The collection documents the early origins and development of human measurement and computation through rare books and related artifacts. Dated between 1541 and 2000, the collection contains over 200 books of algorithms and tables, and monographs on measuring and computing devices, as well as nearly 300 machines and devices related to the books.
Biographical/Historical Note
Gwen Bell earned her B.S. from the University of Wisconsin in 1957 and a Master of City and Regional Planning from Harvard University in 1959. She earned a PhD in geography from Clark University in 1967. Bell co-founded what is now known as The Computer history Museum with her husband Gordon Bell and Ken Olson in 1975. Gwen Bell was the Museum’s first director and was active with the Museum until 1998.
Gwen and Gordon Bell began proactively collecting pre-computing artifacts in 1975. Their first purchase was a 1903 six digit Millionaire calculator. By the time the Digital Computer Museum opened in Marlboro, MA in 1979 they had approximately 80 books, calculators, and navigational instruments. When The Computer Museum History Center (TCMHC) was established in Mountain View, CA in 1996, the collection had grown to roughly 400 artifacts and books, which they had on permanent loan with TCMHC.
<p>Painting made by artist and programmer Harold Cohen and the AARON Paint System at The Computer History Museum, Boston, as part of a fundraising event in 1995. Paintings were auctioned via the Internet at a reserve price of $2,000 each. Image depicts an orchid-like plant in a red pot on a table with red vase and terracotta pot.</p>
The original patent specification, and thus the first printed account, of the Hollerith electric tabulating machine.
Contains 7 pages of patent application and 3 fold-out diagrams of proposed machine.
An alphabetical index is located on pages 562 - 574. A numerical index is located on pages 575 - 581.Three supplemental attachments come with the catalogue: the first is a letter explaining the 'price list', located in the end pocket. Second, a letter from the Sales Manager of Keuffel & Esser Co., explaining price increase for this volume, found in the second-to-last fly-leaf. The third attachment is an envelope of transparent ruler advertisements for Keuffel & Esser Co.
The first 7 pages and the last pages (numbered 8 - 14) are advertisements for manufacturers of various household products. The first several pages contain handwritten notes, in graphite and pen.
"Bugthorpe School 1856." This entire book is an arithmetic workbook from Samuel Flint. All sums and calculations, as well as questions and notes are handwritten by the author.
A table of contents is located immediately after the title page. This book also includes a handwritten letter to L. M. Milne-Thomson, from the author of the book, found on the front cover fly-leaf. There is also an attached editorial letter to the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, about the author's use of the Dupla machine, attached to the first fly-leaf. Underneath this attachment is a handwritten note which reads "L. M. Milne-Thomson with the author's compliments."
"L. M. Milne-Thomson" written in blue pen on first fly-leaf. An appendix is found on pages 205 - 214. There is a supplemental section added into the end, advertising other publications by Charles and Edwin Layton.
Second part has added title page: "Canones sinuum, tangentium, secantium: et logarithmorum pro sinubus et tangentibus."
Part two includes: "Chiliades decem logarithmorum, pro numeris naturali serie crescentibus ab unitate ad 10000."
