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Guide to the Photo Data Systems Incorporated records
X3598.2006
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Table of contents
Title: Photo Data Systems Incorporated records
Dates: 1960-1969
Collection number: X3598.2006
Collection Size:
0.25 linear feet
3 folders
Repository:
Computer History Museum
Mountain View, CA 94043
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.
Languages:
Languages represented in the collection:
English
Collection is open for research.
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.
[Identification of Item], [Item Date], Photo Data Systems Incorporated records, Lot X3598.2006, Box [#], Folder [#], Computer
History Museum
Slide-a-Mat documentation was donated by Shawn Carolan-Abell and Viki Carolan-Gonzales to the Computer History Museum in 2006.
Biography / Administrative History
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.
Scope and Content of Collection
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.
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
the library's online public access catalog.
Carolan, Ann J.
Carolan, Willliam
Photo Data Systems Incorporated
Shopping
Slide-a-Mat machine
Physical objects including the original prototype machine and many publicity photographs, may be found in the CHM collections
database at
http://archive.computerhistory.org/search/ .