Computers & Business Machines

• Book, The Business Machines and Equipment Digest

  Description

  This is a detailed catalogued of business equipment available in 1927, compiled by a Chicago firm headed bty J. H. McCarthy.

  This copy of the book is from the Patent Library of the Marchant Calculating Machine Company.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  1927

  maker

  Equipment Research Corporation

  ID Number

  1979.3084.160

  catalog number

  1979.3084.160

  nonaccession number

  1979.3084

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• Book, Office Equipment Catalogue, First Annual Edition

  Description

  The full title of this catalogue well reflects its content. It is: Office Equipment Catalogue A Compilation of Condensed and Standardized Catalogue Data of Office Appliances and Devices, Furniture and Equipment, Office Supplies, Buisness Systems and Business Services, that contribute directly or indirectly to Office Efficiency, the uses of which are not obvious, with a General Directory of such Equipment, Materials, Systems and Services, Classified and Cross-Indexed, and A Book Section - Cataloguing and briefly describing a list of the Most Important Business Books selected by the Publishers, for the convenient reference of practising [sic] Accountants, Purchasing Agents, Systematizers and Office Executives." This copy of the book is from the Patent Library of the Marchant Calculating Machine Company.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  Date made

  1924

  maker

  Office Equipment Catalogue, Inc.

  ID Number

  1979.3084.159

  catalog number

  1979.3084.159

  nonaccession number

  1979.3084

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• Schematic for the Computer System X-66744, Bell Telephone Laboratories

  Description

  The computing collection contains several schematics of the computer system X-66744, created by Samuel B. Williams and George Stibitz at Bell Telephone Laboratories in New York City. Williams and Stibitz designed a series of six electromechanical relay computers between 1939 and 1949. The X-66744 was fifth in the series of computers, later called Models I through VI, which were deployed in defense efforts, including executing calculations for antiaircraft guns at federal agencies and military research hubs. This computer was one of two duplicate Model V versions created between 1946 and 1947. The Model V computers were sophisticated digital calculating machines that employed about 9,000 telephone relays for switching elements and paper tape for programming. They could perform multiple calculations using floating point numbers and contained a system for self-checking errors. The Model V represented the limits of what was possible with electromechanical relay technology for the time. Even though relays would fail intermittently, the self-checking system and ability to automatically switch to other calculations afforded the machine its reliable reputation and impressive track record for continuous around-the-clock operation.

  In 1946, the x-66744 was delivered to the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) in Langley Field, Virginia. Then, in 1958 it was given to Texas Technical College, although according to a 1963 article in The Bell System Technical Journal, the machine suffered extensive damage in that shipment and its parts were salvaged for the other Model V computer that was in operation at Fort Bliss, Texas and later New Mexico State University at Las Cruces before portions of it were acquired by NMAH. The article erroneously mentions that the latter computer was transferred to the University of Arizona rather than New Mexico State University. See the Model V (or Model 5) Control Panel in the NMAH collection (1987.0821.01).

  References:

  Andrews, E.G. “Telephone Switching and the Early Bell Laboratories Computers.” The Bell System

  Technical Journal 42:2 March 1963): 341 – 353.

  Ceruzzi, Paul. Reckoners: The Prehistory of the Digital Computer from Relays to the Stored Program

  Concept, 1935-1945 (Westport, CT: Greenwood Press 1983).

  Kidwell, Peggy and Paul Ceruzzi. Landmarks in Digital Computing (Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian

  Institution Press, 1994).

  Millman, Sidney, Ed. A History of Engineering and Science in the Bell System: Communications Sciences

  1925-1980 (AT&T Bell Laboratories, 1984).

