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 9 of 22
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Advertising Button, SIDEWAYS
- Description
- This circular button has white text on a light blue background. It reads: I Do It SIDEWAYS with My IBM PC. Further text reading "SIDEWAYS" runs from the top to the bottom of button and is printed sideways. Other text reads left to right. Text written in black permanent marker on the reverse side of the button reads: '87?.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- c 1987
- maker
- IBM
- ID Number
- 2009.3071.006
- catalog number
- 2009.3071.006
- nonaccession number
- 2009.3071
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Advertising Button, Microsoft Inc., OS/2
- Description
- This square button has white text on a teal background with white side borders. It reads: Microsoft OS/2 NOW.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- c 1987
- maker
- IBM
- ID Number
- 2009.3071.010
- catalog number
- 2009.3071.010
- nonaccession number
- 2009.3071
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Advertising Button, IBM, Personal System/2
- Description
- This circular button has blue and black text on a white background. It reads: Thanks a million. IBM Personal System/2 TM. It also has the IBM logo.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- c 1987
- maker
- IBM
- ID Number
- 2009.3071.014
- catalog number
- 2009.3071.014
- nonaccession number
- 2009.3071
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Advertising Button, Microsoft Inc., OS/2
- Description
- This square button has a black background with encircled "OS/2" logos in red, yellow, green, grey, and blue.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- c 1981
- c 1992
- maker
- IBM
- ID Number
- 2009.3071.017
- catalog number
- 2009.3071.017
- nonaccession number
- 2009.3071
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Advertising Button, WordPerfect
- Description
- This circular button has blue text on a white background that reads: Join the WordPerfect Party. Campaign 88. The button also has the WordPerfect logo and a half-circle of red stars along the top edge. A mark in black ink on the reverse side reads: Fall CDX '88.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- c 1988
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 2009.3071.033
- catalog number
- 2009.3071.033
- nonaccession number
- 2009.3071
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Advertising Button, Lotus / WordPerfect
- Description
- This square button has a purple background with a white stripe. White text reads: Lotus WordPerfect. The button also includes images from OS/2 and PM. Texst on the reverse reads: Comdex 11/89.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- c 1989
- ID Number
- 2009.3071.035
- catalog number
- 2009.3071.035
- nonaccession number
- 2009.3071
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
National Semiconductor 102C Handheld Electronic Calculator
- Description
- This credit card-sized calculator has a metal case with twenty-three rectangular plastic keys and plastic trim. The keys include ten digit keys, a decimal point key, a total key, four arithmetic function keys, and four memory keys. In addition, the calculator has a clear entry/clear key, a square root key, and a % key. Above the keys on the left is the eight-digit LCD display. A mark below it reads: NSC National Semiconductor 102C. Left of the display are three circles as well as on and off buttons.
- Text at the bottom of the back reads: NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION MIDVALE, UTAH 84047 MADE IN TAIWAN.
- Compare the National Semiconductor 199 (1986.0988.309), a calculator of similar size. This model has a square root key.
- Reference:
- [Advertisement], Elyria Chronicle-Telegram, April 10, 1980, p. 9. Calculator price listed as $12.47.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1980
- maker
- National Semiconductor Corporation
- ID Number
- 1986.0988.308
- catalog number
- 1986.0988.308
- accession number
- 1986.0988
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Unisonic LC-200 Handheld Electronic Calculator
- Description
- This compact, thin handheld electronic calculator has a gold and brown colored metal case and an array of twenty-four rectangular plastic keys. These include ten digit keys, four arithmetic function keys, a decimal point key, and a total key. The calculator also has three memory keys and change sign, square root, percentage, clear entry, and clear keys. The on/off switch is on the left in the top row of keys.
- Behind the keyboard a mark reads: LC-200. Behind it is an eight-digit LCD display. Below the keyboard a mark reads: Unisonic.
- A mark on the back of the calculator reads: Unisonic LC-200 (/) SILVER OXIDE BATTERY (/) 1.5V x 2 PCS 0.00025W (/) MADE IN TAIWAN. Unscrewing two screws at the bottom of the case reveals a green plastic circuit board and two batteries below it. A mark on the board reads: Santron.
