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
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printout, inter net
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 8/27/10, 9:40 PM
- used date
- August 27, 2010
- ID Number
- 2010.0184.10
- accession number
- 2010.0184
- catalog number
- 2010.0184.10
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Sheets, IBM, GSA Contract Prices for 1958 and 1959
- Description
- The Marchant Calculating Machine Company saved advertisements and trade literature describing competing products. These materials are price lists for IBM products sold under GSA contracts. The first set of sheets describes rates of monthly rental as of December 28, 1959, for IBM tabulating equipment (the IBM 402 and related punhces, card readers, sorter). The second gives 1959 prices for monthly rental of the IBM1401 mainframe computer and related equipment.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1958-1959
- maker
- General Services Administration
- ID Number
- 1979.3084.155
- catalog number
- 1979.3084.155
- nonaccession number
- 1979.3084
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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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
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Microcite Electromechanical Scanner
- Description
- The Microcite was an information retrieval machine originally created in the 1950s. This version of the machine was patented in 1964 by Joshua Stern, who worked at the National Bureau of Standards (now the National Institutes of Standards and Technology). Stern was in the Instrument Reference Services at the time, which was established in the early 1950s to gather and keep records of scientific instruments and their use. The Microcite was designed to more easily retrieve documents or records when searching through a large database, such as the National Bureau of Standards’ collection of abstracts for scientific instruments. The machine used punch cards and a document-matrix, a large microfilm-like roll of documents in a given collection, to search by key word. The Microcite was able to search millions of documents with its mechanized search process, and was used for many years at the Instrument Reference Services office itself. The Microcite in the Smithsonian’s collections came from the National Institute of Health, where it was used at the National Cancer Institute.
- The Microcite resembles a large desk with a spot for the user to sit while using the machine. To retrieve any desired documents, the Microcite used what is called the “peek-a-boo” technique, a method of developed by Stern and his colleague W. A. Wildhack. Each punched card represented a particular index word while the position of each hole on a card referred to a document that was associated with that word. A user picked which index words they wanted to search for, stacked the cards associated with those words, and inserted them into the Microcite with the face of the stack facing outward, so that they could see the holes. The machine would then shine a light from behind the stacked cards so the user could easily see which holes remained unobstructed and therefore which documents were associated with all of the selected index words. The light shining, or “peeking,” out through the holes as an indicator of the relevant documents earned the method its name. After inserting the cards, users turned two control knobs on the front of the machine to position a cursor over an unobstructed hole and these knobs would, in turn, move the document matrix to the document associated with that punched hole. The document images were projected onto a screen in front of the user with the serial number for each document shown above, so that it could be more easily found in the future. This mechanization of information retrieval allowed people working with large numbers of records to locate information more easily and efficiently.
- References:
- “Microcite, an aid to more effective referencing.” National Bureau of Standards Technical News Bulletin, 41, 141 (1957).
- Stern, Joshua. “An Application of the Peek-A-Boo Principle to Information Retrieval.” In Proceedings of the Symposium on Materials Information Retrieval: Dayton, Ohio, November 28, 1962, 93-115.
- Stern, Joshua. Information Retrieval Apparatus. U.S. Patent 3,117,491 filed June 29, 1962, and issued January 14, 1964.
- Stern, Joshua and W. A. Wildhack. “Chapter 6: The Peek-A-Boo System – Optical Coincidence Subject Cards in Information Searching.” In Punched Cards: Their Applications to Science and Industry, edited by R. S. Casey, J.W. Perry, M. M. Berry and A. Kent. New York: Rheinhold Publishing Co, 1958.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1964
- maker
- Stern, Joshua
- ID Number
- MA.314612.01
- accession number
- 314612
- catalog number
- 314612.01
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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R.C. Allen Musicwriter
- Description (Brief)
- One (1) R.C. Allen musicwriter
- Mechanical typewriter with beige body with brown keys. Four-line keyboard. 14" carriage. Keys are musical symbols and numbers.
- Inscription: "R.C. Allen", "Musicwriter" On back label: "Musicwriter Patented Typewriter - U.S. Paten No. 511,941; Great Britain, No. 712,430, Nov. 3, 1954; Switzerland, Patent No. 298,526; Germany DBP 909,101." "MUSIC PRINT CORPORATION Denver, Colorado, U.S.A."
