Buckholtz (Thomas J.), DeSaussure (Raymond), and Michael (George) Computer Manual Collection, 1950-1990, bulk 1960-1982

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Summary

Title:
Guide to the Thomas J. Buckholtz, Raymond DeSaussure, and George Michael Computer Manual Collection
Dates:
1950-1990, bulk 1960-1982
Abstract:
The Thomas J. Buckholtz, Raymond DeSaussure, and George Michael Computer Manual Collection at the Computer History Museum is comprised of manuals and promotional materials from a wide variety of computer-related companies and institutions. The Collection covers 1950 through 1990, encompassing approximately 2,000 items.
Extent:
76 linear feet 62 boxes
Language:
Languages represented in the collection: English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of Item], [Item Date], Buckholtz, DeSaussure, and Michael Collection, Lot X2592.2004, Box ID [#], Accession [#], Computer History Museum.

Background

Scope and content:

The scope of the Thomas J. Buckholtz, Raymond DeSaussure, and George Michael Computer Manual Collection spans the rise of the information age during the second half of the twentieth century. The Collection reflects, among other areas, mainframe computers, minicomputers, personal computers, input and output (I/O) devices, computer storage and memory devices, software development, supercomputing and networking materials.

The Collection consists of over 2,000 documents. The bulk of the materials are computer manuals (40%) and marketing materials (30%). Also included are specifications, technical papers and technical reports from 1950 through 1990. The bulk of the materials cover 1960 to 1982.

The Collection represents over 580 individual companies or institutions producing items ranging from peripheral devices, one-of-a kind machines to mass-produced computers. The Collection is organized alphabetically by the name of the originating institution or company. Some companies are represented by over a hundred folders while others may have only one folder. A folder holds one document if it is manual or many smaller items such as marketing brochures. Seventy-eight percent of these companies are represented with only one folder. On the other hand, the larger and longer-lived computer companies have much more documentation. Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) is the largest with 254 folders encompassing about one-eighth of the entire collection. The DEC materials span 1960 to 1982. International Business Machines (IBM) follows closely with 171 folders spanning over 30 years from 1954 to 1985. There is also a large amount of documentation for machines unique to Lawrence Livermore Laboratory. Additionally, Control Data Corporation (CDC) and Data General (DG) are well represented.

Due to the large size of the collection, in lieu of a listing of every folder, included below is an alphabetical list of all the companies represented with an adjoining column containing the number of folders for that company. To search for an individual folder representing a particular computer company or product, please use the Computer History Museum's online catalog at http://archive.computerhistory.org/search/.

Acquisition information:
The collection was a gift of Thomas J. Buckholtz and Helen T. Buckholtz in 2003. The materials were saved by Thomas J. Buckholtz, Raymond DeSaussure and George Michael while they worked at Lawrence Livermore Laboratory in California.
Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Sarah Wilson with the aid of Computer History Museum interns and volunteers
Date Prepared:
© 2007
Date Encoded:
Machine-readable finding aid created by Rebekah Y. Kim. Machine-readable finding aid derived from MS Word. Date of source: June 26, 2007.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The Computer History Museum can only claim physical ownership of the collection. Users are responsible for satisfying any claims of the copyright holder. Permission to copy or publish any portion of the Computer History Museum's collection must be given by the Computer History Museum.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of Item], [Item Date], Buckholtz, DeSaussure, and Michael Collection, Lot X2592.2004, Box ID [#], Accession [#], 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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