Over the years, the department of Computer Science has gathered
a collection of computing memorabilia that is displayed in the foyer
outside
of the departmental office, the department common room and other vacant
spaces. Most of the work in preparing the display was done by Peter
Shields, our chief technician for many years.
The collection is particularly strong in examples of early personal computers, though we also have on display the University's first computer, the IBM 1620. We hope to be able to make available a catalogue of the collection in the future and display photos of some of the items here.
In the meantime we are always ready to accept donations of further
items
of interest. Please contact our curator.
Here is a summary of the history
of magnetic data storage.
We also have a collection of historical books, manuals, pamphlets
etc. This was based on a personal collection to which added material
from
the old NZ government Department of Scientific and Industrial Research
Applied Mathematics Laboratory donated by Industrial Research Limited.
The AMD was based at Victoria University in Wellington and operated one
of the first computers in New Zealand, an Elliot 803.
We have prepared a catalogue of the material in the collection. The following is the catalogue as of August 1999.
Before 1956
1956 - 1960
After 1960
The criteria for inclusion of material in the collection are
"anything"
before 1961, and after 1960 "items of great significance, particularly
in a New Zealand context". We do have quite a lot of additional
material
yet to be catalogued that will be added as time permits. We welcome
donations
of new items - please contact our curator.