- Compare 1986.0988.121.
- For information about Unisonic, see 1986.0988.371.
- Reference:
- [Advertisement], Chicago Tribune, January 4, 1979, p. I8. On sale for $12.99. Price includes case (no case with this example). The placement of the marks and coloring of the calculator shown in the advertisement is more like 1986.0988.121 than this calculator.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1980
- maker
- Unisonic
- ID Number
- 1986.0988.321
- catalog number
- 1986.0988.321
- accession number
- 1986.0988
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Unisonic LC 222 Handheld Electronic Calculator
- Description
- This credit card-sized calculator has a metal case and twenty-three rectangular plastic keys. These include ten digit keys, a decimal point key, a total key, four arithmetic function keys, and four memory keys. The bottom row of keys also has an off key, an on/clear entry/clear key, and a percentage key. A mark above the keyboard reads: Unisonic (/) LC 222. Left of this is an eight-digit liquid crystal display. A mark on the back of the calculator reads: Unisonic LC222C MADE IN TAIWAN. Unscrewing two screws in the back makes it possible to change the two tiny batteries (no batteries in this example), According to the instructions, one should “use quality alkaline batteries such as Maxell [sic] SR 1130. You can expect to get about 1000 hours of continuous operating time for batteries.” A mark on the circuit board reads: LSIT6014 (/) LCD 3001.
- The calculator has a cloth case that also includes the instruction leaflet. It has the title Unisonic LC-222 Ultra Thin LCD Calculator.
- Compare 1987.0435.14.
- For information about Unisonic, see 1986.0988.371.
- References:
- Instruction leaflet.
- [Advertisement], Hartford Courant, December 7, 1980, p. Q10. LC 222 and LC 272 calculators both on sale for $8.99, regularly $11.99.
- [Advertisement]. Los Angeles Times, March 8, 1981, p. SG5. LC 222 calculator on sale for $8.90, regularly $10.90. Neither of these advertisements mentions the LC 222C.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1981
- maker
- Unisonic
- ID Number
- 1986.0988.322
- catalog number
- 1986.0988.322
- accession number
- 1986.0988
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Texas Instruments TI-35 Handheld Electronic Calculator
- Description
- This scientific handheld electronic calculator is has a relatively thin black plastic case with an array of forty small rectangular plastic keys. These include ten digit keys, a decimal point key, and a change sign key (all in white); as well as a total key and four arithmetic function keys (all in black). Further gray keys are for reciprocals, percentage, off, on/clear, sines, cosines, tangents, enter exponent, common logarithms, natural logarithms, powers, a constant, left parenthesis, and right parenthesis. Keys in the leftmost column may take on two functions. These are factorial or clear statistical register, square or square root, inverse function or second meaning of key, summation or removal of unwanted data points, storage or mean, recall or standard deviation, summation or a different standard deviation, and exchange or pi. The marks indicating the function of keys are on the keys, with dual functions indicated above the keys.
- Text above the keys reads: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS TI-35 (/) Constant Memory. Behind the keyboard is an LCD display that shows eight-digit positive and negative numbers or, in scientific notation, a five-digit mantissa and two-digit exponent.
- The calculator has a compartment for two very small batteries. Text on the back reads in part: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS (/) electronic calculator. It also gives the serial number 4541814 and a date mark ATA3682. It also reads: ASSEMBLED IN USA.
- The calculator comes in a black plastic jacket with an instruction manual entitled: Slimline TI 35 scientific calculator. The calculator is part of the Slimline series of Texas Instruments calculators that feature LCD displays.
- Compare 1986.0988.324 (another TI-35) and 1986.0988.087 (the Business Analyst II).
- References:
- [Advertisement], Los Angeles Times, May 19, 1979, p. SD_B8. Lists price of $22.95.
- [Advertisement], Chicago Tribune, January 16, 1980, p. C12. Lists price of $21.99.
- [Advertisement], Los Angeles Times, September 20, 1980, p. SD_B7. Lists price of $22.95.
- [Advertisement], Atlanta Constitution, August 23, 1981, p. L15. Lists regular price of $21.89, sale price of $16.99.
