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, Algorithms for Polynomial Factorization
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1971
- Associated Name
- Riley, Robert F.
- maker
- University of Wisconsin. Computer Sciences Department
- ID Number
- 1999.3057.10
- nonaccession number
- 1999.3057
- catalog number
- 1999.3057.10
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Texas Instruments Little Professor Teaching Calculator
- Description
- Introduced in mid-1976, the Little Professor is a non-printing electronic calculator modified to present simple arithmetic problems. A correct answer prompts another problem on the eight-digit display. An error delivers the message, "EEE." The colorful keyboard shows a professor with whiskers and glasses. The red light-emitting diode screen, in combination with the top of the instrument, looks like a mortar board.
- This example has buttons that allow one to set the level of problems, as well as an on/off button on the front rather than the side of the machine. These features were introduced in a version of the machine made from 1978 onward.
- Reference:
- P. A. Kidwell, A. Ackerberg-Hastings, and D. L. Roberts, Tools of American Mathematics Teaching, Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2008, pp. 261–262.
- date made
- ca 1978
- maker
- Texas Instruments
- ID Number
- 1986.0988.197
- accession number
- 1986.0988
- catalog number
- 1986.0988.197
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Intel 8080A Microprocessor
- Description
- Intel introduced its 8080A 8-bit central processing unit (CPU) microprocessor in April 1974. Generally considered as the first truly usable microprocessor, the chip ran at 2 megahertz and powered the Altair 8800 and the IMSAI 8080, two of the first Personal Computers. Housed in a 40-pin DIP package that contained 6,000 transistors, the integrated circuit could receive 8-bit instructions and perform 16-bit operations. This particular example is marked "8321"indicating it was made in the 21st week of 1983. The "D8080A" means the unit has a housing of black ceramic.
- date made
- 1983-05
- maker
- Intel Corporation
- ID Number
- 1984.0124.04
- accession number
- 1984.0124
- catalog number
- 1984.0124.04
- maker number
- 8080
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Documentation on the Philbrick Computer
- Description
- TheElectronic Analogue Computation Laboratory of the Department of Engineering at the University of California at Los Anglees prepared a typescript Bulletin describing developments in the field. This is Bulletin No. 2.The undated document - as well as Bulletin No. 1 - described use of Philbrick Computer components. A signature on the document reads: Don Lebell. A five-page document attached to this one is entitled "Application of Feedback Amplifiers to Analog Operations." It is by Louis G. Walters.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1950
- ID Number
- 1995.3001.16
- nonaccession number
- 1995.3001
- catalog number
- 1995.3001.16
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Documentation on Miscellaneous Computing Devices
- Description
- This documentation on diverse computing devices includes material on the BINAC, the C.I.T. Electric Analog Computer, the Douglas Aircraft Data Analyzer, the EDVAC, diverse German and Japanese machines, the Goodyear Geda L3, the Maddida, the SWAC, and Reeves Instrument Company machines.
- For a related transaction, see 1983.0023.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1947-1956
- ID Number
- 1995.3001.19
- nonaccession number
- 1995.3001
- catalog number
- 1995.3001.19
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
CDC 5081 Punch Cards
- Description
- These paper eighty-column punch cards are yellow, green, blue, pink and orange (two of each color). The corners of the cards are rounded, with the right top corner truncated. A mark on the lower left of the front reads: CDC 5081.
- Compare 1996.0142.18, a similar eighty-column card made by IBM.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1960s-1970s
- maker
- Control Data
- ID Number
- 1996.0142.01
- catalog number
- 1996.0142.01
- accession number
- 1996.0142
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
IBM 417110 Punch Card with Bell Telephone Laboratories Logo
- Description
- This yellow paper eighty-column punch catd has rounded corners, with the uppler left corner truncated. The Bell Telephone Laboratories logo is at the center. A mark on the card reads: GENERAL APPLICATIONS CARD (/) BELL TELEPHONE LABORATORIES, INCORPORATED. Another mark reads: MILITARY MANUFACTURING INFORMATION DEPT. Another mark reads: IBM 417110. A final mark reads: E7583-E(7-57).
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1957
- maker
- IBM
- ID Number
- 1996.0142.03
- catalog number
- 1996.0142.03
- accession number
- 1996.0142
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Burroughs Punch Cards DSG 623 618013 for Gardner-Denver Wire Wrap Machine
- Description
- Each of these pink punch cards has square corners and is truncated in the upper left corner. They apparently are designed for use with a wire wrap machine, and do not have the standard arrangement of rows and columns of numbers.
