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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Sincerely, Kate Smith 1930-34
- Description (Brief)
- Kate Smith. Sincerely, Kate Smith 1930-34 (Sunbeam P-516)
- 33-1/3 rpm.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1984
- recording artist
- Smith, Kate
- ID Number
- 1985.0607.01
- accession number
- 1985.0607
- catalog number
- 1985.0607.01
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Indiana Jones Lunch Box
- Description
- Metal lunch box with colorful animated scenes from the movie Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom depicted on all sides. A thermos is included.
- Filmmaker George Lucas conceived of Indiana Jones as a globe-trekking archeologist to pay homage to classic Hollywood adventure films. Jones is a reluctant hero who finds himself fighting evil-doers of all sorts while seeking to preserve cultural heritage. The Indiana Jones series, directed by Steven Spielberg, is among the most successful movie franchises in American history.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1984
- performer
- Ford, Harrison
- maker
- King Seeley Thermos
- ID Number
- 2004.3009.14.01
- nonaccession number
- 2004.3009
- catalog number
- 2004.3009.14.01
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Stay Awake: Various Interpretations of Music from Vintage Disney Films
- Description
- Various Artists. Stay Awake: Various Interpretations of Music From Vintage Disney Films (A&M SP 3918).
33-1/3 rpm. - Location
- Currently not on view
- release date
- 1988
- manufacturer
- A&M
- ID Number
- 1996.3034.10018
- catalog number
- 1996.3034.10018
- label number
- SP 3918
- nonaccession number
- 1996.3034
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Sinclair ZX81 Microcomputer
- Description
- The Sinclair ZX-81 was the third microcomputer built by Sinclair but it had limited functionality. It appeared on the market at the right time, though, and enjoyed much popularity. Sinclair teamed with Timex Corporation in Scotland for production. The machine sold in the United States through the American branch of Sinclair Research in Nashua, New Hampshire.
- This example includes not only the microcomputer but a power adapter, earphone and microphone cords, a television adapter, and two manuals.
- This microcomputer illustrates a different approach to design and has a much smaller profile than its peers. The downside was limited functionality. This computer was often used by teenage boys because it was affordable and versatile.
- In 1980, Clive Sinclair created a sensation in Great Britain by introducing a home computer, the Sinclair ZX80, for less than 100 pounds. A year later, he took the American market by storm with the successor Sinclair ZX81, which sold for only $99.95 in kit form, or $149.50 fully assembled. The attraction was low price. The computer was cheap in almost every sense of the word. The computer had only 1K of RAM, which could be expanded to 56K with RAM packs. It had just 8 KB of ROM. It interfaced with a television for video display, and a cassette tape recorder for data storage. The screen output was text only, and only 32 characters wide by 24 high. The keyboard was a "touch sensitive membrane" - essentially switches under a plastic surface. Data entry was slow and laborious, and touch typing was impossible. The ZX-81 had a Z80A microprocessor and used BASIC as its principal programming language.
- Although limited in capability, the ZX81 sold very well, and third party vendors developed a variety of products that provided enhancements or workarounds for many of its limitations. Innovative developers even created a word processor and flight simulator that could run on it.
- Compare the TS 1000, introduced in 1982 (see 1983.0289.01). Also see another ZX-81 (1991.006.01).
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- March 1981 or later
- date made
- ca 1981
- ID Number
- 1994.0398.01
- catalog number
- 1994.0398.01
- accession number
- 1994.0398
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Indiana Jones Thermos
- Description (Brief)
- This red plastic thermos bottle was made by Thermos in 1985. The bottle has a white plastic, screw-on cup lid with handle and a white screw-on stopper with a yellow hinged pouring spout. The front of the thermos is decorated with a colorful cartoon image of Indiana Jones posing in his trademark hat and whip.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1984
- maker
- King Seeley Thermos
- ID Number
- 2004.3009.14.02
- nonaccession number
- 2004.3009
- catalog number
- 2004.3009.14.02
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Ted Kennedy at Courtney Kennedy wedding
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1980
- depicted (sitter)
- Kennedy, Edward M.
- photographer
- Regan, Ken
- ID Number
- 2014.0112.572
- catalog number
- 2014.0112.572
- accession number
- 2014.0112
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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The Secret of Nimh Lunch Box
- Description (Brief)
- This tin lunch box was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in 1982. This lunch box is brown, green and yellow and features the characters from the 1982 cartoon movie, The Secret of Nimh.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1982
- maker
- Aladdin Thermos Company
- ID Number
- 2001.3087.34
- nonaccession number
- 2001.3087
- catalog number
- 2001.3087.34
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Ted Kennedy and son flying a kite
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1960s-1980s
- depicted (sitter)
- Kennedy, Edward M.
