Calkins (Keith G.) collection on Sigma systems, 1969-1987, bulk Bulk, 1972-1984

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Summary

Title:
Keith G. Calkins collection on Sigma systems
Dates:
1969-1987, bulk Bulk, 1972-1984
Creators:
Calkins, Keith G., (Keith Gordon), 1958-
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.
Extent:
10.75 Linear feet, 8 record cartons and 1 small box
Language:
Preferred citation:

[Identification of Item], [Date], Keith G. Calkins collection on Sigma systems, Lot X4287.2008, Box [#], Folder [#], Catalog [#], Computer History Museum.

Background

Scope and content:

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.

Biographical / historical:

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.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Keith Calkins, 2007.
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

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid prepared by Bo Doub, Kim Hayden, and Sara Chabino Lott
Sponsor:
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.
Date Prepared:
August, 2015
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2015-09-02T15:11-0700

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

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.

Location of this collection:
1401 Shoreline Blvd.
Mountain View, CA 94043, US
Contact:
(650) 810-1010
research@computerhistory.org
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