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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Page 8 of 22
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Software and Documentation, MSP-01 by Misosys
- Description
- This software and documentation for the TRS-80 was published by Misosys of Virginia in 1982. MSP-01 (Misosys Support Package 01), developed by Roy Soltoff and Scott A. Loomer, was a collection of four utility programs to enhance the use of LDOS. (LDOS was an 8-bit operating system for Z80 based computers.) The utilities were DOAUTO, DOCONFIG, MEMDIR, and PARMDIR.
- References:
- An interview with Roy Soltoff conducted by Smithsonian curator Dr. Jon Eklund, is in the NMAH Archives Center.
- http://www.tim-mann.org/misosys.html
- [Last accessed 6/12/2019]
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1982
- ID Number
- 2012.3098.039
- catalog number
- 2012.3098.039
- nonaccession number
- 2012.3098
- serial number
- 230125
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Software and Documentation, PRO-CESS/CMDFILE by Misosys
- Description
- This software and documentation for the TRS-80 was published by Misosys of Virginia from 1979/1983. PRO-CESS/CMDFILE, developed by Roy Soltoff, was a file maintenance tool. According to the documentation, the software “gives capabilities to load module maintenance never before possible. PRO-CESS/CMDFILE does it all: rapidly, totally, and economically!”
- References:
- An interview with Roy Soltoff conducted by Smithsonian curator Dr. Jon Eklund, is in the NMAH Archives Center.
- http://www.tim-mann.org/misosys.html
- [Last accessed 6/12/2019]
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1979-1983
- ID Number
- 2012.3098.040
- catalog number
- 2012.3098.040
- nonaccession number
- 2012.3098
- serial number
- 520034
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Software and Documentation, PRO-GENY by Misosys
- Description
- This software and documentation for the TRS-80 was published by Misosys of Virginia from 1982/1983. PRO-GENY, developed by Roy Soltoff, was a collection of four utility programs to further enhance the use of LDOS. (LDOS was an 8-bit operating system for Z80 based computers.) The utilities were DOCONFIG, MEMDIR, PARMDIR, and SWAP.
- See also 2012.3098.039
- References:
- An interview with Roy Soltoff conducted by Smithsonian curator Dr. Jon Eklund, is in the NMAH Archives Center.
- http://www.tim-mann.org/misosys.html
- [Last accessed 6/12/2019]
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1982-1983
- ID Number
- 2012.3098.041
- catalog number
- 2012.3098.041
- nonaccession number
- 2012.3098
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Software and Documentation, PRO-PaDS by Misosys
- Description
- This software and documentation was published by Misosys of Virginia in 1982. PRO-PaDS, developed by Roy Soltoff, was a partitioned data set utility program for LDOS/TRSDOS version 6.
- References:
- An interview with Roy Soltoff conducted by Smithsonian curator Dr. Jon Eklund, is in the NMAH Archives Center.
- http://www.tim-mann.org/misosys.html
- [Last accessed 6/12/2019]
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1982
- ID Number
- 2012.3098.042
- catalog number
- 2012.3098.042
- nonaccession number
- 2012.3098
- serial number
- 220045
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Software and Documentation, MBASIC Computer Assisted Instruction by Newline Software
- Description
- This software for Heath/Zenith computers, was developed by F. Dacey and published by Newline Software in 1983. The four 5.25” diskettes contained the computer-assisted instruction course in the MSBASIC language. According to the instruction sheet, when the user completed the 24 lessons, “you should be able to begin programming your own applications in MBASIC.” In 1983 the software sold for $59.95 (approximately $154 in 2019 dollars).
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1982
- ID Number
- 2012.3098.043
- catalog number
- 2012.3098.043
- nonaccession number
- 2012.3098
- serial number
- 00450
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Software and Documentation, Video Artist Plus by Newline Software
- Description
- This software for Heath/Zenith computers, was published by Newline Software in 1982. Video Artist Plus was a set of menu-driven graphics utility programs for creating and saving “graphics pictures.” In 1982 the software sold for $39.95 (approximately $106 in 2019 dollars).
