THINK - Computer History Museum

The Computer History Museum is located in Silicon Valley south of San Francisco in Mountain View. Silicon Valley is home to many, many technology companies such as Google, Apple, NASA Rsearch and Facebook.

 The Computer History Museum is in Mountain View. This was the only place Jon wanted to visit while we were here.

The museum explores the history of computing and the impact on our society. The cost was reasonable at $15 per adult, and included all galleries and videos and guided talks.

We started our detour to the Computer Museum by having lunch at the Cloud Cafe. The iced chocolate and cafe latte were really good. Jon had Coke. While waiting for our food to arrive, Jonnie checked out the map to work out where he was going to go.

I had a look in the shop. It was like going into the Big Bang household - so many gadgets and souvenirs.

Lunch was so big that we struggled to finish it, but we did, and Peter went on a guided talk, Jon did his own thing in the museum, and I walked between the two to make sure I knew where they both were :) .

We were told that the museum holds the largest international collection of all computing artefacts including software, hardware, photographs, oral histories, videos and documentation.

Jon was fascinated by all the hands on artefacts and looked at absolutely everything. Even with the 'how to' instructions, I found it difficult to use the slide rule. Jon had no trouble.

It was very interesting. so much to look at and so much to read. I remember the old punch cards used in computers, but had never seen an actual punch card computer.

Peter walked through the whole museum with a guided tour, and overtook Jon who was having a ball looking at everything.

 I would have a look and read of what interested me in each gallery, and then would find a seat and wait for Jon to catch up. Peter was way ahead. It also meant that I was able to watch all the video presentations at least once, while I waited. One of the videos in the software theatre had a display of many badges. This is one of them.

 As we got to the Robotics area, Peter met up with us.
Jon in the Computer Games exhibit.

Of course Star Trek was featured. Gene Roddenberry was before his time. I recall reading somewhere that the only devise/invention/innovation from Star Trek that has not become a reality is the transportor. Wait for it!!   

These chess pieces were made from computer bits.

 Peter's guided tour did not take him to the Google Car, which he wanted to see. The Google Car is a  self driving car. This gallery told the history of automated cars and displayed some science fiction about the driverless car.

 

We had only planned on staying and hour or two, but spent almost 5 hours there. We next took the Santa Cruz Hwy to Santa Cruz.

 

The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page. 
Saint Augustine