Guide to the West Coast Computer Faire Collection

Scope and Contents

Collection is divided into two series: 1977 Faire Materials and 1980 Faire Materials. In some instances, the dates associated with the materials are recorded. Otherwise, all materials are dated 1977 or 1980. The 1977 and 1980 Faires were held at the San Francisco Civic Auditorium and Brooks Hall. The programs for the faires include the schedule at a glance, list of sessions, advertisements, lists of exhibitors and booth, and the conference proceedings from previous fairs. The materials contain product literature for computer hardware and software, publications, newsletters, journals, advertisements, and other computer-related information. The fairs included papers, talks, demonstrations, and exhibits.

Arrangement

The collection organized into two series.

Biographical / Historical

The West Coast Computer Faire was an annual computer industry conference and exposition that was often held in San Francisco. The first faire was held in 1977 at the San Francisco Auditorium and Brooks Hall. It was organized by Jim Warren and Bob Reiling. At the time it was the biggest computer show in the world, intended to popularize the personal computer in the home. However, Apple stopped exhibiting at the West Coast Computer Faire, refusing to exhibit at any show other than COMDEX that also had PC based exhibits. In 1983, Warren sold the rights to the Faire for US$3 million to Prentice Hall, who later sold it to Sheldon Adelson, the owner of Interface Group and COMDEX. In total, sixteen shows were held, with the last in 1992. The Fifth West Coast Computer Faire was held from March 14-16, 1980 in San Francisco and its focus was intelligent machines for home, business and industry.