Museum of Computing
The Museum of Computing in Swindon, England (formally The Museum of Computing @ Swindon)[1] is dedicated to preserving and displaying examples of early computers.[2] It was the first United Kingdom museum exclusively dedicated to the history of computing, and opened in February 2003.[3]
Aims
[edit]The museum aims to preserve the history of computing, to be used as a valuable educational resource and as an information repository for historians, collectors and the media, and to illustrate this history in an entertaining way.
Exhibits
[edit]The museum includes working machines and interactive activities. The exhibitions have included the Pong to PlayStation exhibition.[4] More than thirty computers were lent to Gordon Laing, a former editor of Personal Computer World magazine, in connection with the writing of his 2004 book Digital Retro.[5]
Notable events
[edit]The exhibition "Calculators from the Abacus to the Microchip", was launched by Sir Clive Sinclair in March 2006.[6]
In April 2007, the museum was honoured by a visit from Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, patron of the British Computer Society.[7]
The museum moved to 6–7 Theatre Square in July 2009, between the library and the theatre.[8][9]
In May 2010, the museum celebrated the 30th anniversary of the video game Pac-Man with a real life Pac-Man game and a special exhibition at the museum all day.[10]
In March 2011, the 'Gaming on the Go' exhibition celebrated 35 years of the handheld games console.
Structure
[edit]The Museum of Computing is a not-for-profit organisation, largely run by volunteers.[1] In 2022, the company had one employee and one director, Jeremy Holt.[11]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "The Museum Of Computing @ Swindon Limited". Companies House. Retrieved 28 November 2023.
- ^ The Museum of Computing.
- ^ The Museum of Computing, Culture 24, UK.
- ^ Historic computer games go on show, BBC, 31 March 2004.
- ^ Lord, Timothy. "Digital Retro". Slashdot. Retrieved 14 January 2013.
- ^ Computer Museum Counts on Sir Clive, Swindon Web, 8 March 2006.
- ^ HRH Duke of Kent Visits the Museum of Computing in Swindon, Blue Click PR, 16 April 2007.
- ^ Game on for Swindon Computer Museum, Swindon Web, 21 May 2009.
- ^ Contact Us, Museum of Computing.
- ^ Swindon celebrates Pac-Man's 30th anniversary, Swindon Web, 22 May 2010.
- ^ "Unaudited Financial Statements". Companies House. 31 January 2023. Retrieved 28 November 2023.
