The Keith G. Calkins collection on Sigma systems is made up of materials Calkins collected related to the Sigma system of computers and its iterations by SDS, Xerox, Honeywell Inc., and Telefile Computer Products. Materials include program descriptions, manuals, reports, periodicals, TeleXchange administrative records, and EXCHANGE, TeleXchange, and Honeywell Large Systems Users Association (HLSUA) conference proceedings dating from 1969 to 1987, with the bulk of materials from 1972 to 1984.
Biographical/Historical Note
Keith G. Calkins was born in Cadillac, Michigan on February 1, 1958. Most of his education was spent at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan, where he received a BS in mathematics in 1981, an MS in computer information science in 1982, another BS in physics in 1988, a second MS in interdisciplinary studies (math and physics) in 1996, and a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in 2002. Calkins also attended the University of Notre Dame, receiving an MS in physics in 1996 and a PhD in 2005, also in physics. Calkins' work experience includes consulting for Artware, Telefile, and NASA and working in various teaching roles including at Andrews University as an Associate Professor of Math & Science and at Ferris State University as an Adjunct Instructor in the Department of Physical Sciences.
Calkins first worked with Sigma computers during his early years at Andrews University as a Systems Programmer & Hardware Engineer. From 1978 through 1983, Calkins held this job and provided maintenance for Xerox Sigma 6, 7, and 9 computers and performed systems programming using one of the Sigma series' major operating systems, CP-V. From 1984 to 1989, Calkins worked as a software development consultant for Telefile, a company that made computer systems that were compatible with Sigma systems. Since then, Calkins has been involved in documenting and preserving the history and legacy of the Sigma series.
The Sigma systems were a series of computers first introduced by Scientific Data Systems (SDS) in 1966. The first machines in the series were the Sigma 2 and Sigma 7, which, at the time of their release, were competitors to the IBM System/360 family of computers. When SDS was purchased by Xerox in 1969, the firm was re-named Xerox Data Systems (XDS). During the years of XDS, Xerox 500 computers were developed and released as compatible upgrades to the Sigma series. Then, in 1975, Xerox sold its computer business to Honeywell Information Systems, Inc. Honeywell continued support of the Sigma series for a short time, but then discontinued production of Sigma hardware. However, other companies, including Telefile, created clone systems. In 1979, Telefile released the Telefile T-85, an upgraded machine compatible with Sigma systems.
Throughout the Xerox, Honeywell, and Telefile years, users and enthusiasts developed groups around the Sigma series and related computing machines. When Sigma machines were released by Xerox and Honeywell, user groups under the names of EXCHANGE and the Honeywell Large Systems Users Association (HLSUA) operated, holding international meetings and running the Sigma Exchange Users' Group Library (also called XDS Users' Group Program Library). After Honeywell discontinued production of Sigma hardware and other companies started making compatible machines, TeleXchange was created as the Telefile computer user group. Calkins, as a Sigma user and collector, was involved in all of these groups. Since 2012, aside from his teaching and other work, Calkins has led the transportation, preservation, and operation of the Xerox Sigma 9 at the Living Computer Museum in Seattle, Washington.
This folder contains materials from the 10th International TeleXchange Meeting, which was held January 12-14, 1987, in Newport Beach, California. Materials include a registration form, call for papers and a member survey, program listings, preliminary agenda, meeting minutes, correspondence to members, specifications, handwritten notes, and papers presented at the conference.
This folder contains materials from the 3rd International TeleXchange Meeting, which was held June 13-15, 1983, in Washington D.C. Materials include a registration form, call for papers, program listings, $12,000 Telefile discount certificates (one of which is made out to Calkins), and papers presented at the conference.
This folder contains materials from the 1st International TeleXchange Meeting, which was held June 7-9, 1982, in San Diego, California. Materials include program listings, a list of attendees, and papers presented at the conference. The only items included for the 2nd meeting, held Jan. 31-Feb. 2, 1983, in Long Beach, California, are the preliminary agenda and a call for papers.
This folder contains materials from the 4th International TeleXchange Meeting, which was held January 16-18, 1984, in San Francisco. Materials include a call for papers, program listings, list of attendees, and papers presented at the conference. Also included is a letter to Calkin from attorney John A. Kithas, who was representing meeting attendee LeRoy Swenson. Swenson claimed to be injured by an elevator at the St. Francis Hotel during the meeting and Mr. Kithas was inquiring if anyone else had mentioned a problem with the elevator.
This folder contains materials from the 5th International TeleXchange Meeting, which was held June 11-13, 1984, in Orlando, Florida. Materials include a preliminary agenda, program listings, list of attendees, a typed and handwritten report summarzing the meeting, and papers presented at the conference.
This folder contains materials from the 6th International TeleXchange Meeting, which was held January 14-16, 1985, in Newport Beach, California. Materials include correspondence and memoranda to members, a call for papers, meeting minutes and agendas, program listings, list of attendees, and papers presented at the conference.
This folder contains materials from the 7th International TeleXchange Meeting, which was held June 10-12, 1985, in New York. Materials include correspondence to members, registration form, call for papers, program listings, list of attendees, and papers presented at the conference.
This folder contains materials from the 9th International TeleXchange Meeting, which was held June 23-25, 1986, in Dallas. Materials include a registration form, call for papers and a member survey, program listings, preliminary agenda, list of attendees, meeting minutes, financial summary, list of T80 customers, specifications, correspondence to members, election ballot, and papers presented at the conference. Also included are Calkins personal papers from the conference, such as cash voucers and purchase orders from Andrews University.
This folder contains materials from the 8th International TeleXchange Meeting, which was held January 13-15, 1986, in Anaheim, California. Materials include a registration form, call for papers and a member survey, program listings, preliminary agenda, list of attendees, meeting minutes, list of TCP-V and T80 customers, handwritten notes, presentations, promotional materials, and papers presented at the conference.
These folders include program descriptions of software designed for Sigma 2/3 computers. Some of these programs were also applicable to the Xerox 530 computer.
This folder includes a Honeywell Exchange Library Program listing and proceedings from the HLSUA (Honeywell Large Systems Users Association) Forum XXXIX Exchange Sessions, held Oct. 7-10, 1984, in New Orleans.
These folders include program descriptions of software designed for Sigma 3 computers. Some of these programs were also applicable to the Xerox 530 computer.