This rare and important collection comprises written works and physical objects relating to early calculating instruments and methods. With material dated between 1541 and 2000, the collection offers researchers a unique window into the early origins and development of history’s most significant calculating devices and methods.

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.

499 items

The Computer History Museum (CHM) can only claim physical ownership of the collection. Copyright restrictions may apply and 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 as owner of the material.

The collection is open for research. However, due to the age and fragility of many of the items, if a digitized version is available, researchers will be directed to the surrogate item.