National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Computers, Information and Society Search this
Extent:
43.5 Cubic feet (158 boxes)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Audiotapes
Interviews
Oral history
Sound recordings
Transcripts
Videotapes
Date:
1969-1973, 1977
Summary:
The Computer Oral History Collection (1969-1973, 1977), was a cooperative project of the American Federation of Information Processing Societies (AFIPS) and the Smithsonian Institution. This project began in 1967 with the main objective to collect, document, house, and make available for research source material surrounding the development of the computer.
Scope and Contents:
This collection consists of approximately 43.5 cubic feet of material documenting the development of the computer.
ABC -- Atanasoff-Berry Computer
ACE -- Automatic Computing Engine
ACM -- Association for Computing Machinery
ALGOL -- ALGOLrithmic Language
ALWAC -- Axel Wenner-Gren Automatic Computer
ARPA -- Advanced Research Projects Agency
BACAIC -- Boeing Airplane Company Algebraic Interpretative Computing System
BARK -- Binar Automatisk Rela Kalkylator
BINAC -- Binary Automatic Computer
BIZMAC -- Business Machine
BMEW -- Ballistic Missile Early Warning (System)
BUIC -- Back-up Interceptor Control
CADAC -- Cambridge Digital Automatic Computer
CALDIC -- California Digital Computer
CEC -- Consolidated Electrodynamics Corporation
CEIR -- Council for Economic and Industry Research
COBOL -- Common Business-Oriented Language
CODASYL -- Conference on Data Systems Languages
CONAC -- Continental Automatic Command
COMTRAN -- Commercial Translator
CPC -- Card Programmed Calculator
CRC -- Computer Response Corporation
DARPA -- Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
DINA -- Digital Network Analyzer
DDA -- Digital Differential Analyzer
EDSAC -- Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Calculator
EDVAC -- Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer
EAM -- Electric [or Electronic] Accounting Machines [or Methods]
ENIAC -- Electronic Numerical Integrator and Automatic Computer
ERA -- Engineering Research Associates
ERMA -- Electronic Recording and Machine Accounting
FADAC -- Field Artillery Data Computer
FSQ -- Fixed Special eQuipment
IAS -- Institute for Advanced Study (Princeton University)
ICBM -- Intercontinental Ballistic Missile
ILLIAC -- Illinois Automatic Computer
INTERCOM -- Intercommunication System (Programming Language)
JOHNNIAC -- John [von Neumann's ] Integrator and Automatic Computer
JOSS -- Johnniac [John's Integrator and Automatic Computer] Open Shop System
LARK -- Livermore Atomic Research Computer
LAS -- Laboratories of Applied Science
LGP -- Librascope
MAC -- Magnetic Automatic Calculator/Multiple Access Computer
MADDIDA -- Magnetic Drum Digital Differential Analyzer
MAGIC -- Machine for Automatic Graphics Interface to a Computer
MANIAC -- Mathematical Analyzer, Numerical Integrator, and Computer
MIDAC -- Michigan [University of] Digital Automatic Computer
MIDSAC -- Michigan [University of} Digital Special Automatic Computer
MINAC -- Minimal Automatic Computer
MIT -- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
MITRE -- Massachusetts Institute of Technology Research Establishment
MX -- Missile, Experimental
NATDAN -- North American Digital Anaylzer
NATPAC -- North American Programmed Automatic Computer
NDRC -- National Defense Research Committee [of Office of Scientific Research and Development, World War II]
NELIAC -- Naval Electronics Laboratory International Algebraic Compiler
NORC -- Naval Ordnance Research Calculator [or computer] [Naval Ordnance Proving Ground]
NTDS -- Naval Tactical Data Systems
ONR -- Office of Naval Research
ORACLE -- Oak Ridge Automatic Computer and Logical Engine
ORDVAC -- Ordnance Discrete Variable Automatic Computer [AEC]
OSRD -- Office of Standard Reference Data [National Bureau of Standards]
PACT -- Project for the Advancement of Coding Techniques
QUAC -- Quadratic Arc Computer
RAMAC -- Random Access Memory Accounting Machine
RAYDAC -- Raytheon Digital Automatic Computer
REAC -- Reeves Electronic Analog Computer
RECOMP -- Reliable COMPuter
RESISTOR -- Reusable Surface Insulation Stresses [NASA computer program]
SCERT -- Systems and Computer Evaluation Review Technique
SCM -- Smith Corona Merchant
SEAC -- U.S. Bureau of Standards Eastern Automatic Computer
SHARE -- Society to Help Avoid Redundant Effort
SHOT -- Society for the History of Technology
SIAM -- Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics
SILLIAC -- Sydney [version of the ] Illiac
SIMSCRIPT -- Simulation Script
SNOBOL -- String-Oriented Symbolic Language
SSEC -- Selective Sequence Electronic Calculator
SUBROC -- Submarine Rocket
SWAC -- U.S. Bureau of Standards Western Automatic Computer
TPM -- Tape Processing Machine
UDEC -- United Digital Electronic Computer
UNIVAC -- Universal Automatic Computer
WEIZAC -- Weizmann Automatic Computer [at Weizmann Institute]
WISC -- Wisconsin Integrally Synchronized Computer
NT=No Transcript
R=Restricted
Arrangement:
The collection is divided into six series.
