Computer History Museum

We are saddened to share the passing of CHM Fellow Thomas Eugene Kurtz, cocreator of the BASIC programming language and Dartmouth Timesharing System. Kurtz’s work revolutionized computing accessibility, bringing programming to students in the 1960s and beyond. His legacy lives on in the generations of programmers who first learned to code with BASIC. Read more about his remarkable life and contributions on our blog: https://hubs.li/Q02Yh9qc0

This Saturday, CHM will honor tech legends who shaped our digital world at the 2024 Fellows event. 🎮 Atari Team: Allan Alcorn, Nolan Bushnell, and Steven Mayer for revolutionizing gaming & computing. 🌐 Jake Feinler for her pioneering role in building today’s internet. 💻 Jensen Huang for driving advancements in AI & graphics. Tune in on 11/16 at 7:30 p.m. (PST): https://bit.ly/3UNJJ3v #CHMFellows #TechInnovators #CHMLive

In 2006, CHM curators Dag Spicer and Alex Bochannek embarked on a journey to Castrop-Rauxel, Germany, after hearing rumors of a forgotten treasure trove of historical computers. Hidden away in a remote warehouse, they uncovered an incredible collection dating back to the 1930s. 🖥️ For a full week, they sorted through decades of dust to identify which pieces would make their way to CHM’s permanent collection. The collection was massive—over 250 tons of vintage computing gear, some items incredibly rare. By the end, they had marked enough artifacts to fill seven tractor-trailer loads 🚛 Today, some of these rescued artifacts are proudly displayed at our museum, preserving computing history for future generations. #Archive #ComputerHistoryMuseum #TechHistory 

In the past, there were trackballs, light pens, and other clever pointing devices used to interact with computers. Then in the 1960’s, Doug Engelbart introduced a revolutionary new tool. He called it the “mouse.” 🐁 Imagery credits: Stanford Research Institute, SRI International, Mark Richards #computermouse #retrotech #vintagetech

Join bestselling author Jason Schreier as he dives into Blizzard’s 30-year journey in gaming, sharing insights from his new book “Play Nice: The Rise, Fall, and Future of Blizzard Entertainment.” 🎟️ Reserve your spot for a fireside chat, audience Q&A and book signing: https://bit.ly/3Clocc3

In 1988, a Cornell University graduate student accidentally “broke” the internet. Wanting to estimate its size, he released a worm that exploited vulnerabilities in Unix-based systems and unintentionally caused widespread disruption and system crashes across the network. 🪱🌐 Imagery credits: Bettmann/Corbis, Mark Richards, Syracuse Herald-Journal, New York Times #cybersecurity #computerhistory #breaktheinternet

Join us for a fireside chat with bestselling author Jason Schreier, who will share insider stories and insights from his new book, Play Nice: The Rise, Fall, and Future Of Blizzard Entertainment.

Missed our event with Pulitzer Prize-winning editor and former National Audubon Society CEO David Yarnold? Check out the livestream to hear his insights on how GIS technology is mapping a better future across the globe. https://lnkd.in/gYkyfXux 

Ever heard of the Bendix G-15? If not, our volunteer Richard is here to fill you in 📝 #BendixG15 #AlanTuring #TechHistory #EducationalVideos  

We are saddened by the passing of Lillian Schwartz, CHM Fellow and pioneer in the world of digital art and animation. From her childhood drawings with sticks in the dirt to her groundbreaking computer-generated works, Lillian's artistic journey was one of continuous exploration and innovation. Her early embrace of computers as an artist’s tool transformed the possibilities of visual art, and her long association with Bell Labs led to a series of art films that reshaped the digital imagery landscape. Her contributions will continue to influence and inspire future generations of artists. To read more, visit: https://bit.ly/4f5JN6o