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1981-1982
- ID Number
- 2012.3098.044
- catalog number
- 2012.3098.044
- nonaccession number
- 2012.3098
- serial number
- 00435
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Software, The WORD Plus by Oasis Systems.
- Description
- This software was developed in 1981 by Wayne Holder, Oasis Systems and licensed to Non-Linear Systems, Inc. for Kaypro computers. Word Plus was a spell-check program with automatic correction for computers running CP/M operating system.
- References:
- “InfoWorld,” August 2, 1982, p. 52-53. (Software review)
- http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/1624/Kaypro-The-Word-Plus/
- http://www.thecomputerarchive.com/Manuals/The%20Word%20Plus%20-%20Oasis%20Systems.pdf
- [Last accessed 6/12/2019]
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1981
- ID Number
- 2012.3098.045
- catalog number
- 2012.3098.045
- nonaccession number
- 2012.3098
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Software
- Description
- This box contains fifteen 8" floppy disk in sleeves. Many of the disks are marked Ohio Scientific (also known as Ohio Scientific Instruments), an American computer company that was located in Hiram, Ohio. They built and sold microcomputers from 1975 to 1981.
- The disks labels are:
- Ohio Scientific CP/M V2.25, 051-01116
- Accounting System MASTER "Copy"
- Ohio Scientific C3 UTILITIES, JUL 23 1980
- Ohio Scientific DEMO DISK, JUL 23 1980
- Ohio Scientific OS-65D V3.2, 80-0776, JUL 24 1980
- Ohio Scientific OS-65D V3.2, 80-0776, JUL 24 1980 (2nd copy)
- Ohio Scientific OS-65U V1.2, LEVEL 1, 80-0757, AUG 5 1980
- Ohio Scientific OS-65U V1.2, LEVEL 1, 80-0757, AUG 5 1980 (2nd copy)
- Ohio Scientific OS-65U v1.44, CD-36/74 (FD)
- Ohio Scientific OS-65U v1.44, CD-36/74 (HD)
- Ohio Scientific OS-DMS GENERAL LEDGER, 80-0165-F, SEP 30 1980
- Ohio Scientific OS-DMS NUCLEUS, 80-0453-A, SEP 30 1980
- Ohio Scientific OS-DMS PLANNER, 80-0023, NOV 20 1980
- Ohio Scientific OS-DMS SORT, 80-0453-A, SEP 30 1980
- wp-3 Serial, SAMPLE Prototype, S TABS TABD INSERT
- Reference:
- http://www.technology.niagarac.on.ca/people/mcsele/hobby/vintage-ohio-scientific-computers/
- [Last accessed 6/12/2019]
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1980
- maker
- Ohio Scientific
- ID Number
- 2012.3098.046
- catalog number
- 2012.3098.046
- nonaccession number
- 2012.3098
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Software and Documentation, Relational Systems Corporation, Personal Pearl
- Description
- This software program, Personal Pearl, released in 1982 by Pearlsoft, a division of Relational Database International Systems, Inc. of Salem, Oregon, was distributed as "approved software" with Osborne computers. The binder contains the user's guide, reference card, update sheet, and seven 5.25" diskettes.
- Personal Pearl was a database and report generation program for computers running the CP/M operating system. It was an easy to use menu-driven program for designing data entry forms and reports. One notable feature was the ability to identify common fields in multiple databases so that data updated in one database was updated in all databases. The software came with ready to use databases for appointment calendar, contact information directory, mailing list, and accounting journals.
- References:
- "InfoWorld," September 27, 1982, p. 38. (Advertisement)
- "InfoWorld," March 28, 1983, p. 88-92. (Product review)
- Pearlsoft, is a division of Relational Systems International Corporation of Salem, Oregon
- http://www.cs.grinnell.edu/Personal%20Pearl%20Software%20and%20User%20Manual
- [last accessed 6-18-2019]
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1982
- maker
- Relational Database Systems, Inc.