Series 1: Transcripts, 1967-1973, 1977
Series 2: Supplemental Documentation, 1922-1974
Series 3: Patents, 1940-1973
Series 4: John Vincent Atanasoff's Materials, 1927-1968
Series 5: Audio Tapes, 1967-1974, 1977
Series 6: Video Tapes, 1968-1972
Biographical / Historical:
The Computer Oral History Collection (1969-1973, 1977), was a cooperative project of the American Federation of Information Processing Societies (AFIPS) and the Smithsonian Institution. This project began in 1967 with the main objective to collect, document, house, and make available for research source material surrounding the development of the computer. The project collected taped oral interviews with individuals who figured prominently in developing or advancing the computer field and supplemental written documentation--working papers, reports, drawings, and photographs. The AFIPS provided the "seed" money to support the project and to aid the Smithsonian with its expenditures. Interviews were conducted by I.B. Cohen, A. Dettinger, Bonnie Kaplan, Elizabeth Luebbert, William Luebbert, Robina Mapstone, Richard Mertz, Uta Merzbach, and Henry Tropp. In some instances, the audio tapes and/or transcripts are not "formal" interviews, but rather moderated panel discussions/meetings, or lectures delivered by interviewees.
Related Materials:
The Archives Center contains several "computer" related collections:
American National Standards Institute, 1969-1979
Association for Computing Machinery Collection, 1958-1978 (Washington, D.C., Chapter)
N.W. Ayer Advertsing Agency Records, 1889-1972
Paul Armer Collection, 1949-1970
Robert G. Chamberlain Numerical Control Collection, 1954-1984
J. Childs Numerical Control Collection, 1952-1970
Computer Standards Collection, 1958-1978
Computer World Smithsonian Awards Collection, 1989-2001
Data Processing Digest Collection, 1955-1974
Max Holland Machine Tool Industry Collection, circa 1941-1990
Grace Murray Hopper Collection, 1944-1965
Information Age Exhibition Records, 1979-1990
Institute for Advanced Study Computer Project Records, 1950-1957
Instrument Society of America Collection, 1911-1969
Odex I Walking Robot Collection, 1973-1986
Jacob Rabinow Papers, 1910-1917; 1947-1990
Terry M. Sachs Collection, 1965-1969
Scientists and Inventors Portrait File, circa 1950-1980
Share Numerical Analysis Project Records, 1964-1970
SHARE Records, circa 1954-1984
Cliff Shaw papers, circa 1954-1985
Society for the History of Technology (SHOT) Records, 1956-1992
Warshaw Collection of Business Americana, circa 1754-1965
Whirlwind I Computer Collection, 1945-1959
B.H. Worsley Collection, 1946-1959
Within the National Museum of American History there are other related collections that may be found in the Division of Medicine and Science. These collections contain both artifacts and documents. Artifacts include: digital computing machines, automatic digital computers and electronic calculators, logic devices, card and tape processors, slide rules, integrators and integraphs, harmonic analyzers and synthesizers, differential analyzers, other analog computing devices, space measurement and representation, time measurement, and combination space and time measurement. Documentation includes the Electronic Computers History Collection and the Mathematical Devices History Collection. Photographs and video materials can also be found. The Smithsonian Institution Archives contains administrative documentation regarding the Computer History Project.
Provenance:
The Computer Oral History Collection was a cooperative project of the American Federation of Information Processing Societies (AFIPS) and the Smithsonian Institution. This project began in 1967 and was concluded in 1973. This collection was transferred to the Archives Center in approximately 1986 from the Division of Information, Technology & Society, formerly known as the Division of Electricity.
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but original audio tapes and videotapes are stored off-site. Reference copies do not exist for all of the audiovisual materials. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Computer Oral History Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution
Sponsor:
Online transcripts for select oral history interviews were made possible by the Morton I. Bernstein Fund and the Association for Computing Machinery, the Special Interest Group on Management of Data (SIGMOD), and the Special Interest Group on Programming Languages (SIGPLAN).