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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Documentation on Stepper Motors
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- 2012.3060.35
- nonaccession number
- 2012.3060
- catalog number
- 2012.3060.35
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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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
-
Timex Sinclair 2068 Personal Computer
- Description
- Introduced in 1983 at a cost of $199.95, the Timex-Sinclair 2068 (TS 2068) was the fourth and last Sinclair personal computer sold in the US market. It followed the ZX-81 (marketed by Sinclair Research through an American branch), TS 1000, and TS 1500. It’s design also drew on Sinclair’s ZX Spectrum (the Spectrum was not marketed in the U.S.).
- The TS 2068 used a Z80 processor that ran at 3.58 MHz. Its memory included 48 KB of RAM and 24 KB of ROM. A cassette recorder was used for external storage. Like the TS 1000, the 2068 included a BASIC interpreter to run programs. Additional functions had been added to handle more complex graphic and sound commands. The TS 2068 included a sound chip and speaker at the bottom of the computer and had a range of 10 octaves and 130 semitones directly programmable from BASIC. Users could buy a TS 2040 printer that was attached to an expansion port.
- The TS 2068 was well equipped for playing games and, with the use of an appropriate cartridge, could be used with most software designed for the ZX Spectrum. The computer was generally used for entertainment, educational, and programming tutorials.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1980s
- maker
- Timex Computer Corporation
- ID Number
- 2000.0205.01
- catalog number
- 2000.0205.01
- accession number
- 2000.0205
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Math Matic 915 Handheld Electronic Calculator
- Description
- This handheld electronic calculator has a black plastic case and sixteen oval plastic keys. In addition to an array of ten digit keys and a decimal point key, it has a clear key, four function keys, and a total key, The on/off switch is to the left of the clear key. A sticker between them reads: 915. Behind the keyboard is an eight-digit red LED display.
- The back of the calculator has a battery compartment at the bottom. A sticker on the compartment door reads: BATTERY DOOR (/) PRESS HERE (/) MFG. BY (/) MATH MATIC (/) HAMDEN, CONN. (/) 06518 (/) 85939 (/) MADE IN U.S.A. A jack for a power adapter is just above the center of the back.
- The calculator has a black plastic carrying pouch.
- A December 1976, newspaper column reports that a consumer purchased two Math Matic 915 calculators in May of that year.
- Reference:
- “Helpmate,” Hammond Times, December 17, 1976, p. 41.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1976
- maker
- Macmillan Company
- ID Number
- 1986.0988.255
- catalog number
- 1986.0988.255
- accession number
- 1986.0988
- 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
-
Blickensderfer No. 5 Typewriter
- Description
- This Blickensderfer Moderl number 5 typewriter was manufactured by the Blickensderfer Manufacturing Compmany of Stamford, Connecticut between 1893 and 1896. The Blickensderfer was advertised as having one quarter of the parts that other typewriters used, allowing for easier operation, maintenance, and repair. Other features include a tabulator and a scaled with slots for carriage stops. Blickensderfer typewriters also had a patented type action using their patented “type wheel,” a metal wheel containing all the characters which would rotate and strike the paper to create the inked mark. The type wheel allowed for easier type alignment, less jamming, and an easier way to change type fonts. The simplicity of the Blickensderfer made it portable, and this model had a wooden cover with a leather handle for easy carrying. While QWERTY keyboards could be ordered, by default most Blickensderfer typewriters eschewed the QWERTY keyboard in favor of a “Scientific” keyboard that put the most used letters “D, H, I, A, T, E, N, S, O, and R” on the bottom row nearest the space bar to minimize hand movement.
- George C. Blickensderfer founded the Blickensderfer Manufacturing Company in Stamford, Connecticut in 1893. The Blickensderfer Manufacturing Company produced nine different models of typewriters, including an electric typewriter, and operated until George Blickenderfer’s death in 1917. The company was reformed as the Blick Typewriter Company for a few years before the Blickensderfer patents and designs were sold and manufactured by a variety of different companies.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1894 - 1897
- maker
- Blickensderfer Manufacturing Company
- ID Number
- ME.334777
- catalog number
- 334777
- accession number
- 314637
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Continental Specialties Corporation Test Clip
- Location
- Currently not on view
- ID Number
- 2012.3060.03
- catalog number
- 2012.3060.03
- nonaccession number
- 2012.3060
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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