- [Advertisement], Atlanta Constitution, February 7, 1982, p. O7. Lists sale price of $15.99, regular price of $17.89.
- [Advertisement], Washington Post, August 11, 1983, p. C3. Lists sale price of $13.90, regular price $15.50.
- [Advertisement], Los Angeles Times, December 8, 1984, p.C8. Lists price of $19.99, regular price $25.
- [Advertisement], Los Angeles Times, April 30, 1986, p. 7C. Regular price given as $17.99, sale price $14.99.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1982
- maker
- Texas Instruments
- ID Number
- 1986.0988.325
- catalog number
- 1986.0988.325
- accession number
- 1986.0988
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Texas Instruments TI-1031 Handheld Electronic Calculator
- Description
- This handheld electronic calculator has a light tan plastic case and metal keyboard with an array of twenty-four rectangular plastic keys. These include ten digit keys, an on/clear key, a decimal point key, a total key, four arithmetic function keys, an off key, a square root key, a percentage key, and four memory keys. A mark at the top of the keyboard reads: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS. A mark at the base of the keyboard reads TI-1031. Behind the keyboard an eight-digit LCD display.
- The back of the calculator has a compartment for two very small batteries. Text above it reads in part: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS (/) electronic calculator. The space for a serial number is blank. The date mark reads: ATA2881. It also reads: ASSEMBLED IN USA.
- The calculator fits in a light tan plastic jacket. Penciled inside it is the name: JON HAgSTRANd. The instruction leaflet inside the jacket is entitled Texas Instruments TI-1031 Portable Electronic Calculator. The copyright date is 1980.
- Compare 1986.0988.089 (the TI-1030).
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1981
- maker
- Texas Instruments
- ID Number
- 1986.0988.326
- catalog number
- 1986.0988.326
- accession number
- 1986.0988
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
KMC 4000 Handheld Electronic Calculator
- Description
- This compact handheld electronic calculator has a tan and brown plastic case and twenty-five square brown plastic keys. In addition to ten digit keys, a decimal point key, a total key, and four arithmetic function keys, it has four memory keys on the far right. Keys in the top row are labeled: OFF, ON, %, square root, and CE/C. Behind the keyboard is an eight-digit LCD display. A tag at the back reads: KMC (/) 4000 (/) AUTO SHUT OFF.
- The back of the calculator has a compartment for two AA batteries. A tag below this reads: BATTERIES DC 3.0V 0.2mW (/) UM-3 or (/) AA SIZE (/) MADE IN TAIWAN.
- This calculator has some similarity to the SHARP EL-230 although the arrangement of the keys on the keyboard is different.
- According to records of Canadian trademarks, in 1982 Kmart Canada began using the trademark KMC for calculators and other devices sold in its stores. The trademark was registered in 1984 and discontinued in 1999. The KMC mark on the calculator indicates that the trademark is registered. No such trademark, as applied to calculators, is included in the U.S. registry of trademarks. The calculator came to the museum in 1986, hence it appears that this calculator was distributed by Kmart Canada and made in around 1985.
- Reference:
- Web site of the Canadian Intellectual Property Office.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1985
- ID Number
- 1986.0988.333
- catalog number
- 1986.0988.333
- accession number
- 1986.0988
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Caprice MC11 Handheld Electronic Calculator
- Description
- This “ultra-slim” handheld electronic calculator has a metal case with plastic trim and an array of brown plastic keys. It is roughly the size of a credit card. In addition to ten digit keys, it has a decimal point key, a percentage key, four arithmetic function keys, three memory keys, a total key, an off key, an on/clear key, and a clear entry key. The eight-digit liquid crystal display is behind the keyboard to the left. A mark right of the display reads: *MINI CARD MC11 (/) AUTO POWER OFF. A sticker left of the keyboard reads: Caprice (/) Executive. A mark on the back of the calculator reads: Caprice Executive (/) DC 2x1.5V – 0.0006W (/) SILVER OXIDE BATTERY (/) MADE IN HONG KONG.
- Unscrewing the back of the case reveals two squat Toshiba batteries and a flat circuit board. A mark on the chip reads: W9. A mark on the back of the display reads: S C LCD-810SE. A sticker on the back of the circuit board reads: QC 5 (/) PASSED. It has a stylized T at the center.