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  1947-03-20

  maker

  Bell Telephone Laboratories

  ID Number

  1983.3018.06.01

  nonaccession number

  1983.3018

  catalog number

  1983.3018.06.01

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• Schematic for the Computer System X-66744, Bell Telephone Laboratories

  Description

  The computing collection contains several schematics of the computer system X-66744, created by Samuel B. Williams and George Stibitz at Bell Telephone Laboratories in New York City. Williams and Stibitz designed a series of six electromechanical relay computers between 1939 and 1949. The X-66744 was fifth in the series of computers, later called Models I through VI, which were deployed in defense efforts, including executing calculations for antiaircraft guns at federal agencies and military research hubs. This computer was one of two duplicate Model V versions created between 1946 and 1947. The Model V computers were sophisticated digital calculating machines that employed about 9,000 telephone relays for switching elements and paper tape for programming. They could perform multiple calculations using floating point numbers and contained a system for self-checking errors. The Model V represented the limits of what was possible with electromechanical relay technology for the time. Even though relays would fail intermittently, the self-checking system and ability to automatically switch to other calculations afforded the machine its reliable reputation and impressive track record for continuous around-the-clock operation.

  In 1946, the x-66744 was delivered to the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) in Langley Field, Virginia. Then, in 1958 it was given to Texas Technical College, although according to a 1963 article in The Bell System Technical Journal, the machine suffered extensive damage in that shipment and its parts were salvaged for the other Model V computer that was in operation at Fort Bliss, Texas and later New Mexico State University at Las Cruces before portions of it were acquired by NMAH. The article erroneously mentions that the latter computer was transferred to the University of Arizona rather than New Mexico State University. See the Model V (or Model 5) Control Panel in the NMAH collection (1987.0821.01).

  References:

  Andrews, E.G. “Telephone Switching and the Early Bell Laboratories Computers.” The Bell System

  Technical Journal 42:2 March 1963): 341 – 353.

  Ceruzzi, Paul. Reckoners: The Prehistory of the Digital Computer from Relays to the Stored Program

  Concept, 1935-1945 (Westport, CT: Greenwood Press 1983).

  Kidwell, Peggy and Paul Ceruzzi. Landmarks in Digital Computing (Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian

  Institution Press, 1994).

  Millman, Sidney, Ed. A History of Engineering and Science in the Bell System: Communications Sciences

  1925-1980 (AT&T Bell Laboratories, 1984).

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  1947-03-21

  maker

  Bell Telephone Laboratories

  ID Number

  1983.3018.07.11

  nonaccession number

  1983.3018

  catalog number

  1983.3018.07.11

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• Sheets, SAAL Assembler Coding Forms

  Location

  Currently not on view

  ID Number

  2012.3060.17

  catalog number

  2012.3060.17

  nonaccession number

  2012.3060

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• Schematic for the Computer System X-66744, Bell Telephone Laboratories

  Description

  The computing collection contains several schematics of the computer system X-66744, created by Samuel B. Williams and George Stibitz at Bell Telephone Laboratories in New York City. Williams and Stibitz designed a series of six electromechanical relay computers between 1939 and 1949. The X-66744 was fifth in the series of computers, later called Models I through VI, which were deployed in defense efforts, including executing calculations for antiaircraft guns at federal agencies and military research hubs. This computer was one of two duplicate Model V versions created between 1946 and 1947. The Model V computers were sophisticated digital calculating machines that employed about 9,000 telephone relays for switching elements and paper tape for programming. They could perform multiple calculations using floating point numbers and contained a system for self-checking errors. The Model V represented the limits of what was possible with electromechanical relay technology for the time. Even though relays would fail intermittently, the self-checking system and ability to automatically switch to other calculations afforded the machine its reliable reputation and impressive track record for continuous around-the-clock operation.

  In 1946, the x-66744 was delivered to the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) in Langley Field, Virginia. Then, in 1958 it was given to Texas Technical College, although according to a 1963 article in The Bell System Technical Journal, the machine suffered extensive damage in that shipment and its parts were salvaged for the other Model V computer that was in operation at Fort Bliss, Texas and later New Mexico State University at Las Cruces before portions of it were acquired by NMAH. The article erroneously mentions that the latter computer was transferred to the University of Arizona rather than New Mexico State University. See the Model V (or Model 5) Control Panel in the NMAH collection (1987.0821.01).

