Collection context
Summary
- Title:
- Photo Data Systems Incorporated records
- Dates:
- 1960-1969
- Abstract:
- The Photo Data Systems Incorporated records are comprised of administrative papers and records, design drawings and promotional materials regarding the Slide-a-Mat machine invented in the 1960's. It was an early system demonstrating the concept of shopping from the comfort of an armchair and push button shopping.
- Extent:
- 0.25 linear feet 3 folders
- Language:
- Languages represented in the collection: English
- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of Item], [Item Date], Photo Data Systems Incorporated records, Lot X3598.2006, Box [#], Folder [#], Computer History Museum
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The Photo Data Systems Incorporated records are composed of administrative records, design drawings and promotional materials from the 1960s. The records are divided into three folders and total 0.5 linear feet, in one box. All folders are arranged alphabetically by title.
The first folder is Administrative Papers, circa 1965. The folder contains Photo Data Systems Incorporated's organizational structure, goals and exhibit agreements. It also contains a letter from MAR Enterprise.
The second folder is Design Drawings, circa 1965. The folder contains two copies of the Model C-1 schematic drawing.
The third folder is Promotional Materials, circa 1965. The folder contains two idea catalogs from different showrooms, Photo-Data Selectors promotional material, Slide-a-mat business stationary and 4 copies of Slide-a-Mat brochures.
- Biographical / historical:
-
Around 1965, Ann and William Carolan invented the Slide-a-Mat machine and formed Photo Data Systems Incorporated. The machine's cabinet was 3 feet by 4 feet by 4 feet, and contained two 12 inch screens, which displayed pictures and detailed information on products ranging from appliances, furniture, houses, and vacation packages. In front of the machine, buttons allowed customers to navigate through different products or product features such as color and size. To place orders, the Slide-a-Mat included a telephone with an optical sense card reader and a set of cards. When ready, the customer slid a vendor-specific plastic card into the telephone which automatically dialed the vendor. The Slide-a-Mat machine introduced the terms "push button shopping" and "shopping from armchairs" long before online commerce. The company had hoped to place machines in public places such as airports and shopping centers.
The Slide-a-Mat was patented in the 1960s, but bankruptcy after facing difficult market conditions led the company to go under.
- Acquisition information:
- Slide-a-Mat documentation was donated by Shawn Carolan-Abell and Viki Carolan-Gonzales to the Computer History Museum in 2006.
- Rules or conventions:
- Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard
Indexed terms
About this collection guide
- 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], Photo Data Systems Incorporated records, Lot X3598.2006, Box [#], Folder [#], Computer History Museum
- Location of this collection:
-
1401 Shoreline Blvd.Mountain View, CA 94043, US
- Contact:
- (650) 810-1010