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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Pamphlet, SEAC National Bureau of Standards Eastern Automatic Computer
- Description
- According to the title page, this is "a brief description of SEAC on its dedication and demonstration and of the computer program at the National Bureau of Standards."
- The document is associated with Margaret Fox.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1950
- maker
- National Bureau of Standards
- ID Number
- 2013.3034.16
- nonaccession number
- 2013.3034
- catalog number
- 2013.3034.16
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Badge, 1985 Federal Office Automation Conference
- Description
- This is a badge for Tom Chase, head conservator of the Freer Gallery of Art, admitting him to the Federal Office Automation Conference on October 30, 1985. The plastic badge is attached to a paper card giving further details.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 2000
- 2001
- 1985
- maker
- Christian Register
- ID Number
- 2011.3014.04
- nonaccession number
- 2011.3014
- catalog number
- 2011.3014.04
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Mainframe Computer Component, Magnetic Wire Cartridge for the DYSEAC
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1960
- maker
- National Bureau of Standards
- ID Number
- 2013.0084.03
- accession number
- 2013.0084
- catalog number
- 2013.0084.03
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Library of Congress Punch Card
- Description
- The late 1960s were a time of rapid change in processes for cataloging and circulating books at the U.S. Library of Congress. Computers were introduced for preparing cataloging records for libraries across the nation and for tracking and distributing books sent out on interlibrary loan. This is one card used in the process. It relates to a volume entitled Apparatus and Experiment SD Int. by Weiss, which had call number QP461 W4 1916. It was checked out on 12-22-72 to Borrower OS500. A mark on the bottom edge of the card reads: HP/ECC-1294-0.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1972
- 1972
- date made
- 1972
- maker
- Library of Congress
- ID Number
- 2002.3058.02
- nonaccession number
- 2002.3058
- catalog number
- 2002.3058.02
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Software, Misosys Disassembler 1.2
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1979
- ID Number
- 2012.3098.079
- catalog number
- 2012.3098.079
- nonaccession number
- 2012.3098
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Software, Star War and Lunar Lander Computer Games
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1979
- ID Number
- 2012.3098.094
- catalog number
- 2012.3098.094
- nonaccession number
- 2012.3098
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Certificate of Appreciation for Those Working on a Y2K Project
- Description
- This computer-generated sheet acknowledges the contribution of an employee of the Food and Nutrition Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture to exterminating the Y2k "bug." It is signed by George A. Braley and Janice G. Lilja, and was given to the museum by Lilja.
- For related objects, see 2016.0138.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 2000
- ID Number
- 2016.3118.01
- catalog number
- 2016.3118.01
- nonaccession number
- 2016.3118
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Software, Alien Invasion Computer Game
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1979
- ID Number
- 2012.3098.089
- catalog number
- 2012.3098.089
- nonaccession number
- 2012.3098
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Library of Congress Punch Card
- Description
- The late 1960s and early 1970s were a time of rapid change in processes for cataloging and circulating books at the U.S. Library of Congress. Computers were introduced for preparing cataloging records for libraries across the nation, and for tracking and distributing books sent out on interlibrary loan. This is one card used in the process. It relates to a volume entitled Western Electric Co Info Care 3A Audio that had call No. RF151 WF. It was checked out on 12-12-72 to borrower OS500. A mark on the bottom edge of the card reads: HP/ECC-1294-0.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1972
- maker
- Library of Congress
- ID Number
- 2002.3058.03
- nonaccession number
- 2002.3058
- catalog number
- 2002.3058.03
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Library of Congress Punch Card
- Description
- The late 1960s and early 1970s were a time of rapid change in processes for cataloging and circulating books at the U.S. Library of Congress. Computers were introduced for preparing cataloging records for libraries across the nation, and for tracking and distributing books sent out on interlibrary loan.This is one card used in the process. It relates to a volume entitled Western Electric Co Info Care 1A Audiometer that had call number RF151 W21. It was checked out on 12-12-72 to borrower OS500. A mark on the bottom edge of the card reads: HP/ECC-1294-0.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1972
- maker
- Library of Congress
- ID Number
- 2002.3058.04
- nonaccession number
- 2002.3058
- catalog number
- 2002.3058.04
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Mainframe Computer Component, Magnetic Wire Cartridge for the SEAC Computer
- Description
- This metal cartridge contains wire used to enter programs on the SEAC computer. A paper ring atop the cartridge lists programs on it. The object is mounted on a wooden backing with a metal plaque that describes the contents of the cartridge.
- A wire cartridge was used to enter data onto the SEAC from at least 1954. The machine went out of service in 1964. This is not the first version of the demonstration cartridge. Hence the date assigned.
- date made
- ca 1960
- maker
- National Bureau of Standards
- ID Number
- 2013.0084.02
- accession number
- 2013.0084
- catalog number
- 2013.0084.02
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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