- Description
- This Musicwriter “typewriter” was manufactured by R.C. Allen of Grand Rapids, Michigan during the mid 20th century. The Musicwriter was used to compose sheet music. Instead of a letter-writing typewriter, each key could print a different type of note, which could be raised or lowered on the musical staff.
- R. C. Allen was founded in 1932 as a manufacturer of cash registers, adding machines, and altimeters. R.C. Allen purchased the Woodstock Typewriter Company of Woodstock, Illinois in 1950 and began manufacturing typewriters and musicwriters such as this machine.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1960
- maker
- R. C. Allen
- ID Number
- 1984.0914.01
- accession number
- 1984.0914
- catalog number
- 1984.0914.01
- serial number
- 8C-2105274 14
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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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
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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
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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
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McGill Cash Register Patent Model
- Description
- This is the patent model for U.S. patent 350,986, for a cash register. It has a pine box for a base and a wooden case that covers the mechanism and the back part of the box. Four notched metal wheels, mounted vertically, represent tens of dollars, dollars, tens of cents, and cents. Rotating the wheels forward enters digits, which appear in windows to the left of the wheels.
- Moving a knob on the front of the machine raises the case, which is hinged to the box at the back. This reveals the cash register mechanism, including a bell. It also shows the inside of the box, which contains several loose parts. One of these is a broken wooden disc that has a paper disc pasted to it with 26 letters around the edge (not in alphabetical order). The digits from 0 to 9 are listed next to 10 of the letters. This wheel may well not be part of the model. The patent tag with drawing and description is attached to the cash register.
- William C. McGill (1812–1890) was born in Berks County, Pa., and spent his early years at sea. He went to California at the time of the Gold Rush, then to Australia, and then to St. Louis. In 1860, he moved to Cincinnati, and soon was assisting in organizing the first company of military volunteers in that city. After the Civil War, he was a guard at the District of Columbia jail until he resigned in 1882 because of poor health. He reportedly was the first patentee of the bell punch and devoted most of his later years to his inventions.
- References:
- W. C. McGill, "Cash Register," U.S. Patent 350,986, October 19, 1886.
- Washington Post, August 23, 1890 (obituary).
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1886
- patentee
- McGill, William C.
- maker
- McGill, William C.
- ID Number
- MA.309344
- accession number
- 89797
- catalog number
- 309344
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Counter from a Hollerith Tabulating Machine
- Description
- This is a single counter from a Hollerith tabulating machine. It has square brass pieces on top and bottom, with a brass mechanism in between. A paper-covered metal dial on top is divided around the edge into 100 equal parts. Two hands are on the face of the dial. Advancing the small hand by 100 (one revolution) advances the large hand by one. Hence the counter can read up to 9,999.
- A mark around the center of the dial reads: THE HOLLERITH (/) ELECTRIC TABULATING SYSTEM (/) PATENTED, 1889.
- Compare to the dials on MA.312895.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1890
- ID Number
- MA.335638
- catalog number
- 335638
- accession number
- 1977.0114
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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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
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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
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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
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Experimental Sound Recording, Wax Disc on Binder’s Board
- Description
- This is an experimental sound recording made in the Volta Laboratory, Washington, D.C., on 15 April 1885. It is a recording of Alexander Graham Bell’s voice.