  References:

  Andrews, E.G. “Telephone Switching and the Early Bell Laboratories Computers.” The Bell System

  Technical Journal 42:2 March 1963): 341 – 353.

  Ceruzzi, Paul. Reckoners: The Prehistory of the Digital Computer from Relays to the Stored Program

  Concept, 1935-1945 (Westport, CT: Greenwood Press 1983).

  Kidwell, Peggy and Paul Ceruzzi. Landmarks in Digital Computing (Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian

  Institution Press, 1994).

  Millman, Sidney, Ed. A History of Engineering and Science in the Bell System: Communications Sciences

  1925-1980 (AT&T Bell Laboratories, 1984).

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  1947-03-19

  maker

  Bell Telephone Laboratories

  ID Number

  1983.3018.47.03

  nonaccession number

  1983.3018

  catalog number

  1983.3018.47.03

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• Schematic for the Computer System X-66744, Bell Telephone Laboratories

  Description

  The computing collection contains several schematics of the computer system X-66744, created by Samuel B. Williams and George Stibitz at Bell Telephone Laboratories in New York City. Williams and Stibitz designed a series of six electromechanical relay computers between 1939 and 1949. The X-66744 was fifth in the series of computers, later called Models I through VI, which were deployed in defense efforts, including executing calculations for antiaircraft guns at federal agencies and military research hubs. This computer was one of two duplicate Model V versions created between 1946 and 1947. The Model V computers were sophisticated digital calculating machines that employed about 9,000 telephone relays for switching elements and paper tape for programming. They could perform multiple calculations using floating point numbers and contained a system for self-checking errors. The Model V represented the limits of what was possible with electromechanical relay technology for the time. Even though relays would fail intermittently, the self-checking system and ability to automatically switch to other calculations afforded the machine its reliable reputation and impressive track record for continuous around-the-clock operation.

  In 1946, the x-66744 was delivered to the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) in Langley Field, Virginia. Then, in 1958 it was given to Texas Technical College, although according to a 1963 article in The Bell System Technical Journal, the machine suffered extensive damage in that shipment and its parts were salvaged for the other Model V computer that was in operation at Fort Bliss, Texas and later New Mexico State University at Las Cruces before portions of it were acquired by NMAH. The article erroneously mentions that the latter computer was transferred to the University of Arizona rather than New Mexico State University. See the Model V (or Model 5) Control Panel in the NMAH collection (1987.0821.01).

  References:

  Andrews, E.G. “Telephone Switching and the Early Bell Laboratories Computers.” The Bell System

  Technical Journal 42:2 March 1963): 341 – 353.

  Ceruzzi, Paul. Reckoners: The Prehistory of the Digital Computer from Relays to the Stored Program

  Concept, 1935-1945 (Westport, CT: Greenwood Press 1983).

  Kidwell, Peggy and Paul Ceruzzi. Landmarks in Digital Computing (Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian

  Institution Press, 1994).

  Millman, Sidney, Ed. A History of Engineering and Science in the Bell System: Communications Sciences

  1925-1980 (AT&T Bell Laboratories, 1984).

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  1947-03-20

  maker

  Bell Telephone Laboratories

  ID Number

  1983.3018.08.11

  nonaccession number

  1983.3018

  catalog number

  1983.3018.08.11

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• Schematic for the Computer System X-66744, Bell Telephone Laboratories

  Description

  The computing collection contains several schematics of the computer system X-66744, created by Samuel B. Williams and George Stibitz at Bell Telephone Laboratories in New York City. Williams and Stibitz designed a series of six electromechanical relay computers between 1939 and 1949. The X-66744 was fifth in the series of computers, later called Models I through VI, which were deployed in defense efforts, including executing calculations for antiaircraft guns at federal agencies and military research hubs. This computer was one of two duplicate Model V versions created between 1946 and 1947. The Model V computers were sophisticated digital calculating machines that employed about 9,000 telephone relays for switching elements and paper tape for programming. They could perform multiple calculations using floating point numbers and contained a system for self-checking errors. The Model V represented the limits of what was possible with electromechanical relay technology for the time. Even though relays would fail intermittently, the self-checking system and ability to automatically switch to other calculations afforded the machine its reliable reputation and impressive track record for continuous around-the-clock operation.