- Each card is marked with the Burroughs logo. Each is marked: GARDNER-DENVER (/) WIRE WRAP (/) MACHINE (/) CARD. Each is marked near the bottom edge: DSG 623 4/68. Each is marked: 618013.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1968
- maker
- Burroughs Manufacturing Corporation
- ID Number
- 1996.0142.11
- catalog number
- 1996.0142.11
- accession number
- 1996.0142
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
IBM B92982 Punch Card for Hewlett-Packard Educational BASIC
- Description
- In March of 1968, Hewlett Packard introduced a version of the programming language BASIC for use on its timesharing electronic computers. By 1970, the company had developed “Hewlett-Packard Educational BASIC” for use in educational settings, both with computers and especially with programmable desktop calculators. This punch card is for writing programs in that language. The card was to be marked with a pencil rather than punched, making it more affordable. Inexpensive handheld electronic calculators soon displaced desktop machines in the classroom, and cards of this type were never widely used.
- The cream-colored card has square corners and truncated left corner. There are four columns for the statement number, two columns of the statement, thirty columns for letters, numbers, or punctuation marks, and a final column to indicate whether the statement continues on the next card - a total of thirty-seven columns..
- References:
- HP Journal, November, 1968 and October, 1970.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1970
- maker
- IBM
- ID Number
- 1996.0142.13
- catalog number
- 1996.0142.13
- accession number
- 1996.0142
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
IBM 5076 Bicentennial Punch Card
- Description
- This cream-colored eighty-column punch card has round corners and a truncated upper left corner. It has an image of the Liberty Bell at the center. A mark there reads: 1776 1976 (/) BICENTENNIAL. A mark along the bottom edge at the left reads: IBM 5076.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1976
- maker
- IBM
- ID Number
- 1996.0142.17
- catalog number
- 1996.0142.17
- accession number
- 1996.0142
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
ICT 4-434 Punch Cards Associated with International Computers and Tabulators Limited
- Description
- These two blue eighty-column punch cards have square corners and are truncated in the upper right corner. Marks along the bottom edge read: I [...] C [...] T 4-354; INTERNATIONAL COMPUTERS AND TABULATORS LIMITED; and PRINTED IN ENGLAND.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1960s-1970s
- maker
- International Computers Ltd
- ID Number
- 1996.0142.20
- catalog number
- 1996.0142.20
- accession number
- 1996.0142
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
IBM M70528 Punch Card for the University of Mississippi Computation Center
- Description
- This cream-colored eighty-column punch card has round corners, with the corner on the upper left side truncated. It is marked with the logo of the University of Mississippi. A mark printed on the right reads: UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI (/) COMPUTATION CENTER. A mark at the bottom left reads: IBM M70528.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1960s-1970s
- maker
- IBM
- ID Number
- 1996.0142.27
- catalog number
- 1996.0142.27
- accession number
- 1996.0142
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Pamphlet, Electronic Data-Processing for the Line Official
- Description
- This pamphlet introduces the use of electronic computers for data processing to managers. It was developed by the Univac Division of Sperry Rand Corporation in conjunction with the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway Company. It has Univac form number U2448.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- author
- Univac Division of Sperry Rand Corporation
- ID Number
- 1997.3012.05.02
- catalog number
- 1997.3012.05.02
- nonaccession number
- 1997.3012
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Burroughs Cash Register Model
- Description
- This manufacturer's model of a cash register has a metal case painted black and four columns of black and white digit keys. To the right of these is an operating bar and various function keys. At the left is a paper tape. At the top are indicator digits in an enclosed case. At the front are two rows of register wheels. A box below is in the shape of a cash drawer. The clearance key is on the right front.The machine has a black cord.
- This example is from the collection of the Patent Department of Burroughs Corporation. According to the accession file, it was an invention of Walter Pasinski. A patent case relating to it was abandoned March 5, 1953.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1950
- maker
- Burroughs Adding Machine Company
- ID Number
- 1982.0794.19
- catalog number
- 1982.0794.19
- accession number
- 1982.0794
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Ritty Model 1 Cash Register, Possibly a Replica
- Description
- After the Civil War, as American cities and businesses grew, business owners increasingly hired strangers to assist customers. At the time, it was all too easy for clerks and barkeepers to keep part of the money they received. The cash register, invented by the Ritty brothers of Dayton, Ohio, had a large display to indicate the sums customers paid. It also had a locked compartment that tallied total receipts. This is the Rittys' first machine, or an early replica of it. It was the basis for a commercial product called "Ritty's Incorruptible Cashier."
- By 1884 the Rittys were out of business, but their patents were purchased by the National Cash Register Company. NCR made and sold much improved cash registers. By 1904, they were ready to convey the history of their company by showing this model at the St. Louis World's Fair. NCR went on to successfully make not only cash registers and accounting machines but electronic computers.