- ID Number
- 2012.3098.047
- catalog number
- 2012.3098.047
- nonaccession number
- 2012.3098
- serial number
- 3828
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Software, Perfect Software, Inc., Perfect Writer
- Description
- This software program, Perfect Writer, released in 1982 by Perfect Software, Inc. was for Kaypro computers. The software was on four 5.25" diskettes.
- Perfect Writer was a full featured word processing program with all the standard elements. This version also provided the ability to edit documents larger than the computer's memory (up to 200 pages) by using virtual memory. Other features included the capability to restore the user's last deletion by using a recall command, form letter design tools, and the automatic generation of footnotes, indices, and table of contents. In 1982 the program sold for $389 ($1,032 in 2019 dollars).
- Reference:
- "InfoWorld," May 24, 1982, p. 7 (Advertisement)
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1982
- ID Number
- 2012.3098.048
- catalog number
- 2012.3098.048
- nonaccession number
- 2012.3098
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Desktop Plan for Apple Computer
- Description
- Desktop Plan was software for the Apple II computer written by Don Williams in 1980 and distributed by Personal Software, Inc., of Sunnyvale, California. The documentation binder includes a 5.25" diskette and a user manual. With Desktop Plan, the development of business analysis reports such as budgets, cost/price analysis, sales forecasts, profit/loss projections, and cash flow planning could be completed quickly and easily. Customized reports could be used to test many alternatives by simply changing data values. The software required no programming knowledge--the user selected functions from a menu and answered the follow-up questions.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1980
- maker
- Personal Software, Inc.
- ID Number
- 2012.3098.049
- catalog number
- 2012.3098.049
- nonaccession number
- 2012.3098
- serial number
- 3891
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Software and Documentation, Tallymaster by Prosoft, Inc.
- Description
- Tallymaster was software for the TRS-80 Model I and III written by Chuck Tesler for Prosoft, Inc. of North Hollywood, California. The binder includes advertisements for other Prosoft products, product catalogs, a user manual, a 5.25" software disk, and an invoice from JMG Software International to Jon Eklund (curator at the National Museum of American History from 1967-1999). Tallymaster was a financial analysis and management tool designed for small businesses and personal use. It performed the functions of a general ledger except that Tallymaster was interactive - the results from arithmetic operations were updated immediately on the screen. Data could be sorted, graphed, printed, and saved. Dr. Eklund purchased this software in June of 1984 for $55.00 (approximately $136 in 2019 dollars).
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1983
- ID Number
- 2012.3098.051
- catalog number
- 2012.3098.051
- nonaccession number
- 2012.3098
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Software and Documentation, WatchWord by S&K Technology, Inc.
- Description
- WatchWord Version 2.1was a software for the Zenith Z100 (or Heath H100) microcomputers and was developed by S&K Technology, Inc. of San Antonio, Texas, in 1984. The package includes a 5.25" disk, two product brochures, and a questionnaire. WatchWord was a word processing and editing tool developed to run on microcomputers running either ZDOS or MSDOS operating systems. It was created for use by beginner, intermediate, and advanced level users. Basic key functions were available for all users and it provided the ability to assign 20 different keystroke sequences to other keys. Advanced users could create their own command files for repeatable sequences of keystrokes (called macros). A status line at the bottom of the screen kept track of the cursor position, line number, file size, file name, operation mode, and the current time. WatchWord provided built-in support for many common printers. In 1984 the software sold for $100 (approximately $246 in 2019 dollars).
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1984
- ID Number
- 2012.3098.052
- catalog number
- 2012.3098.052
- nonaccession number
- 2012.3098
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Software and Documentation, Computer Discovery Instructor's Guide by Science Research Associates, Inc.
- Description
- The Computer Discovery Instructor's Guide, released by Tandy Corporation in the early 1980s for the Radio Shack TRS-80 Model III, included six 5.25" disks and the instructor's manual. The programs and guide were developed by Science Research Association, Inc. (SRA) for school systems interested in developing a computer literacy curriculum. The objective was to expose the students to "programming concepts and social issues related to computers." SRA provided the teacher with a lesson plan for teaching students the basics of computer operations and how to program in PASCAL. The package included two student workbooks, for junior high and senior high school levels. According to the guide, students did not need advanced knowledge of mathematics, in fact the course could be taken by "students who never expect to see a computer after graduation."