  In 1946, the x-66744 was delivered to the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) in Langley Field, Virginia. Then, in 1958 it was given to Texas Technical College, although according to a 1963 article in The Bell System Technical Journal, the machine suffered extensive damage in that shipment and its parts were salvaged for the other Model V computer that was in operation at Fort Bliss, Texas and later New Mexico State University at Las Cruces before portions of it were acquired by NMAH. The article erroneously mentions that the latter computer was transferred to the University of Arizona rather than New Mexico State University. See the Model V (or Model 5) Control Panel in the NMAH collection (1987.0821.01).

  References:

  Andrews, E.G. “Telephone Switching and the Early Bell Laboratories Computers.” The Bell System

  Technical Journal 42:2 March 1963): 341 – 353.

  Ceruzzi, Paul. Reckoners: The Prehistory of the Digital Computer from Relays to the Stored Program

  Concept, 1935-1945 (Westport, CT: Greenwood Press 1983).

  Kidwell, Peggy and Paul Ceruzzi. Landmarks in Digital Computing (Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian

  Institution Press, 1994).

  Millman, Sidney, Ed. A History of Engineering and Science in the Bell System: Communications Sciences

  1925-1980 (AT&T Bell Laboratories, 1984).

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  1947-03-20

  maker

  Bell Telephone Laboratories

  ID Number

  1983.3018.03.01

  nonaccession number

  1983.3018

  catalog number

  1983.3018.03.01

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• Pamphlet, SOBAX Solid State Calculator ICC-2500W Owner's Instruction Manual

  Description

  This spiral-bound pamphlet describes in English the operation of the Sony SOBAX ICC-2500W desktop electronic calculator.

  For a related object, see CI*334390.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  ca 1969

  maker

  Sony Corporation

  ID Number

  CI.313986.15

  catalog number

  313986.15

  accession number

  313986

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• Schematic for the Computer System X-66744, Bell Telephone Laboratories

  Description

  The computing collection contains several schematics of the computer system X-66744, created by Samuel B. Williams and George Stibitz at Bell Telephone Laboratories in New York City. Williams and Stibitz designed a series of six electromechanical relay computers between 1939 and 1949. The X-66744 was fifth in the series of computers, later called Models I through VI, which were deployed in defense efforts, including executing calculations for antiaircraft guns at federal agencies and military research hubs. This computer was one of two duplicate Model V versions created between 1946 and 1947. The Model V computers were sophisticated digital calculating machines that employed about 9,000 telephone relays for switching elements and paper tape for programming. They could perform multiple calculations using floating point numbers and contained a system for self-checking errors. The Model V represented the limits of what was possible with electromechanical relay technology for the time. Even though relays would fail intermittently, the self-checking system and ability to automatically switch to other calculations afforded the machine its reliable reputation and impressive track record for continuous around-the-clock operation.

  In 1946, the x-66744 was delivered to the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) in Langley Field, Virginia. Then, in 1958 it was given to Texas Technical College, although according to a 1963 article in The Bell System Technical Journal, the machine suffered extensive damage in that shipment and its parts were salvaged for the other Model V computer that was in operation at Fort Bliss, Texas and later New Mexico State University at Las Cruces before portions of it were acquired by NMAH. The article erroneously mentions that the latter computer was transferred to the University of Arizona rather than New Mexico State University. See the Model V (or Model 5) Control Panel in the NMAH collection (1987.0821.01).

  References:

  Andrews, E.G. “Telephone Switching and the Early Bell Laboratories Computers.” The Bell System

  Technical Journal 42:2 March 1963): 341 – 353.

