Guide to the Keith G. Calkins collection on Sigma systems

Finding aid prepared by Bo Doub, Kim Hayden, and Sara Chabino Lott

Processing of this collection was made possible through generous funding from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, administered through the Council on Library and Information Resources' Cataloging Hidden Special Collections and Archives grant.

Computer History Museum

1401 N. Shoreline Blvd.

Mountain View, CA, 94043

(650) 810-1010

research@computerhistory.org

August, 2015

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-

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Publication Rights

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.

Preferred Citation

[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.

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.

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.

Arrangement

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

Program descriptions, Series 1, 1969-1978

Series Scope and Content

This series, the largest in the collection, contains program descriptions of software developed for various combinations of Sigma and Xerox computers. Each program description has its own software submittal forms from when the programs were initially submitted within the corporate structures of SDS, Xerox Data Systems (XDS), or Honeywell. Most of the program descriptions in this series also include summaries formatted to the standards of the Sigma Exchange Users' Group Library — also called XDS Users' Group Program Library or EXCHANGE. The submission forms and program library summaries describe each program's date of submittal, catalog number, applicable CPUs (the records are organized by this element), program title, author, source language, and abstracts. These programs were created for a wide variety of functions and contexts, including: payroll systems, file converters, debuggers, compilers, timesharing simulators, ledger systems, games, mathematical functions, and creating automated medical histories. Programming languages used to create these programs include FORTRAN IV, SYMBOL, META-SYMBOL, COBOL, LISP 1.5, BASIC, and APL. The computers these programs were designed for span the whole Sigma series from the earlier Sigma 2 to the later Sigma 9 models and also the compatible Xerox 500 series computers. Lastly, this series includes correspondence and manuals about the Sigma Exchange Users' Group Program Library, including manuals on how to describe programs and submit program descriptions to the library.

Arrangement

This series is arranged alphabetically by folder title.

102734290 SDS Sigma series and Xerox computer programs 1974-1978

102734273 Sigma 2 1969-1973

102734269 Sigma 2/3 1970-1976

102734274 Sigma 3 1973-1976

102734285 Sigma 5/6/7 1970-1977

102734282 Sigma 5/7 1969-1976

102734281 Sigma 5/7/9 1973-1975

102734295 Sigma 5/9 1971-1977

102734275 Sigma 6 1976

102734288 Sigma 6/7/9 1973-1975

102734278 Sigma 6/9 1974-1976

102734277 Sigma 7 1971-1975

102734292 Sigma Exchange Users' Group Program Library ca. 1976

Manuals, Series 2, 1969-1979

Series Scope and Content

This series contains Sigma manuals, the majority of which were produced by Xerox, with a few published by Honeywell or universities, from 1969 to 1979. The Honeywell manuals are noted as being reprints of Xerox manuals. Most of the manuals in this series are related to programming languages, such as FORTAN, SL-1, Xerox TEXT, BASIC, COBOL, C, Pascal, APL, and Meta-Symbol. Also included are a large number of manuals specific to the CP-V operating system, which followed the Universal Timesharing System (UTS) operating system and supported the Sigma 6, 7, and 9, and the Xerox 560. There are also a small number of manuals related to various functions of Sigma systems and the engineering support and service of machines.

Arrangement

This series is arranged alphabetically by folder title.

102734284 CP-V operating system manuals 1973-1978

102734286 Maintenance manuals 1974-1976

102734283 Programming manuals 1973-1979

102734287 Systems manuals 1969-1976

Reports and periodicals, Series 3, 1971-1981

Series Scope and Content

This series consists of a large number of reports, the majority of which are Xerox and Honeywell monthly software maintenance reports from 1973 to 1981. Through 1975, these reports are in paper form; from 1976 and on, the reports are on microfiche. There are also a large number of test reports, some from various releases of the CP-V operating system. These tests are labeled RAD, ASR/KSR, PREP, SUPERSWAP, CARD, and 9INT. Also included is a Xerox and Honeywell program availability binder that has been separated into folders and includes both paper reports and microfiche. There are also several issues of Xerox's marketing magazine Interface from 1973 to 1975.

Arrangement

This series is arranged alphabetically by folder title.

102734294 Monthly software maintenance reports 1973-1981

102734291 Interface magazine 1973-1975

102734289 Program availability list 1975-1978

102734293 Test reports 1971-1980

Conference proceedings, Series 4, 1973-1984

Series Scope and Content

This series consists of conference proceedings and related materials from 1973 to 1984. All but one folder contains material related to the International Meeting of EXCHANGE, the Xerox Computer Users' Group, with proceedings from 1973 to 1982. Some sessions include programs and post-conference summaries along with the proceedings. One folder consists of proceedings from the Honeywell Large Systems Users Association (HLSUA) Forum 39 Exchange Sessions from 1984. Also in this folder is a Honeywell exchange library catalog from circa 1982.

Arrangement

This series is arranged alphabetically by folder title.

102734296 20th International Meeting of EXCHANGE 1973

102734297 21st International Meeting of EXCHANGE 1973

102734298 28th International Meeting of EXCHANGE 1977

102734299 29th International Meeting of EXCHANGE 1978

102734300 30th and 31st International Meeting of EXCHANGE 1979

102734301 32nd International Meeting of EXCHANGE 1980

102734302 33rd International Meeting of EXCHANGE 1981

102734303 34th International Meeting of EXCHANGE 1981

102734304 35th and 37th International Meeting of EXCHANGE 1982-1983

102734270 Honeywell Large Systems Users Association (HLSUA) Forum 39 Exchange Sessions ca. 1982-1984

Telefile, Series 5, 1976-1987

Series Scope and Content

This series contains conference materials, manuals, marketing materials, memos, newsletters, member directories, and program library catalogs related to Telefile Computer Products and TeleXchange, a Telefile computer user group. About half of this series is made up of materials from International TeleXchange Meetings from 1982 through 1987, including papers presented at the conferences, programs and agendas, lists of attendees, registration forms, meeting minutes, and correspondence. Another large portion of this series is made up of Telefile manuals, specifications, and product overviews published by Telefile, Xerox, and Honeywell from 1976 to 1987. A smaller number of items include Telefile marketing materials, memos, newsletters, and software support reports. There are also a small number of TeleXchange Program Library catalogs from 1983 to1986, TeleXchange member directories and bylaws from 1983 to 1986, and materials related to the TeleXchange TCP-V general interest group, including meeting minutes and membership listings.

Arrangement

This series is arranged alphabetically by folder title.

102734260 1st and 2nd International TeleXchange Meeting papers and records 1982

102734259 3rd International TeleXchange Meeting papers and records 1983

102734261 4th International TeleXchange Meeting papers and records 1984

102734262 5th International TeleXchange Meeting papers and records 1984

102734263 6th International TeleXchange Meeting papers and records 1984

102734265 7th International TeleXchange Meeting papers and records 1985

102734267 8th International TeleXchange Meeting papers and records 1986

102734266 9th International TeleXchange Meeting papers and records 1986

102672674 10th International TeleXchange Meeting papers and records 1986

102734272 Manuals, product descriptions, and specifications 1976-1987

102672840 Marketing materials 1981-1985

102734271 Memoranda 1983-1985

102734279 Newsletters 1975-1984

102734276 Software support reports 1984-1986

102734257 TeleXchange member directories and bylaws 1983-1986

102734258 TeleXchange Program Library catalogs 1983-1986

102734268 TeleXchange TCP-V general interest group (GIG) 1986-1987