Artifact Details

Title

COMIC computer

Catalog Number

102733482

Type

Physical object

Description

This object is a COMIC colorant-mixing analog computer that found the mixture of a set of dyes or pigments to match a given sample of dyed fabric, colored plastic, or paint.

The front top-half of the artifact consists of a pale-grey control panel populated by two rows of black knobs along the top, a cluster of four and then two rows of black knobs along the left-side, and two rows of black knobs towards the panel bottom. There is a green circular display screen at the center of the control panel.

To the right of the screen is a small door that reads "COLORANT MIXTURE COMPUTER / DAVIDSON AND HEMMENDINGER / EASTON, PENNSYLVANIA". A "D&H" logo is printed in the middle of the text. A small silver and red label is affixed to the top-corner of the door that reads "PROPERTY OF / Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute." Below the small door is a column of five colorant plug-ins attached to silver colored handles. Below the control panel are two dark-grey metal doors that open to display various components.

The back of the artifact consists of two dark-grey vented metal panels. The panels are attached by Philips-head screws. A red sticker is affixed just below the left panel that reads "110 volts". The power cord is extant and stored behind the vented panels. The cord's insulation is damaged in several places, exposing bare wire.

Date

circa 1958

Manufacturer

Davidson and Hemmendinger

Place Manufactured

Easton, Pennsylvania

Identifying Numbers

Model number	10B	Located on label affixed to inside of 'colorant mixture computer' door
Other number	10277	Located on silver label affixed to outside of 'colorant mixture computer' door
Serial number	1-042	Located on label affixed to inside of 'colorant mixture computer' door