  Ceruzzi, Paul. Reckoners: The Prehistory of the Digital Computer from Relays to the Stored Program

  Concept, 1935-1945 (Westport, CT: Greenwood Press 1983).

  Kidwell, Peggy and Paul Ceruzzi. Landmarks in Digital Computing (Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian

  Institution Press, 1994).

  Millman, Sidney, Ed. A History of Engineering and Science in the Bell System: Communications Sciences

  1925-1980 (AT&T Bell Laboratories, 1984).

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  1947-03-19

  maker

  Bell Telephone Laboratories

  ID Number

  1983.3018.47.05

  nonaccession number

  1983.3018

  catalog number

  1983.3018.47.05

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• Schematic for the Computer System X-66744, Bell Telephone Laboratories

  Description

  The computing collection contains several schematics of the computer system X-66744, created by Samuel B. Williams and George Stibitz at Bell Telephone Laboratories in New York City. Williams and Stibitz designed a series of six electromechanical relay computers between 1939 and 1949. The X-66744 was fifth in the series of computers, later called Models I through VI, which were deployed in defense efforts, including executing calculations for antiaircraft guns at federal agencies and military research hubs. This computer was one of two duplicate Model V versions created between 1946 and 1947. The Model V computers were sophisticated digital calculating machines that employed about 9,000 telephone relays for switching elements and paper tape for programming. They could perform multiple calculations using floating point numbers and contained a system for self-checking errors. The Model V represented the limits of what was possible with electromechanical relay technology for the time. Even though relays would fail intermittently, the self-checking system and ability to automatically switch to other calculations afforded the machine its reliable reputation and impressive track record for continuous around-the-clock operation.

  In 1946, the x-66744 was delivered to the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) in Langley Field, Virginia. Then, in 1958 it was given to Texas Technical College, although according to a 1963 article in The Bell System Technical Journal, the machine suffered extensive damage in that shipment and its parts were salvaged for the other Model V computer that was in operation at Fort Bliss, Texas and later New Mexico State University at Las Cruces before portions of it were acquired by NMAH. The article erroneously mentions that the latter computer was transferred to the University of Arizona rather than New Mexico State University. See the Model V (or Model 5) Control Panel in the NMAH collection (1987.0821.01).

  References:

  Andrews, E.G. “Telephone Switching and the Early Bell Laboratories Computers.” The Bell System

  Technical Journal 42:2 March 1963): 341 – 353.

  Ceruzzi, Paul. Reckoners: The Prehistory of the Digital Computer from Relays to the Stored Program

  Concept, 1935-1945 (Westport, CT: Greenwood Press 1983).

  Kidwell, Peggy and Paul Ceruzzi. Landmarks in Digital Computing (Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian

  Institution Press, 1994).

  Millman, Sidney, Ed. A History of Engineering and Science in the Bell System: Communications Sciences

  1925-1980 (AT&T Bell Laboratories, 1984).

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  1947-03-20

  maker

  Bell Telephone Laboratories

  ID Number

  1983.3018.21.04

  nonaccession number

  1983.3018

  catalog number

  1983.3018.21.04

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• Kaypro 2000 Documentation

  Description

  This documentation relates to the Kaypro 2000 microcomputer - accession 2017.0161.

  The documents include:

  --Software Package Licensing Information. Ten pages which contain the license agreements for Microsoft, Inc., Oasis Systems, Chang Labs, MicroPro International Corp., and Digital Research Inc. The donor filled out some of the forms but did not remove them to mail. Labels for the MicroPro software with the serial and version numbers are pasted into the document.

  --Addendum to the Kaypro 2000 User's Guide Utility Files, dated September 5, 1985.

  --How to Use WORDSTAR, MAILMERGE, and CALCSTAR on your MS-DOS Kaypro. Five pages, dated February 26, 1985.

  --Transferring Files From the Kaypro 16 to the Kaypro 2000. One page listing with 11 instructions and a diagram of a null modem cable configuration for 9 pin to 25 pin.