- maker
- Regan, Ken
- ID Number
- 2013.0327.1233
- accession number
- 2013.0327
- catalog number
- 2013.0327.1233
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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The A-Team Lunch Box
- Description (Brief)
- This tin lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1983. This lunch box features the characters from the television series, The A-Team on the exterior. The A-Team ran from 1983-1987 on NBC, and the box shows some of the explosive action that The A-Team was known for.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1983
- maker
- King Seeley Thermos
- ID Number
- 2004.3009.01
- nonaccession number
- 2004.3009
- catalog number
- 2004.3009.01
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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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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Courtney Kennedy wedding
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1980-06-15
- photographer
- Regan, Ken
- ID Number
- 2014.0112.583
- catalog number
- 2014.0112.583
- accession number
- 2014.0112
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Apple Lisa II Personal Computer
- Description
- The Apple Lisa introduced the graphic user interface (GUI) into the Apple Computer Corporation's line of personal computers. Instead of using only text-based commands, users could employ pictorial icons displayed on the screen to initiate operations. Officially, "Lisa" stood for "Local Integrated Software Architecture," but it was also the name of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs' daughter. This computer was also Jobs "baby," as he championed its creation and believed it would revolutionize personal computing. Apple spent four years and $50 million to develop it, but it turned out to be a commercial flop, in large part because of the $10,000 per unit cost. Only 80,000 were eventually sold. The Lisa is most important historically as the computer that pioneered concepts later used in the far more successful Macintosh.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1983
- maker
- Apple Computer
- ID Number
- 2005.0056.01
- catalog number
- 2005.0056.01
- accession number
- 2005.0056
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom Lunch Box
- Description (Brief)
- This tin lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1984. The lunch box features stills from the 1984 film, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom was the second of the Indiana Jones films, but a prequel to Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1984
- performer
- Ford, Harrison
- producer
- Spielberg, Steven
- maker
- Thermos Company
- ID Number
- 2001.3087.35
- nonaccession number
- 2001.3087
- catalog number
- 2001.3087.35
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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The Story of Jazz
- Description (Brief)
- N'Orleans Statesmen Band. The Story of Jaxx (Art of Jazz VPA-AZ-963)
- 33-1/3 rpm.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1983
- maker
- Art of Jazz, Inc.
- ID Number
- 1985.0035.01
- accession number
- 1985.0035
- catalog number
- 1985.0035.01
- maker number
- VPA-AZ-963
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Robert Kennedy funeral
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1980
- depicted (sitter)
- Kennedy, Edward M.
- referenced
- Kennedy, Robert F.
- photographer
- Regan, Ken
- ID Number
- 2014.0112.552
- catalog number
- 2014.0112.552
- accession number
- 2014.0112
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Family Activity Calendar
- Description
- Camilla Lindsay's grandmother made this calendar to keep track of the entire family’s activities. Called “The Board,” it hung in the kitchen and was used to schedule leisure activities, scrawl messages, keep track of phone numbers, etc. Included are three erasable pens, black, blue and red.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1980-1989
- ID Number
- 1998.0010.01
- catalog number
- 1998.0010.01
- accession number
- 1998.0010
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Courtney Kennedy wedding
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1980-06-15
- photographer
- Regan, Ken
- ID Number
- 2014.0112.580
- catalog number
- 2014.0112.580
- accession number
- 2014.0112
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Courtney Kennedy wedding
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1980-06-15
- photographer
- Regan, Ken
- ID Number
- 2014.0112.587
- catalog number
- 2014.0112.587
- accession number
- 2014.0112
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Ted Kennedy and son
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1960s-1980s
- depicted (sitter)
- Kennedy, Edward M.
- maker
- Regan, Ken
- ID Number
- 2013.0327.1229
- accession number
- 2013.0327
- catalog number
- 2013.0327.1229
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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The Tatum Solo Masterpieces
- Description (Brief)
- Art Tatum. The Art Tatum Solo Master[pieces, Vol. II (Pable 2310-864)
- 33-1/3 rpm.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1981
- recording artist
- Turner, Pat
- maker
- Pablo
- ID Number
- 1986.0425.03
- accession number
- 1986.0425
- catalog number
- 1986.0425.03
- maker number
- 2310-864
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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