUTURE DOMAIN
- Description
- The background of this round button has an image of a racing driver in a red Formula 1 car. White text reads: Formula SCSI POWERED BY FUTURE DOMAIN. A mark on the back reads "Networld Boston '89" in black permanent ink.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- c 1989
- ID Number
- 2009.3071.641
- catalog number
- 2009.3071.641
- nonaccession number
- 2009.3071
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Button, I've seen the Time Machine MITSUBISHI ELECTRONICS
- Description
- This round button has a white background with black text reading: I've seen the Time Machine MITSUBISHI ELECTRONICS. Also shown is a red Mitsubishi logo. The reverse reads: "CDX Spring '89" in black permanent ink.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- c 1989
- ID Number
- 2009.3071.646
- catalog number
- 2009.3071.646
- nonaccession number
- 2009.3071
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Button, MITSUBISHI MONITORS
- Description
- This rectangular button has a white background with an image of the United States made up of computer monitors, with one screen colored in blue. Blue text at the top reads: I'm one in a million! Black text along the bottom, next to a red Mitsubishi logo, reads: MITSUBISHI MONITORS. The reverse reads: "Fall CDX '88" in black permanent ink.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- c 1988
- ID Number
- 2009.3071.647
- catalog number
- 2009.3071.647
- nonaccession number
- 2009.3071
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Button, Let's Have a Blast
- Description
- This circular button has a red background with white text reading: LET'S HAVE A BLAST. The reverse reads: "Comdex 11/89" in black permanent ink. Note that the pin on the button does not have a catch, but rather extends beyond the diameter of the button, creating a sharp edge.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- c 1989
- ID Number
- 2009.3071.649
- catalog number
- 2009.3071.649
- nonaccession number
- 2009.3071
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Button, I got my ACT! together
- Description
- This circular button has a white background with blue text reading: I got my ACT! together. The reverse reads "Fall CDX '88" in black permanent ink.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- c 1988
- ID Number
- 2009.3071.650
- catalog number
- 2009.3071.650
- nonaccession number
- 2009.3071
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Symbolics Button
- Description
- This circular button has in the background an image of a bird in red, orange, yellow and blue. It wears orange and black headphones. White text across the top reads: SYMBOLICS. The reverse reads: "Siggraph '87 Anaheim" in black permanent ink. Note: the pin on the button has no catch but rather extends beyond the edge of the diameter of the button creating a sharp edge
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- c 1987
- ID Number
- 2009.3071.661
- catalog number
- 2009.3071.661
- nonaccession number
- 2009.3071
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Button, Kiss your paper files goodbye...Summit Laser Base Filing System
- Description
- This circular button has back text on a white background that reads: Kiss your paper files goodbye...Summit Laser Base Filing System. It has a pink image of a lipstick "kiss". A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: 87?
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- c 1987
- ID Number
- 2009.3071.222
- catalog number
- 2009.3071.222
- nonaccession number
- 2009.3071
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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XTree Company Button
- Description
- This circular button has grey text on a white background that reads: XTREE Company. It has a purple image of a tree. A mark on the reverse reads: PC EXPO NY 6/89.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- c 1989
- ID Number
- 2009.3071.229
- catalog number
- 2009.3071.229
- nonaccession number
- 2009.3071
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Presentation Technologies Button, Montage FR1
- Description
- This circular button has black text on a white background that reads: montage FR1. In the center it has an image of a bullet that is half gold, half rainbow colored. Above it is a black Presentation Technologies logo.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- c 1980s
- c 1988
- ID Number
- 2009.3071.242
- catalog number
- 2009.3071.242
- nonaccession number
- 2009.3071
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Nantucket Button, McMax
- Description
- This circular button has black text on a white background that reads: McMax. The word McMax has a blue underline mark below it. It has a black Nantucket logo.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- c 1989
- ID Number
- 2009.3071.246
- catalog number
- 2009.3071.246
- nonaccession number
- 2009.3071
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Proteon Button, UTP
- Description
- This circular button has blue text on a white background that reads: proteon UTP. The button is designed to look like a smiling face by using the proton logo as a hat, the letters UTP as the eyes and nose, and wires as the smile. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: Networld 9/89.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- c 1989
- ID Number
- 2009.3071.249
- catalog number
- 2009.3071.249
- nonaccession number
- 2009.3071
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Button, Stick It In Your MemoryMate
- Description
- This square button has a white border around a black background. It has a half-tone image of a person's profile and images of paper products in blue, white, and orange. Inside a white callout bubble the black text reads: Stick It In Your MemoryMate. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads:Comdex Spring '89.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- c 1989
- ID Number
- 2009.3071.209
- nonaccession number
- 2009.3071
- catalog number
- 2009.3071.209
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Caere Button, Addition
- Description
- This square button has a white background with a green border. Black text inside the border reads: Addition. Addition 1. a part added; thus increasing the number of, 2. joining of one thing to another. On the bottom left is the CAERE logo. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: Comdex 11/89.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- c 1989
- ID Number
- 2009.3071.210
- catalog number
- 2009.3071.210
- nonaccession number
- 2009.3071
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Aristocad Button, My VP can Spell!...can youres?
- Description
- This circular button has black and red text on a white background that reads: My VP can Spell!...can youres? Announcing new VP TO THE MAX with Spell Check. Another Ventura solution from Aristocad. It has a red x through the e in youres and a black Aristocad logo at the bottom. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: Fall '89.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- c 1989
- ID Number
- 2009.3071.216
- catalog number
- 2009.3071.216
- nonaccession number
- 2009.3071
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Button, Telebit!modems
- Description
- This circular button has red text on a white background that reads: telebit!modems. A mark on the reverse reads: NW Boston '89.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- c 1989
- ID Number
- 2009.3071.223
- catalog number
- 2009.3071.223
- nonaccession number
- 2009.3071
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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CYCO International Button, I'm a Happy Dealer!
- Description
- This circular button has black text on a white background that reads: I'm a Happy Dealer! It has a blue CYCO International logo in the center. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: "Comdex Spring '89.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- c 1989
- ID Number
- 2009.3071.248
- catalog number
- 2009.3071.248
- nonaccession number
- 2009.3071
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Advertising Button, Quadram, Microfazer VI
- Description
- This circular button has a white background with an image of a pig with five piglets. Below the image in black text it reads: "FOR SOME, SHARING COMES NATURALLY. OTHERS NEED MICROFAZER VI." At the bottom in blue text it reads "QUADRAM," followed by their logo. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: “ '87?"
- Quadram of Norcross, GA, was a maker of laser printers.
- Reference: [last accessed 2019-08-14]
- InfoWorld June 23, 1986, p. 42. (review of laser printers.)
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- c 1987
- ID Number
- 2009.3071.597
- catalog number
- 2009.3071.597
- nonaccession number
- 2009.3071
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