  --Computer Dynamics Work Order. Two pages listing the problem (system fails to boot), the parts required, and the cost of the repair.

  --Tech Notes. One page, with handwritten note from the sender who also marked the section on Serial Port Initialization.

  --Tech Notes. One page, first article is Technical Training.

  --Dealer Record. Small card with the purchaser information filled out. Date of sale is August 2, 1985.

  --Kaypro Invoice. Describes a computer repair completed on December 10, 1987. The $70 repair was covered under warranty.

  --Production Traveler. Builder sheet describing the components used in assembling the base unit, dated December 30, 1987.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  1985-1987

  ID Number

  2017.3105.01

  nonaccession number

  2017.3105

  catalog number

  2017.3105.01

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• Sheets, Marchant MINIAC System for Business

  Description

  Long a manufacturer of calculating machines, the California firm of Marchant also ventured briefly into the production of electronic computers - one of the first companies in California to do so. This paper about Marchant's Miniac computer was delivered at the Joint Computer Conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on December 9, 1954, by George B. Greene, President of Marchant Research, Inc.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  1954

  maker

  Greene, George B.

  ID Number

  1979.3084.116

  catalog number

  1979.3084.116

  nonaccession number

  1979.3084

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• Schematic for the Computer System X-66744, Bell Telephone Laboratories

  Description

  The computing collection contains several schematics of the computer system X-66744, created by Samuel B. Williams and George Stibitz at Bell Telephone Laboratories in New York City. Williams and Stibitz designed a series of six electromechanical relay computers between 1939 and 1949. The X-66744 was fifth in the series of computers, later called Models I through VI, which were deployed in defense efforts, including executing calculations for antiaircraft guns at federal agencies and military research hubs. This computer was one of two duplicate Model V versions created between 1946 and 1947. The Model V computers were sophisticated digital calculating machines that employed about 9,000 telephone relays for switching elements and paper tape for programming. They could perform multiple calculations using floating point numbers and contained a system for self-checking errors. The Model V represented the limits of what was possible with electromechanical relay technology for the time. Even though relays would fail intermittently, the self-checking system and ability to automatically switch to other calculations afforded the machine its reliable reputation and impressive track record for continuous around-the-clock operation.

  In 1946, the x-66744 was delivered to the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) in Langley Field, Virginia. Then, in 1958 it was given to Texas Technical College, although according to a 1963 article in The Bell System Technical Journal, the machine suffered extensive damage in that shipment and its parts were salvaged for the other Model V computer that was in operation at Fort Bliss, Texas and later New Mexico State University at Las Cruces before portions of it were acquired by NMAH. The article erroneously mentions that the latter computer was transferred to the University of Arizona rather than New Mexico State University. See the Model V (or Model 5) Control Panel in the NMAH collection (1987.0821.01).

  References:

  Andrews, E.G. “Telephone Switching and the Early Bell Laboratories Computers.” The Bell System

  Technical Journal 42:2 March 1963): 341 – 353.

  Ceruzzi, Paul. Reckoners: The Prehistory of the Digital Computer from Relays to the Stored Program

  Concept, 1935-1945 (Westport, CT: Greenwood Press 1983).

  Kidwell, Peggy and Paul Ceruzzi. Landmarks in Digital Computing (Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian

  Institution Press, 1994).

  Millman, Sidney, Ed. A History of Engineering and Science in the Bell System: Communications Sciences

  1925-1980 (AT&T Bell Laboratories, 1984).

