Collection Guide
Collection Title:
Collection Number:
Get Items:
Guide to the Keith G. Calkins collection on Sigma systems
X4287.2008
No online items
View entire collection guide
Search this collection
Table of contents
Title:
Keith G. Calkins collection on Sigma systems
Identifier/Call Number: X4287.2008
Contributing Institution:
Computer History Museum
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
10.75 Linear feet,
8 record cartons and 1 small box
Date (bulk): Bulk, 1972-1984
Date (inclusive): 1969-1987
Abstract: The Keith G. Calkins collection on Sigma systems consists of material documenting the Sigma computers developed and released
by Scientific Data Systems (SDS), Xerox, Honeywell, Inc., and Telefile Computer Products. The collection holds records from
all of these companies as well as the user groups focused on Sigma machines and their operating systems and software. Included
in the collection are program descriptions of software designed for Sigma systems, manuals, maintenance and testing reports,
conference proceedings, and records relating to Telefile Computer Products and its user group TeleXchange. Sigma machines
were released and operated primarily from 1966 through 1993 and the material in this collection spans 1969 through 1987.
creator:
Calkins, Keith G., (Keith Gordon), 1958-
The collection is open for research.
The Computer History Museum (CHM) can only claim physical ownership of the collection. Users are responsible for satisfying
any claims of the copyright holder. Requests for copying and permission to publish, quote, or reproduce any portion of the
Computer History Museum's collection must be obtained jointly from both the copyright holder (if applicable) and the Computer
History Museum.
[Identification of Item], [Date], Keith G. Calkins collection on Sigma systems, Lot X4287.2008, Box [#], Folder [#], Catalog
[#], Computer History Museum.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Keith Calkins, 2007.
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.
Scope and Content of the Collection
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.
The collection is arranged into 5 series:
Series 1, Program descriptions, 1969-1978
Series 2, Manuals, 1969-1979
Series 3, Reports and periodicals, 1971-1981
Series 4, Conference proceedings, 1973-1984
Series 5, Telefile, 1976-1987
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Computer software--Development
Calkins, Keith G. (Keith Gordon), 1958-
EXCHANGE
Honeywell Inc.
Scientific Data Systems
Sigma series
Telefile Computer Products
TeleXchange
Xerox Corporation