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
-
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
-
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
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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
-
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
-
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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Exidy Sorcerer Personal Computer
- Description
- Exidy, a leading manufacturer of home and arcade video games, introduced its Sorcerer home computer in 1978. The Sorcer used a Z-80 processor that ran at 2.106 MHz and came with 8 KB of RAM, which could be expanded to 32 KB. It ran the CP/M operating system. It sold for $898 with 8 KB of RAM, $1150 with 16 KB of RAM, and $1395 with 32 KB of RAM. It also contained 4 K of ROM. Programs were loaded with plug-in ROM cartridges, and the machine came with a standard BASIC cartridge. This was essentially the common Microsoft BASIC already widely used in the CP/M world. But Exidy added a number of one-stroke commands that allowed users to type in common instructions such as PRINT with a single keystroke. Another popular cartridge contained an early version of the word processor Spellbinder. Users could connect the machine to a standard TV, but the company also offered its own Exidy "Video/Disk" monitor for $2,995.
- Judged against its competitors, the Commodore PET and Radio Shack TRS-80, the Sorcerer was comparatively advanced when it appeared. Due to a lack of marketing in the United States, however, it did not sell well there. It did better in Europe and Australia. Exidy took the machine off the market in 1980.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1978-1980
- maker
- Exidy, Inc.
- ID Number
- 1993.0546.01
- catalog number
- 1993.0546.01
- accession number
- 1993.0546
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Ted Kennedy
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1960s-1980s
- depicted (sitter)
- Kennedy, Edward M.
- Associated Name
- Run DMC
- Perkins, Carl
- Smith, Howard K.
- Nixon, Patricia
- maker
- Regan, Ken
- ID Number
- 2013.0327.1220
- accession number
- 2013.0327
- catalog number
- 2013.0327.1220
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
John Campo
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1981-05-18
- photographer
- Regan, Ken
- ID Number
- 2014.0112.231
- catalog number
- 2014.0112.231
- accession number
- 2014.0112
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
Apple IIGS Personal Computer
- Description
- The computers in the Apple II family were among the most popular personal computers in the late 1970s and 1980s. The last model and most impressive of the Apple II family was the Apple II GS (GS=graphics + sound). When it was released in September of 1986—Apple's 10th anniversary—at the price of $999 (without a monitor—or $1498 with an RGB monitor), the Apple II GS competed against other computers such as the Commodore Amiga and the Atari ST.
- The Apple II GS used the Western Design Center 65816 16 bit microprocessor, which ran at 2.8 Mhz. It had 256 KB of RAM, which could be expanded to 8 MB. There were seven slots to accommodate an expansion of memory. It was the first computer to utilize the Apple Desktop Bus (ADB) which linked standard input device such as keyboards, mice, and graphics tablets. This made it possible for Apple to sell a single set of peripherals that both the Apple Computer and later the Macintosh could use. The IIGS display had a 600 X 200 pixel mode with 2-bit palletized cooler and a 320 X 200 pixel mode with a 4-bit palletized color. The Apple II GS could display 256 colors on the screen. Its ProDOS 16 as system software allowed users to handle any number of open files at the same time.
- The IIGS seemed well positioned to capture a large market. However, by the time it was released, Apple was putting its energy into developing the Macintosh and the IIGS suffered from limited marketing. Apple discontinued the line in December 1992.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1986
- maker
- Apple Computer
- ID Number
- 1998.0199.01
- catalog number
- 1998.0199.01
- accession number
- 1998.0199
- 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
- 2014.0112.540
- catalog number
- 2014.0112.540
- accession number
- 2014.0112
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
IBM PCjr Personal Computer
- Description
- After the success of the IBM's business PC, IBM attempted to capture the home market with the IBM PCjr. The PCjr system was compact, low cost, and designed for applications related to learning, entertainment, and personal productivity.
- The computer had an Intel 8088 microprocessor that ran at 4.77 MHz–faster than most systems on the market at the time. It 64 KB of RAM, which could be expanded to 256 KB and later to 720 KB with third party add-ons. It featured an internal 5 1/4" floppy drive and a wireless keyboard. King's Quest, a popular Adventure game of the 1980s, debuted on the PCjr.
- Despite a flashy debut and a strong technology core, the PCjr flopped in the market. Consumers were not as attracted by the IBM name as business had been. Price was a major factor. The PCjr cost about the same as the Coleco Adam, but for the price, the Adam included two tape drives, a printer, and software. The PCJr was twice as expensive as the Commodore 64. With the exception of the Apple II, it was possible to purchase a complete system (computer, disk drive, and printer) from almost any of IBM's competitors for less money. However, criticism of the system focused on the "chiclet" keyboard. Similar to that of a pocket calculator, the small keys were cheap and difficult to use for touch typing. IBM later replaced this with a wireless conventional-sized keyboard. But it could only be used two or three feet away from the machine and drained batteries quickly.
- Announced in November 1983 and available in March 1984, IBM sold the PCJr for $669 with 64 KB RAM, and $1,269 for 128 KB RAM. The more expensive system also included a floppy-disk drive. IBM discontinued the PCjr in March of 1985 after selling only approximately 270,000 units.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1983
- maker
- IBM
- ID Number
- 2002.0090.01
- catalog number
- 2002.0090.01
- accession number
- 2002.0090
- 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
-
Return of the Jedi
- Description (Brief)
- This metal lunch box was manufactured by Thermos in 1983. The lunch box has a blue rim and animated scenes from the movie Star Wars: Return of the Jedi on all sides. Star Wars: Return of the Jedi was released in 1983 as the final film in the original Star Wars trilogy. The box features images of the half-constructed Death Star, a Star Destroyer, and Darth Vader’s face on one side, while the reverse side has a picture of Luke Skywalker and a Gamorrean guard.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1983
- maker
- King Seeley Thermos
- ID Number
- 2004.3009.10.01
- nonaccession number
- 2004.3009
- catalog number
- 2004.3009.10.01
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
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
- 2014.0112.541
- catalog number
- 2014.0112.541
- accession number
- 2014.0112
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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