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  1947-03-20

  maker

  Bell Telephone Laboratories

  ID Number

  1983.3018.04.02

  nonaccession number

  1983.3018

  catalog number

  1983.3018.04.02

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• Schematic for the Computer System X-66744, Bell Telephone Laboratories

  Description

  The computing collection contains several schematics of the computer system X-66744, created by Samuel B. Williams and George Stibitz at Bell Telephone Laboratories in New York City. Williams and Stibitz designed a series of six electromechanical relay computers between 1939 and 1949. The X-66744 was fifth in the series of computers, later called Models I through VI, which were deployed in defense efforts, including executing calculations for antiaircraft guns at federal agencies and military research hubs. This computer was one of two duplicate Model V versions created between 1946 and 1947. The Model V computers were sophisticated digital calculating machines that employed about 9,000 telephone relays for switching elements and paper tape for programming. They could perform multiple calculations using floating point numbers and contained a system for self-checking errors. The Model V represented the limits of what was possible with electromechanical relay technology for the time. Even though relays would fail intermittently, the self-checking system and ability to automatically switch to other calculations afforded the machine its reliable reputation and impressive track record for continuous around-the-clock operation.

  In 1946, the x-66744 was delivered to the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) in Langley Field, Virginia. Then, in 1958 it was given to Texas Technical College, although according to a 1963 article in The Bell System Technical Journal, the machine suffered extensive damage in that shipment and its parts were salvaged for the other Model V computer that was in operation at Fort Bliss, Texas and later New Mexico State University at Las Cruces before portions of it were acquired by NMAH. The article erroneously mentions that the latter computer was transferred to the University of Arizona rather than New Mexico State University. See the Model V (or Model 5) Control Panel in the NMAH collection (1987.0821.01).

  References:

  Andrews, E.G. “Telephone Switching and the Early Bell Laboratories Computers.” The Bell System

  Technical Journal 42:2 March 1963): 341 – 353.

  Ceruzzi, Paul. Reckoners: The Prehistory of the Digital Computer from Relays to the Stored Program

  Concept, 1935-1945 (Westport, CT: Greenwood Press 1983).

  Kidwell, Peggy and Paul Ceruzzi. Landmarks in Digital Computing (Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian

  Institution Press, 1994).

  Millman, Sidney, Ed. A History of Engineering and Science in the Bell System: Communications Sciences

  1925-1980 (AT&T Bell Laboratories, 1984).

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  1947-03-21

  maker

  Bell Telephone Laboratories

  ID Number

  1983.3018.07.02

  nonaccession number

  1983.3018

  catalog number

  1983.3018.07.02

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• Schematic for the Computer System X-66744, Bell Telephone Laboratories

  Description

  The computing collection contains several schematics of the computer system X-66744, created by Samuel B. Williams and George Stibitz at Bell Telephone Laboratories in New York City. Williams and Stibitz designed a series of six electromechanical relay computers between 1939 and 1949. The X-66744 was fifth in the series of computers, later called Models I through VI, which were deployed in defense efforts, including executing calculations for antiaircraft guns at federal agencies and military research hubs. This computer was one of two duplicate Model V versions created between 1946 and 1947. The Model V computers were sophisticated digital calculating machines that employed about 9,000 telephone relays for switching elements and paper tape for programming. They could perform multiple calculations using floating point numbers and contained a system for self-checking errors. The Model V represented the limits of what was possible with electromechanical relay technology for the time. Even though relays would fail intermittently, the self-checking system and ability to automatically switch to other calculations afforded the machine its reliable reputation and impressive track record for continuous around-the-clock operation.

  In 1946, the x-66744 was delivered to the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) in Langley Field, Virginia. Then, in 1958 it was given to Texas Technical College, although according to a 1963 article in The Bell System Technical Journal, the machine suffered extensive damage in that shipment and its parts were salvaged for the other Model V computer that was in operation at Fort Bliss, Texas and later New Mexico State University at Las Cruces before portions of it were acquired by NMAH. The article erroneously mentions that the latter computer was transferred to the University of Arizona rather than New Mexico State University. See the Model V (or Model 5) Control Panel in the NMAH collection (1987.0821.01).

  References:

  Andrews, E.G. “Telephone Switching and the Early Bell Laboratories Computers.” The Bell System

  Technical Journal 42:2 March 1963): 341 – 353.

  Ceruzzi, Paul. Reckoners: The Prehistory of the Digital Computer from Relays to the Stored Program

  Concept, 1935-1945 (Westport, CT: Greenwood Press 1983).