- The calculator fits in a leather pouch with a paper leaflet of instructions. The instructions are in English, German, and French. No maker’s name is indicated on the pouch or instructions.
- An advertisement in the Spokane Daily Chronicle for July 23, 1979, lists this “new, executive model” as selling for $12.88. The Caprice, described as a “business card” calculator, was advertised in the Syracuse Herald Journal December 15, 1981, as available for $6.99. It was also advertised in the Syracuse Herald-American on January 24, 1982.
- References:
- Spokane Daily Chronicle, July 23, 1979.
- Syracuse Herald-American, January 24, 1982.
- Syracuse Herald Journal, December 15, 1981, p. 6.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1981
- ID Number
- 1986.0988.335
- catalog number
- 1986.0988.335
- accession number
- 1986.0988
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Money Memory 274 Handheld Electronic Calculator
- Description
- This handheld electronic calculator is in the shape of a checkbook, and was designed to assist in balancing accounts. It has a metal case with twenty-five rectangular plastic keys. In addition to ten digit keys, a decimal point key, a clear entry/clear key and a total key, it has a percentage key, a recall key, and deposit, check, and balance keys. The on/off switch is on the left side. Above the keyboard is an LCD display. A mark to the left of the display reads: Money Manager.
- Text on the back reads: Money Memory (/) SILVER OXIDE BATTERY (/) 1.5Vx2PCS 0.0002W (/) MADE IN TAIWAN R.O.C. A sticker on the back reads: 3.1980. Another sticker on the back reads: 274. Both references to Money Manager are marked with a symbol for trademark registration.
- According to U.S. trademark records, the term "Money Memory" for an electronic calculator was first used in commerce in September 7, 1978, and a trademark was requested that year. Registration was granted March 24, 1981, to Leonard P. Weber of Sherman Oaks, CA, and the trademark was abandoned in 1987.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1980
- ID Number
- 1986.0988.336
- catalog number
- 1986.0988.336
- accession number
- 1986.0988
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Advertising Button
- Description
- This circular button has white text on a blue background that reads: I'm talking to SQL Server. LAN Manager Expo E1-E3. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: Fall CDX '88.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- c 1988
- ID Number
- 2009.3071.054
- catalog number
- 2009.3071.054
- nonaccession number
- 2009.3071
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Advertising Button, Artisoft
- Description
- This circular button has black text along the border that reads: LANtastic. End RAM Hunger. It includes an illustration of a goat (ram) eating. Surrounding the ram is a red circle with a slash through it. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: from Artisoft 9/89.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1989
- ID Number
- 2009.3071.061
- catalog number
- 2009.3071.061
- nonaccession number
- 2009.3071
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Advertising Button
- Description
- This circular button has red text on a a grey background that reads: pLAN your Network. A mark on the reverse reads: Comdex 11/89.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- c 1989
- ID Number
- 2009.3071.062
- catalog number
- 2009.3071.062
- nonaccession number
- 2009.3071
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Advertising Button
- Description
- This circular button has black text on a white background that reads: I speak the LANguage of business. A mark on the reverse reads: Networld 9/89.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- c 1989
- ID Number
- 2009.3071.063
- catalog number
- 2009.3071.063
- nonaccession number
- 2009.3071
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Advertising Button, Intel
- Description
- This square button has black text on a white background that reads: Don't 86 Your PC's, "386" Them! It has red, yellow and blue designs. In the upper left is a yellow triangle with white text that reads: intel. A mark on the reverse reads: FOSE '89.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- c 1989
- ID Number
- 2009.3071.104
- catalog number
- 2009.3071.104
- nonaccession number
- 2009.3071
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Advertising Button, Intel
- Description
- This rectangular button has black text on a white background that reads: Get Connected with a Connection CoProcessor. It includes blue and grey triangles and red stripes. In the lower right is a yellow triangle with white text that reads: intel. A mark in black ink on the reverse reads: PC Expo NY 6/89.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- c 1989
- ID Number
- 2009.3071.105
- catalog number
- 2009.3071.105
- nonaccession number
- 2009.3071
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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