- In a ring around the center, it is inscribed in the wax: “Record made April 15 1885/AGB and C.A.B. [Chichester A. Bell]/to test reproduction of numbers./ Disk A. G. B. No. 1.” A paper document, probably in Alexander Graham Bell’s handwriting, with a transcription of the recording is 287881.02
- Sound was recovered from this recording in 2012. Transcript of recording (4:35 minutes):
- “[unintelligible] nineteen, twenty, twenty one, twenty two, twenty three, twenty four, twenty five, twenty six, twenty seven, twenty eight, twenty nine, thirty, thirty one, thirty two, thirty three, thirty four, thirty five, thirty six, thirty seven, thirty eight, thirty nine, forty, forty one, forty two, forty three, forty four, forty five, forty six, forty seven, forty eight, forty nine, fifty
- ten, twenty, thirty, forty, fifty, sixty, seventy, eighty, ninety, one hundred
- “one hundred, two hundred, three hundred, four hundred, five hundred, six hundred, seven hundred, eight hundred, nine hundred, one thousand
- “one thousand, two thousand, three thousand, four thousand, five thousand, six thousand, seven thousand, eight thousand, nine thousand, ten thousand
- “ten thousand, twenty thousand, thirty thousand, forty thousand, fifty thousand, sixty thousand, seventy thousand, eighty thousand, ninety thousand, one hundred thousand
- “one hundred thousand, two hundred thousand, three hundred thousand, four hundred thousand, five hundred thousand, six hundred thousand, seven hundred thousand, eight hundred thousand, nine hundred thousand, one million
- “three thousand five hundred and seventy one / one hundred and twenty three thousand nine hundred and forty one/ one hundred and twenty five thousand eight hundred and seventy three
- “one million nine hundred and forty five thousand eight hundred and seventy six / thirty-five thousand nine hundred / thirty three thousand eight hundred and seventy eight
- “forty eight thousand seven hundred and fifteen/ seven hundred and ninety thousand [no?] hundred and forty two / four million five hundred and thirty thousand eight hundred and seventy
- “forty five dollars and a half / eighty nine dollars and seventy three cents / four thousand [no?] hundred and twenty nine dollars and forty-six cents
- “thirty five cents / twenty five cents / thirty cents / fifty cents
- “half a dollar [a? seems to be missing] quarter dollar
- “three dollars and a half / five dollars and a quarter / seven dollars and twenty nine cents
- “ten dollars and a half / three thousand seven hundred and eighty five dollars and fifty six cents
- “This record has been made by Alexander Graham Bell
- in the presence of Dr. Chichester A. Bell ----
- on the 15th of April, eighteen hundred and eighty five at the Volta Laboratory
- Twelve hundred and twenty one Connecticut Avenue, Washington [D.C. ?]
- In witness whereof --- hear my voice Alexander Graham Bell”
- References:
- Patrick Feaster, “A Discography of Volta Laboratory Recordings at the National Museum of American History”
- Leslie J. Newville, “Development of the Phonograph at Alexander Graham Bell's Volta Laboratory,” in Contributions from the Museum of History and Technology, United States National Museum Bulletin 218, Paper 5 (1959): 69-79.
- Steven E. Schoenherr, “Charles Sumner Tainter and the Graphophone,”
- Wile, Raymond R. "The Development of Sound Recording at the Volta Laboratory," Association for Recorded Sound Collections Journal 21, No. 2, 1990, pp. 208-225.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- maker
- Volta Laboratory Associates
- ID Number
- ME.287881.01
- accession number
- 58498
- catalog number
- 287881.01
- 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
-
Morse-Vail Telegraph Key
- Description
- Alfred Vail made this key, believed to be from the first Baltimore-Washington telegraph line, as an improvement on Samuel Morse's original transmitter. Vail helped Morse develop a practical system for sending and receiving coded electrical signals over a wire, which was successfully demonstrated in 1844.
- Morse's telegraph marked the arrival of instant long-distance communication in America. The revolutionary technology excited the public imagination, inspiring predictions that the telegraph would bring about economic prosperity, national unity, and even world peace.
- Date made
- 1844
- used date
- 1844
- demonstrator
- Morse, Samuel Finley Breese
- Vail, Alfred
- maker
- Vail, Alfred
- Morse, Samuel Finley Breese
- ID Number
- EM.181411
- catalog number
- 181411
- accession number
- 31652
- 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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Volta Laboratory Experimental Sound Recording, Green Wax on Brass Disc
- Description
- This is an experimental sound recording made in the Volta Laboratory, Washington, D.C., about 1884. The wax, poured into a brass holder, has been dyed a bright green.
- Sound was recovered from this recording in 2011.
- Content summary: Hamlet’s soliloquy
- Content transcript (17 seconds):
- “To be, or not to be: that is the question. Whether it is nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, or to take arms against a sea of troubles, and by opposing end them? To die, to sleep…”
- References:
- Patrick Feaster, “A Discography of Volta Laboratory Recordings at the National Museum of American History”
- Leslie J. Newville, “Development of the Phonograph at Alexander Graham Bell's Volta Laboratory,” in Contributions from the Museum of History and Technology, United States National Museum Bulletin 218, Paper 5 (1959): 69-79.
- Steven E. Schoenherr, “Charles Sumner Tainter and the Graphophone,”
- Wile, Raymond R. "The Development of Sound Recording at the Volta Laboratory," Association for Recorded Sound Collections Journal 21, No. 2, 1990, pp. 208-225.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- maker
- Volta Laboratory Associates
- ID Number
- ME.287920
- catalog number
- 287920
- accession number
- 58498
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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