Computer Museum of America - Grand opining July 20,2019

Computer Museum ofAmerica

The Grand Opening 

Computer Museum of America
 Roswell, Georgia - July 20,2019
Up Dated 10/5/2020

Our entire historical microcomputer collection (Bugbook Microcomputer Museum) of 13,000 items was acquired by the Computer Museum of America. David Larsen

See videos of displays 10/5/2020 "CLICK"

Click photo to enlarge.

David and Gaynell Larsen during the
Grand Opening of the Museum
at the  Apollo 11 Moon lander replica.  

The grand opening of the Computer Museum of America (CMoA) was an awesome event. The date was picked to to be the same day of the year on the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing - July 20th.  The museum founder,  Lonnie Mimms,  is a long time collector of computers and  user of  computers. The museum has so many exciting attributes & amenities it is hard for me to give proper credit in a short blog. Take a look at the Facebook Page here. Look here of wonderful photos of the opening.

Lonnie Mimms museum
founder giving introduction
to the museum at the
Fundraiser event July 13th

From Computer Museum of America - Web Site
"After 40 years of collecting technology and four years of testing temporary exhibitions, the Computer Museum of America (CMoA) will be opening the doors to its new permanent home on July 20,2019. The CMoA will preserve the achievements of the digital revolution to educate, entertain and inspire the innovator in us all."

Karin Mimms
Vice President of the
Museum

Karin Mimms - Vice President speaks about goals of museum and introducing special guests at the Friday ( 7/13/19) Fundraiser  Event.
The opening week was in three parts - The Fundraiser Event on Friday the 13th, the Opening Celebration on Wednesday the 17th and the Grand opening for the public on Saturday the 20th.

David Larsen with NASA Astronaut
Dr. Sandra Magnus

NASA Astronaut Dr. Sandra Magnus was a very inspirational speaker about how her dream as a young person led to become a NASA Astronaut. Dr. Magnus made several shuttle flights and spent time on the Space Station. She is a wonderful enthusiastic advocate encouraging young people to pursue a career in STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math).  One the museums mission is to inspire young folks to develop an interest & career in the the field of science (STEM).

Cray 1-M/2300

The museum has a wonderful representation of computers and technology items on display with great information about each artifact. The museum has one of the largest collection of Cray Super Computers in the world.

Cray 1 Serial #13
1979

This information came in the shipping container with the Cray-A.

Amazing supercomputer at that time.

50 miles of wire
32,000 circuit cards
250,000 integrated circuits.
Much more click photo to read.

Digital Equipment Corporation
"PDP-12"

The museum displays an excellent selection of Super Computers, Minicomputers, Microcomputers and some components of historical mainframe computers.  This just the Grand Opening - there are 250,000 artifacts in the archives and the number of artifacts on display will be growing and rotating on a regular basis.

David Larsen
with Mark 8 Computer

The museum has a good representation of Microcomputers on display - you can see some of them in the photos here.

The "Mark 8" computer in this photo was designed by my colleague Dr. Jon Titus.  Jon published his design in "Radio Electronics" magazine in the May, June and July issues 1974. Jon is given credit for being the one of the first to build an operational computer using a microprocessor chip and showing others how to build the computer.

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Dr. Cyndy Moya  with
 Lonnie Mimms 

The museum had a large number of interesting visitors for the Grand Opening day.  Here is Dr. Cyndy Moya, Collections Manager at the "Living Computer Museum" in Seattle, Washington. On the right is Lonnie Mimms, Founder of the "Computer Museum of America". The "Living Computer Museum" founder was Paul Allen.

IBM  card sorter, collator etc

Some items on display from the old mainframe computers. Here are peripheral devices from the 1950/60s . A  key card punch, collator, card sorter and more.






Here is my audio description of the aswsome events during the Inaugural Opening of the Museum

My son, David Larsen Jr.,
at the July 13th Fundraiser

Visiting the CMoA and Roswell, GA for the the week of July 13- 20th Grand opening events for the museum was a very rewarding experience for Gaynell and I. To be with Lonnie and Karin Mimms and all the people that helped make Lonni's vision of a great computer and technology museum a reality was awesome.