- date made
- ca 1904
- maker
- National Cash Register Company
- ID Number
- MA.316700
- accession number
- 225455
- catalog number
- 316700
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
BP-16309 BSC Punch Cards for AFL-CIO Publications
- Description
- Punched cards were used not only in government, business, and universities, but by labor unions. These white, eighty-column punch cards are printed in gray. They have spaces for the name, address, local number and ledger id number of member of the AFL-CIO. A mark along the left edge reads: AFL-CIO PUBLICATIONS. A mark on the right edge reads: BP-16309 BSC. The cards were received in a tabulating machine (reproducer) with catalog number 336301.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1955
- ID Number
- MA.305981.08
- accession number
- 305981
- catalog number
- 305981.08
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
National Cash Register, Model 1544 (4D-1)
- Description
- This NCR cash register has four drawers in two columns. It has four columns of plastic digit keys, white for dollars, tens of dollars, and 5 cents, and black for cents. A column of four keys right of the number keys has keys labeled A1, 6, B2 and B2. Right of these is a lever, which can be set on the operation desired, and a motor bar. The paper tape holder is on the right side, the indicators are above the keyboard, and the electric cord is at the back. The serial number is 4931871, the model number 1544 (4D-1).
- The machine was used at Lansburgh department store in downtown Washington, D.C. When City Stores Company purchased Lansburgh, they gave the machine to the Smithsonian.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1952
- maker
- National Cash Register Company
- ID Number
- MA.334906
- maker number
- 4931871
- accession number
- 314157
- catalog number
- 334906
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
National Cash Register, Eight-Drawer
- Description
- This machine has eight cash drawers, arranged in two columns of four drawers each. The register, with its brown metal case, sits atop these. It has four columns of digit keys (red for dollars, white for cents, and a red 5-cent key). Right of these are eight letter keys (A, B, D, E, H, K, L, and M) and a total key. Right of these is a lever which can be set at the desired operation, and a motor bar. The machine also has an operating handle. The paper tape is on the left and the glass-covered indicators are at the top.
- The machine has serial number 390234. It also is marked: X 094(4) RS-8C.
- This cash register was used at the Lansburgh department store in downtown Washington, D.C. When City Stores Company purchased Lansburgh, they gave the machine to the Smithsonian.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1939
- maker
- National Cash Register Company
- ID Number
- MA.334909
- maker number
- 3848004
- accession number
- 314157
- catalog number
- 334909
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
National Cash Register, Eight-Drawer
- Description
- This machine has eight wooden cash drawers arranged in two columns of four. Atop them is the register, which has four columns of keys for numbers (red for dolars and tens of dollars, white for cents and tens of cents, and a red 5-cent key). A column of lettered keys has keys marked B, D, E, H, K, and M. The A, L, and N keys are missing and there is no place for C, F, G, or I keys.
- Right of the letter keys is a column of keyholes, several of which have keys in them. A lever is set on the operation to be carried out and a motor bar controls the motor. A paper tape is on the left and indicator numbers are at the top.The machine has both an electric cord and a crank. It has serial number 3613685.
- The machine was used at Lansburgh department store in downtown Washington, D.C. When City Stores Company purchased Lansburgh, they gave the machine to the Smithsonian.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1937
- maker
- National Cash Register Company
- ID Number
- MA.334910
- maker number
- 3613685
- accession number
- 314157
- catalog number
- 334910
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
McCaskey Credit Register
- Description
- The McCaskey Register Company of Alliance, Ohio, manufactured systems for keeping track of accounts and credit registers from its organization in 1903 until its purchase by Victor Adding Machine Company in 1953. The firm was started by Perry A. McCaskey, a grocer in Lisbon, Ohio, who took out a patent May 19, 1896, for a “bill and account file” (#560523). He also patented a more complex “credit-accounting appliance” on December 30, 1902 (#717247). McCaskey contiinued to assign patents to the McCaskey Register Company through 1907, although ownership of the firm passed to others and several other inventors contributed to the product.
- This particular machine combines a system for keeping accounts with a cash drawer. It has a wooden base with a wooden roll-top cover. A slatted panel designed for holding credit slips fits over the cash drawer and a piece of glass that fits over the panel. A silver-colored metal compartment is on the front of the cash drawer, with five buttons at the top. A bell is at the back on the inside.
- McCaskey patents describe a system of credit slips that fit on bill-holders in the back of the machine. This machine has no bill-holders or slips.
- The donor dated this machine to 1893. However, it was made after the McCaskey Register Company was founded in 1903 and resembles McCaskey’s 1907 patent, hence the later date assigned.
- References:
- P. A. McCaskey, “Credit-Accounting Appliance,” U.S. Patent 717247, December 30, 1902.
- Craig Bara and Lyle Crist, Alliance, Charleston, SC: Arcadia Press, 1998, 29.
- Richard R. Crandall and Sam Robins, The Incorruptible Cashier, vol. 2, Vestal, N.Y.: Vestal Press, 1990, pp. 318–319.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1910
- maker
- McCaskey Register Company
- ID Number
- MA.336597
- accession number
- 1977.0174
- catalog number
- 336597
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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