This collection of rare and vintage computers is one of the largest collections of early computers in the United States. Our research is focused primarily on our collection of over 1,000 computer related items, including 175 vintage computers. The collection of hardware, software and print materials consists of a wide variety of rare items ranging from an 1834 edition of the Edinburgh Review which includes several articles about Charles Babbage and his new "Calculating Engine" to numerous computers manufactured between 1950 and 1981.

We are attempting to provide original research using primary source materials whenever possible. Aside from the EarlyComputer's collection, we are also making use of the Smithsonian, the National Archives, numerous other collections and personal interviews with individuals who were involved in bringing about the personal computer revolution.

• The collection houses personal computers such as Altair, Imsai, Nascom, Cromemco, OSI, SWTPC, AIM, Cosmac, Hewitt-Packard, Minivac, Commodore, Heathkit, Intel, Olivetti, Northstar, CompuKit and Texas Instruments among others.
• We also have a very large collection of rare documents related to the history of computing and computing magazines. These include documents from early as 1834 (Charles Babbage's Difference Engine), 1889 (the Electric Tabulating System), 1948 (Shannon's Mathematical Theory of Communication) and many others up to 1981.
• We also have a large number of documents and objects related to Herman Hollerith who is credited as being the first person to use electricity in tabulating data. He is also developed the modern punch card system of storing and sorting data (what we now call IBM cards).
• Our sister site, the Analog Computer Museum, houses the largest collection of analog computers in North America. They are currently in the process of putting the collection online. The collection includes analog computers from companies such as Electronic Associates Inc., Welch, Donner Scientific and AMF among others.

There are many definitions of what an "early" computer really is. Some say a computer made more than 20 years ago is historical, others argue for 25 years or even 30 years. We choose to define early computers as those made before IBM entered the personal computer market in 1981¹. Therefore, our collection is generally limited to items manufactured or printed ON or BEFORE 1981.

As we develop the earlycomputers.com website, we hope to give you the opportunity to participate directly online....the chance to add your stories, your research and your experience to ours. In the meantime, if you are interested in participating, please contact us at help@earlycomputers.com.

1. IBM announced its entry into the personal computer market in August 1981. That sounded the death knell for many small computer companies that could not compete with IBM.