This is just a start and the museum will be constantly evolving and expanding.  Lonnie has more than 250,000 technology artifacts in the collection with more being added every week. The museum has a second level floor of about 120,000 sq ft for expansion and more could be added - lots of room for expansion.

Museum Entrance at
5000 Commerce Parkway.

When in the Roswell, Georgia area,  I highly recommend a visit to the museum (About 20 miles north of Atlanta). The CMoA is open on Saturdays 10 to 5 PM and on Sunday 12 to 5 PM. Here is how to get there - Google Map. 

David Larsen
 Blog Author

"by David Larsen"  Board member of  "Computer Museum of America", Chantilly Farm owner, Computer Historian, and amateur radio operator -KK4WW   & N4USA .  I work out of one of the Tiny Homes at Chantilly Farm. A great place to work if you like the to be out in nature. I am 81 and ready to sell Chantilly Farm - I have a few more  projects I would like to do - if you have an interest to know more give me a call. 540 392  2392.

The "Bugbook"
Bugs

I am still collecting vintage computers & receive a calls very often about an old computer. Getting older and time to sell my chantillyfarm  -- Give me a call for information..

30 ton Vintage Computer collection moves to the "Computer Museum of America".

Apple-1 computer 

Bugbooks

It was a 45 years effort and a great hobby to build my "Bugbook Historical Microcomputer" collection. The Collection was acquired by the Computer Museum of America and in February of this year (2016) it was all packed up and sent to the CMoA in Roswell, Georgia. A crew of 6 took  10 days to pack the 10,000 items. When the trucks were loaded one of them could not make it up the hill from the warehouse and I had to call a tow truck to help. Several tons had to be taken off that truck to keep it in the legal weight for the road. When the trucks weighted  for the trip they were loaded with more then 30 tons of microcomputer artifacts. 

David Larsen, Curator of the Bugbook Computer Museum

Here is a news story about the shipment and moving the collection. "CLICK" 

David Larsen

It is a real pleasure to have the collection now reside with a museum that is growing and can give good visibility our 45 year effort to build the collection. I am not sad to see the computer artifacts leave Floyd, Virginia and look forward to working with Lonnie Mimm's as a board member of his "Computer Museum of America".

 "by David Larsen" KK4WW Computer Collector / Historian 

   

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Vintage computers - The Hunt for Apple-1 computers - 2/29/16

(Updated 2/29/16) I am ask many times how did you build your computer collection.  A real help for

Apple 1 Computer

Bugbooks

the microcomputer memorabilia collection was - I was teaching  digital electronics and computer automation & instrumentation before the first Intel microprocessor was introduced in 1971.  My period of teaching at Virginia Tech was 1967 to 1998.  A good part of the answer is "I was at the right place at the right time".  The majority of my collection was acquired  from 1975 to 1995. During that time the computers were generally of little or no value and the owners just dumped them in the trash. Many were happy to find a crazy guy like me that actually wanted to keep an old computer.

I advertised in various publications for most of the 45 years . The one that brought in the most calls was a small classified ad in "Computer Shopper". The ad was very simple and looked like this - Wanted pre1980 microcomputers for historical collection". Over the years I recieved 1000's of calls or offers for microcomputers. I continue to run an ad in the Ham Radio magazine "QST"

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Here are a few of the responses with offers for Apple-1 computers.

Craig Solomonson offered me this Apple-1 computer July 1996 for his price of less then $40,000.

WOW I sure missed a computer that made the big time - Auction at Breker Nov 28, 2010 - Yes, Italian collector Marco Boglione paid $212,000 for a 34-year-old Apple-1

Click on photos to enlarge

Craig Solomonson  Apple 1

The information below is from the Apple-1 Registry 

NTI logo. This computer was first Frank Anderson. 

Next it was  purchased from Frank Anderson, an electronic dealer in Great Falls, Montana by Craig Solomonson for MECC.  Craig reports that this computer was sold by Jobs and shipped from his parents address. Woz seemed a bit confused when Craig showed him the invoice and asked about it. He said "Not sold by us, although Job's may have sold it without telling me." 

