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Felsenstein (Lee) papers
M1443
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Table of contents
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
Department of Special Collections and University Archives
Title: Lee Felsenstein papers
creator:
Felsenstein, Lee.
Identifier/Call Number: M1443
Physical Description:
56 Linear Feet
Date (inclusive): circa 1975-2007
Physical Location: Special Collections and University Archives materials are stored offsite and must be paged 36 hours in advance.
Abstract: The papers of computer designer Lee Felsenstein contain material about the development of personal computers through the 1970s
and 80s.
Lee Felsenstein is an electronic design engineer known for his contributions to the early history of personal computing. Born
in Philadelphia, PA in 1945, Felsenstein studied electrical engineering and computer science at the University of California,
Berkeley, where he took part in the 1964 Free Speech Movement protests and was employed as a junior engineer at Ampex. Working
as a contract engineer since the 1970’s, much of Felsenstein’s output has focused on making personal computing more publicly
accessible. His contributions to the history of computing include designing the 1973 Pennywhistle modem, an early acoustic
coupler modem affordable to hobbyists, and the Osborne 1, the first commercially successful portable computer, released by
the Osborne Computer Corporation in 1981. Additionally, Felsenstein is known for co-founding the Community Memory Project,
a publicly-accessible computer bulletin board system self-branded as an “information flea market,” in 1973, and for his role
from 1975 to 1986 as moderator of the Homebrew Computer Club, a Silicon Valley-based group of computing enthusiasts whose
membership included Bob Marsh, Steve Wozniak, Adam Osborne, and Jerry Lawson, among others.
Felsenstein also designed Processor Technology’s SOL-20 microcomputer, a popular hobbyist’s computer terminal released in
1976, and the VDM-1, an inexpensive video display module that served as a blueprint for the architecture of personal computing,
released in 1975. Felsenstein has additionally engaged in nonprofit efforts such as the Jhai PC, a ‘remote village IT system’
designed for usage in rural jungle environments in Laos, and the Free Speech Movement Archives, an online hub for information
related to the 1964-1965 Berkeley protests that Felsenstein himself took part in.
In 1994, the Electronic Frontier Foundation awarded Lee Felsenstein a Pioneer Award for his contributions to personal computing.
He was made a laureate of the Tech Museum of Innovation in 2003, and was made a Fellow of the Computer History Museum in 2016
“for his influence on the technical and social environment of the early personal computing era”.
Material was rehoused and listed by box. Series were created after the fact and descriptions rearranged for readability.
The collection is arranged in eight series:
Series 1: Community Memory Project
Series 2: Golemics
Series 3: Homebrew Computer Club
Series 4: LGC Engineering
Series 5: Osborn Computer Corporation
Series 6: Village Design
Series 7: Upstart Corporation
Series 8: Accession 2017-243
Open for research except for Series I: Community Memory Project, Subseries 1.6: Payroll, which is closed until Jan. 1, 2060.
Computer media is also closed until processed. Note that material must be requested at least 36 hours in advance of intended
use.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
This collection was given by Lee Felsenstein to Stanford University, Special Collections in 2004 and 2017.
[identification of item], Lee Felsenstein Papers (M1443). Dept. of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford Libraries,
Stanford, Calif.
While Special Collections is the owner of the physical and digital items, permission to examine collection materials is not
an authorization to publish. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. Any transmission
or reproduction beyond that allowed by fair use requires permission from the owners of rights, heir(s) or assigns.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Science -- History.
Computer industry -- United States -- History
Felsenstein, Lee.
Homebrew Computer Club
Community Memory Project (Calif.)
Golemics (Firm)