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Archives Center, National Museum of American History
Guide to the Computer Oral History Collection
Summary
- Collection ID:
- NMAH.AC.0196
- Creators:
-
Blanch, GertrudeBloch, Richard M.Bradburn, JamesBrainerd, John G.Brown, George W.Brown, Gordon S.Buchholz, WernerBurns, RobertAtanasoff, John V.Atchison, WilliamAuerbach, IssacBartik, JeanBauer, WilliamBeek, AllanBernstein, MortBigelow, JulianColemanCohen, I. BernhardComputer History Forum.COT Meeting.Coombs, JohnCrawford, Perry O.Couret, LynnCampbell, Robert V.Campaigne, HowardCannon, EdwardCanning, R.G.Clem, MaryCass, JamesCODASYL Meeting.Clippinger, Richard F.MIT Club Talks (Brown & Wiener).Andrews, Ernest G.American Federation of Information Processing SocietiesAlt, FranzAlrich, JohnAssociation for Computing Machinery.Association for Computing Machinery.Argonne National Laboratories R.Allard, GerryAiken, HowardAdams, CharlesActon, FormanHalstead, Maurice H.Harmon, LeonHarvey, SamuelHazen, Dean HaroldGruenberger, FredGunning, WilliamHagen, Glenn E.Hall, W.Greenwald, IrwinGreenwarld, SidneyGriswold, Ralph E.Grosch, Herbert R. J.Goheen, Harry E.Good, I.J.Goteib, C.C.Granholm, JacksonIsrael, David R.Huskey, Harry D.Kates, JosefJuncosa, MarioHouseholder, Alston S.Horwitz, Bernhard R.Hurd, Cuthbert R.Howard, BernardHopper, Grace Murray, 1906-1992Holbrook, BernardHorner, JosephHorn, Robert J.Herold, HenryHerget, PaulHolberton, BettyHertz, TedElkins, HaroldEstrin, GeraldEdwards, WaltElbourn, RobertEckert, J. Presper (John Presper), 1919-1995Eddy, Robert PhilipDowney, WilliamEckdahl, DonaldDodd, StephenDotts, Richard D.Dietzhold, RobertDimsdale, BernardDesch, JosephDickinson, Arthur H.Curtiss, John H.Dederick, Louis S.Glazer, T.Givens, WallaceGill, StanleyGeisler, MurrayGarrison, KenFrankel, StanleyForrester, Jay W.Forrest, Cameron B.Forbes, GeorgeFenaughty, Alfred L.Fein, LouisFeign, DavidFarrand, William R.Fall Joint Computer Conference, 12/6/72.Fall Joint Computer Conference, 11/17/71.Everett, RobertNelson, EldredNeisius, VincentNorthrop, JohnNeovius, G.Parker, R.D.Palevsky, MaxPhelps, Byron R.Patrick, RobertPickrell, D.Phister, MontgomeryPollmyer, R.Polachek, HarryQuady, EmmettPostley, John A. R.Rajchman, JanReam, NormanReed, Irving S.Rees, MinaRhodes, IdaRice, RexRochester, NathanielRogers, JimRogers, StanleyRosenberg, MiltonRosenthal, Paul R.Rubinoff, Morris R.Salzer, John M.Samuel, Arthur L. R.Sarkissian, HaroldSchuette, RogerSerrell, Robert R.King, PaulKilpatrick, LesterKillian, JamesKaufold, Leroy R.Lanzarotta, Sandy R.Kreuder, Norman L.Korn, IrvingKirsch, RussellLovell, Clarence A.Lehmer, Derrick H.Legvold, SamLarson, HarryMartin, Richard R.Marden, EthelMadden, Don R.Lowe, JohnMcPherson, John C.Mendelson, JerryMason, Daniel R.Mauchly, John R.Michel, J.G.L. R.Miller, Frederick G.Menzel, Donald H.Metropolis, Nicholas C.Mitchell, JoelMITRE Meeting.Mills, Roger L.Morton, PaulMumford, LouisMock, OwenMorse, Philip B.Wilkinson, James H. R.Wilkes, Maurice R.Wizenbaum, JoeWilliams, CharlesWieselman, IrvingWiener, RobertWild, ArthurWieser, C. RobertWrench, John W. R.Woodger, MichaelYowell, E.C. R.Youtz, PatWoo, Way DongWolfe, PhilipWoodbury, William R.Wood, Ben D.Zemanek, HeinzZuse, KonradSmagorinsky, JosephSlutz, Ralph R.Skramstad, Harold R.Skillman, Sherwood R.SIAM/SIGNUM Meeting.SIAM-72.SHARE XXXVIII.SHARE Meeting for Pioneers.Taylor, NormanTanaka, DavidStrong, JackStibitz, GeorgeSteele, Floyd G. R.Sprague, Richard E.Snyder, SamuelSmith, Charles V.L.TV Program KQED.Uncapher, KeithTorfeh, MarkTravis, IrvenTodd-Tausskky, OlgaTomash, ErwinToben, GregoryTodd, JohnWheeler, R.J.Whirlwind Discussion.Ware, Willis H.Wegstein, Joseph HenryWagner, FrankWang, An R.von Hippel, Arthurvon Neumann, JohnArmer, Paul, 1924- (computer technician)Rabinow, Jacob, 1910-
- Dates:
-
1969-1973, 1977
- Languages:
-
English.
- Physical Description:
-
43.5 Cubic feet158 boxes
- Repository:
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
Scope and Contents
This collection consists of approximately 43.5 cubic feet of material documenting the development of the computer.
Scope and Contents
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
Scope and Contents
NT=No Transcript
R=Restricted
Arrangement
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
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.
Administration
Author
Alison Oswald
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).
Immediate Source of Acquisition
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.
Accruals
Approximately .15 cubic feet of material was added to the collection in January 2016. The material consists of notes, clippings, articles, resumes, and other biographical documentation about interviewees.
Processing Information
Processed by Alison L. Oswald,archivist, March 1996; Revised by Alison Oswald, August 1999; May 2010.
Charlie Bachman and William Olle kindly reviewed and edited the Conference on Data System Languages (CODASYL) Meeting transcript.
Using the Collection
Conditions Governing Use
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.
Conditions Governing Access
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.
Preferred Citation
Computer Oral History Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution
Related Materials
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.
More Information
Other Finding Aids
Other Finding Aids
Interview Abstracts
For a brief overview of the interview contents and for biographical information on the interviewees, researchers should consult the interview abstracts. Not all interviews have abstracts.
Keywords
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
P.O. Box 37012
Suite 1100, MRC 601
Washington, D.C. 20013-7012
Business Number: Phone: 202-633-3270
Fax Number: Fax: 202-786-2453
archivescenter@si.edu