• Sold by Craig to Jesse Sackman in California
• $50,000 unit sold in Ebay auction 320447681957, late in 2009
• This is the unit auctioned by Christies in London for 133,250 pounds in November of 2010 to Italian businessman and private collector Marco Boglione

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During the 80/90's I was offered about 10 Apple-1 computers and managed to purchase 4 of them. One offer was for me trade a new automobile van for his computer. This was a reasonable offer but I declined the purchase at the time as too complex. I heard later that some other collector made this trade.


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Schoolsky Apple 1

Schoolsky Apple-1 Computer

I did purchase this Apple-1 Microcomputer from Adam Schoolsky & you can see in the letter many other nice items as well. Here is a video about this computer in our "Bugbook Historical Microcomputer Museum" 'CLICK'

Schoolsky's Apple-1  came in a box like these shown in Job's bedroom. The box has Woz written on the top. I will never know but Schoolsky's computer may be in this photo.

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This computer has been made fully operational by Win Heagy in late 2015 and has been passed on to the Lonnie Mimms collection at the Computer Museum of America.

Click on photos to enlarge

Forest Duston phone log

Forest Duston Apple-1 computer 

I  keep a  phone log of all the calls about computers that are available. The photo to the left is copy of call from Forest and he told me he had 2 Apple 1 computers. I was skeptical about that however over the next year I found it was true and purchased both of them. It was fortunate for me and he got his price. 

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Click image to enlarge

Snyder Apple-1 computer 

This Apple-1 computer offered to me by the law firm for $15,000 was a great offer. Unfortunately at that time I was not able to make  a deal.  I don't know who  ended up with Apple-1. The computer had an interesting history and original letter from Steve Jobs with it.  Even lawyers seemed find my little classified advertising.  

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Apple 1 purchase from John Burch

Here is a video of  Apple-1 I purchased  from John Burch in the mid 90's. It was a simple deal - he told me most of the collectors wanted him to just give the computer to them. He gave me a price and we had a deal.





Video of this computer has had nearly 250,000 views during the past 5 years "CLICK here to see video"


Click on photos to enlarge

David Larsen working on Apple 1

This is one of the finest examples of an Apple-1 computer and in January 2016 was passed on to the Lonnie Mimms collection at the Computer Museum of America in Roswell, Georgia.

Here I am working on the "John Burch"  Apple-1 computer.

Apple 1 computer documentaion

I received lots of great original documentation with this computer.

Here is a little tidbit about Steve Jobs house and where and who designed the Apple-1 & 2 .
(Steve Wozniak designed them independent on his own)

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My 45 years of collecting effort resulting of an inventory of more then 10,000 microcomputer memorabilia items in moving to Lonnie Mimms Computer Museum of America. All the items have been packed. Packing took 10 days with a crew of 3 to 6 and as I write this update the last 500 or more packed boxes will leave the Bugbook Computer Museum warehouse today.  2/29/16

David Larsen

The hunt for computers during the past 45 years has been fun. Now my family and friends ask - What are you going to do with them. We have inventored more then 10,000 items in our collection and still have more to add to the data base - lots of computers and memorabilia. I have set up a small museum and hope to have an endowed museum here in Floyd Va - place  the computers with the other museums or with serious collectors before I move to Heaven. I am 75 now and only have 25 more years to go - Any ideas for my collection - give me a call.

I am 77+ as I update this blog and happy to say I have found a wonderful home for the 45 years of collecting. It is a delight to be working with Lonnie Mimms and his Computer Museum of America in Roswell, Georgia. Dave

 ^{"by David Larsen"  KK4WW Computer Collector Historian}     Send Message    Like us on Facebook  My Blog about hometown Floyd VA

Apple-1 computer delivered to the Computer Museum of America 2/16/16

Bugbooks

John Burch - Apple-1
Computer 

My wife Gaynell and I visited Lonnie Mimms at his Computer Museum of America in Roswell, Georgia during the weekend of January 15/16 2016.  Lonnie and I made the final arrangements for the transfer of my entire vintage computer collection to his museum. We did take a few computers with us in the car and one was the John Burch Apple-1. I purchased this computer from John Burch about 22 years ago. Mr. Burch told me he had purchased his Apple-1 computer from Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs out of the trunk of their car at a computer meeting. I had no reason to doubt this story, however in later years when I tried to contact him for more details about how he purchased the computer he had passed away. This is a good lesson "Do it NOW" unfortunately these first time vintage computer owners are getting old and passing on. This is a good reason for me to pass on my collection while I can still give information about the collection and how I acquired all these vintage machines.

