System Source Computer Museum Explained

System Source Computer Museum
Location:	Hunt Valley, Maryland, U.S.

The System Source Computer Museum, located in Hunt Valley, Maryland, USA, exhibits notable computing devices from ancient times until the present.^[1] Over 5,000 objects are on display and many of the computation devices are operational. STEM activities are offered to organized tour groups. Since 2022, admission is free. The museum is open weekdays from 9:00am until 6:00pm and at other times by appointment. Museum docents are available to lead tours.

History

The museum's origins date to 1981 when a Baltimore ComputerLand franchise had computers in inventory that instantly became historic artifacts with the introduction of the IBM Personal Computer.^[2]

The museum was incorporated as a non-profit 501(c)(3) in 2018 as the Maryland Technology Museum with the trade name the System Source Computer Museum.^[3] In 2021, the museum became the new home of the DigiBarn Computer Museum.

Exhibits

• Apples: Apple 1, Apple II, Apple ///, Apple Lisa and most other Apple products
  • Cray Computer: Cray-1, Cray-2, Cray T90 DEC Computers: PDP-5, PDP-8, LINC^[4] PDP-12, VAX
• Computer Memory: Delay-line memory Magnetic-core memory
• Pre-Industrial Computers: Abacus, Quipu, Napier's bones, Slide rule
• Tic-Tac-Toe and Computers: Charles Babbage, Relay Tic Tac Toe Machine, Matchbox Educable Noughts and Crosses Engine (MENACE)
• UNIVAC: UNIVAC 490, UNIVAC 418
• Xerox: Xerox Alto^[5]

STEM programs

• Hardware Workshop
• Programming a Virtual PET
• Squeak (Etoys Programming)

Notes and References

1. Web site: Trip Advisor reviews of the System Source Computer Museum.. November 15, 2021. Trip Advisor. November 15, 2021.
2. News: Gus . Sentementes . Maryland's computer history museum -- courtesy of Bob Roswell . https://web.archive.org/web/20180303224136/https:/www.baltimoresun.com/bs-mtblog-2010-08-marylands_computer_history_mus-story.html . 2018-03-03 . August 2, 2010 . Baltimore Sun . November 15, 2021.
   - Web site: System Source Computer Museum . August 2, 2017 . Atlas Obscura . November 15, 2021.
   - Web site: Andrew . Zaleski . System Source computer museum has first-generation Apple computers and more . April 15, 2013 . Technically . November 15, 2021.
3. Web site: Maryland Technology Museum Inc. . June 15, 2018 . Charity Navigator . November 15, 2021.
4. Roswell, Bob (Curator). "Where's Marty". May 18, 2022.
5. Roswell, Bob (Curator). "Where's Marty". May 18, 2022.