  Kidwell, Peggy and Paul Ceruzzi. Landmarks in Digital Computing (Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian

  Institution Press, 1994).

  Millman, Sidney, Ed. A History of Engineering and Science in the Bell System: Communications Sciences

  1925-1980 (AT&T Bell Laboratories, 1984).

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  1947-03-31

  maker

  Bell Telephone Laboratories

  ID Number

  1983.3018.19.04

  nonaccession number

  1983.3018

  catalog number

  1983.3018.19.04

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• Documentation, Calculator and Digital Clock S100 Bus Users Manual

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  1977

  ID Number

  2012.3060.37

  nonaccession number

  2012.3060

  catalog number

  2012.3060.37

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• Leaflet, IBM System/360 Reference Data

  Description

  This green cardboard leaflet provides data on the IBM System/360 computer. It was used by the donor, programmer David A. Studebaker. It has form number X20-1. 03-3

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  ca 1966

  maker

  IBM

  ID Number

  2014.3067.04

  nonaccession number

  2014.3067

  catalog number

  2014.3067.04

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• Schematic for the Computer System X-66744, Bell Telephone Laboratories

  Description

  The computing collection contains several schematics of the computer system X-66744, created by Samuel B. Williams and George Stibitz at Bell Telephone Laboratories in New York City. Williams and Stibitz designed a series of six electromechanical relay computers between 1939 and 1949. The X-66744 was fifth in the series of computers, later called Models I through VI, which were deployed in defense efforts, including executing calculations for antiaircraft guns at federal agencies and military research hubs. This computer was one of two duplicate Model V versions created between 1946 and 1947. The Model V computers were sophisticated digital calculating machines that employed about 9,000 telephone relays for switching elements and paper tape for programming. They could perform multiple calculations using floating point numbers and contained a system for self-checking errors. The Model V represented the limits of what was possible with electromechanical relay technology for the time. Even though relays would fail intermittently, the self-checking system and ability to automatically switch to other calculations afforded the machine its reliable reputation and impressive track record for continuous around-the-clock operation.

  In 1946, the x-66744 was delivered to the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) in Langley Field, Virginia. Then, in 1958 it was given to Texas Technical College, although according to a 1963 article in The Bell System Technical Journal, the machine suffered extensive damage in that shipment and its parts were salvaged for the other Model V computer that was in operation at Fort Bliss, Texas and later New Mexico State University at Las Cruces before portions of it were acquired by NMAH. The article erroneously mentions that the latter computer was transferred to the University of Arizona rather than New Mexico State University. See the Model V (or Model 5) Control Panel in the NMAH collection (1987.0821.01).

  References:

  Andrews, E.G. “Telephone Switching and the Early Bell Laboratories Computers.” The Bell System

  Technical Journal 42:2 March 1963): 341 – 353.

  Ceruzzi, Paul. Reckoners: The Prehistory of the Digital Computer from Relays to the Stored Program

  Concept, 1935-1945 (Westport, CT: Greenwood Press 1983).

  Kidwell, Peggy and Paul Ceruzzi. Landmarks in Digital Computing (Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian

  Institution Press, 1994).

  Millman, Sidney, Ed. A History of Engineering and Science in the Bell System: Communications Sciences

  1925-1980 (AT&T Bell Laboratories, 1984).

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  1948-02-02

  maker

  Bell Telephone Laboratories

  ID Number

  1983.3018.28

  nonaccession number

  1983.3018

  catalog number

  1983.3018.28

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• Documentation, IBM System/360 Conversions Aids: The 1401/1460 Emulator Program for IBM System/360 Model 40

  Description

  A set of sheets, with punched holes along the left side, printed by IBM in April, 1966, as Form C28-6561-3. In addition, there is an IBM Technical Newsletter from September 12, 1966 that amends this publication.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  maker

  IBM

  ID Number

  2014.3067.07

  nonaccession number

  2014.3067

  catalog number

  2014.3067.07

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

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