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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Underwood Typewriter Key Action
- Description
- This model of an Underwood Typewriter Company typewriter key demonstrates the key and type bar action in Underwood Typewriters.
- The Underwood Company began its history as John Underwood & Company, a manufacturer of ink ribbon and carbon paper for typewriters, often supplying the Remington Typewriter Company with its ribbons. Once Remington began manufacturing its own ribbons, Underwood began producing its own typewriters as the Underwood Typewriting Company in 1895. Underwood continued manufacturing typewriters during the 20th century, also manufacturing carbines for the United States war effort during World War II.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1897
- ID Number
- ME.312110
- catalog number
- 312110
- accession number
- 161692
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