John Burch Apple-1 Computer 

Video of delivery to Lonnie Mimms - The John Burch Apple-1 "CLICK"

L-R Lonnie Mimms - David Larsen

Video of all the computers delivered to the Computer Museum of America during first visit January 16, 2016. "CLICK"





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If you have not visited the Computer Museum of America and the Apple Popup museum here is a very good reason to visit Roswell, Georgia.

Vintage Computer Festival Southeast April 2/3, 2016. 
Take a look "CLICK"
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Apple Popup museum 

Lonnie gave Gaynell and I a wonderful and educational tour of his Apple Popup museum. This was our first visit and the displays are very impressive and informative.

Steve Wozniak (Woz) had the spark with his Apple-1 computer to excite Steve Jobs to start the Apple Company with Woz and Ron Wayne.  Very few people know for the first few days of the Apple partnership Ron Wayne owned 10 % of the Apple partnership. Ron dropped out after the first week of the partnership.

Apple Popup museum 

The story of Steve Jobs is most interesting and the Popup museum covers his involvement developing the Apple company with many colorful and interesting displays.

Apple Popup museum 

Lonnie displays many good inspirational quotes and messages in the museum.






David's wife Gaynell Larsen comments about first visit to Computer Museum of America - Video "CLICK"

David G Larsen

Our visit with Lonnie Mimms and his wife Karin in Roswell, Georgia was just wonderful. I am looking forward to working with Lonnie as a board member of his Computer Museum of America. 

 "by David Larsen" KK4WW Computer Collector / Historian 

   

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First day packing for move to Computer Museum of America

Bugbooks

The first day of packing for the move of  the microcomputer historical collection from our Bugbook Computer Museum to the Computer Museum of America (CMA)  did not include any computers.  Lonnie Mimms curator of the CMA will be developing a large electronic technology and education center in 2017 and it will include all areas of electronics.  Lonnie wanted all our vintage electronics so we are sending much more then the computer collection. Mostly just old radio items today and none of this is on the regular electronic database for the museum.  I guess I am a hoarder of old electronic items and for sure being a ham radio operator 61 years the vintage radio stuff just kept accumulating.

Update 2/16/16 The snow and ice delayed the packing - we did get in two days and will start again on Wednesday 2/17/16 and hope to have it all done by Tuseday2/22/16- I will keep you posted.

Short slide show of the days events "CLICK" 

This is just a few of the old radio items - I had them on display many years in the warehouse for my own interest .  There are a lot more ham radio items in the warehouse and at the museum. I have not really counted the radio and old electronic items but must be several hundred. A few nice old Soviet military radios in the collection.

All the items are wrapped in bubble wrap before going into the shipping box.

Most boxes have multiple items.

Toward the end of the first day the packing crew made it close to the computers in the warehouse but still lots of none computer items to pack.

There are many thousands of computer memorabilia items to pack so it will be 3 or 4 more days of packing.

The crew wanted to use paper to wrap some items however  I insisted that every piece had to be wrapped in bubble wrap.


They used up the whole supply of bubble wrap available to them and had to order a large supply.  This will take a couple of days so no packing Wednesday or Thursday. They should be back Friday with a truck load of bubble wrap.

This photograph and the ones below will be of interest mostly to ham radio operators. Just a few of the old radios Heathkit, Swan, Ten-Tec.

The old Swan radios were very popular in the 60's and 70's.

This is interesting SWR/Watt meter and dummy load. I seem to love these old items.

These Hallicrafters  are late 40's and 50's. I have radios going back to pre 1920.

1950 or so Harvey Wells hf bandmaster AM transmitter.

Great end of the day. It was cold as I do not have heat in the warehouse. I did put in 5 electric heaters and it helped a little. The outside temperature today was about 30 degrees - Cooold. The hot coffee the middle of the afternoon was most welcome by the crew.

David G Larsen

This was a good start and I expect 3 or 4 more days of packing with a 5 man crew. I only wish it was warmer in the warehouse. Maybe the cold will help the crew work faster. I did notice today the coats all came off even thought it was about 35 degrees inside. 

 "by David Larsen" KK4WW Computer Collector / Historian 

   

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