- Science Research Association, Inc., also known as SRA, was a publisher of educational products, perhaps best known for their iconic SRA Reading Laboratory Kit. In 1964 the company was acquired by IBM who sold the company in 1988 to Maxwell Communication Corporation. By 1989 the brand and products had been acquired by McGraw-Hill.
- References:
- [Last accessed 2019-07-18.]
- https://www.ibm.com/ibm/history/history/year_1964.html
- https://www.ibm.com/ibm/history/history/year_1988.html
- https://www.britannica.com/place/Canary-Islands
- https://www.nytimes.com/1989/05/18/business/mcgraw-hill-and-maxwell-form-venture.html?mtrref=en.wikipedia.org&gwh=FF3B535F59E11D48477604C9DF7D6B14&gwt=pay
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1983
- 1981-1983
- maker
- Science Research Assoc. Inc.
- Tandy Corporation
- ID Number
- 2012.3098.053
- catalog number
- 2012.3098.053
- nonaccession number
- 2012.3098
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Software, SofTech Microsystems, UCSD p-System
- Description
- The UCSD p-System was a portable operating system first developed at the University of California, San Diego, in the 1970s. It was designed to run on any computer and provided the foundation to run any Pascal programmed application. The commercial version was developed and sold by SofTech Microsystems of San Diego, California. Their workforce included many former UCSD students from the p-System project. SoftTech marketed it as a competing operating system to DOS.
- References: [last accessed 7-3-2019]
- http://www.threedee.com/jcm/psystem/
- https://ucsdnews.ucsd.edu/pressrelease/remembering_kenneth_bowles
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1983
- ID Number
- 2012.3098.054
- catalog number
- 2012.3098.054
- nonaccession number
- 2012.3098
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Apple Macintosh Mouse
- Description
- Invented in 1963, the mouse improved interactions with computers. However, not until 1984, when Apple Computers introduced the Macintosh and its graphical user interface, did the mouse become a standard computer component.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1984
- maker
- Apple Computer
- ID Number
- 1985.3011.01.1
- catalog number
- 1985.3011.01.1
- nonaccession number
- 1985.3011
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Advertising Button, IBM, Personal Computer
- Description
- This circular button has black text on a white background, as well as a red heart that serves as a symbol for the word love. The text reads: I (Heart) my IBM Personal Computer.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- c 1981
- c 1984
- maker
- IBM
- ID Number
- 2009.3071.001
- catalog number
- 2009.3071.001
- nonaccession number
- 2009.3071
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Advertising Button, IBM, Personal Computer
- Description
- This circular button has black text on a white background. It reads: The IBM Personal Computer. It also has an image of a brown cane, black bowler hat, and black moustache; all associated with the film star Charlie Chaplin.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- c 1984
- c 1981
- maker
- IBM
- ID Number
- 2009.3071.002
- catalog number
- 2009.3071.002
- nonaccession number
- 2009.3071
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Advertising Button, IBM, Personal Computer
- Description
- This circular button has black text on a white background. It reads: The IBM Personal Computer. It also has a black and white image of Charlie Chaplin standing next to a table with an IBM desktop computer on it. A red flower is part of the image.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- c 1981
- maker
- IBM
- ID Number
- 2009.3071.003
- catalog number
- 2009.3071.003
- nonaccession number
- 2009.3071
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Advertising Button, IBM, PC jr
- Description
- This circular button has black text on a white background. It reads: The easy one for everyone. Red text on a white background reads: IBM PC jr. The button also shows Charlie Chaplin reclining with a cane.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- c 1984
- maker
- IBM
- ID Number
- 2009.3071.004
- catalog number
- 2009.3071.004
- nonaccession number
- 2009.3071
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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