Bellaire Museum of Computer History Opens

Bellaire, TX (PRWEB) June 14, 2007

Bellaire, TX, has a new museum with displays of historical computer components. The history of electronic digital computers goes back to 1941, and that of microcomputers to 1975. Now, students and enthusiasts in the Houston area have a resource featuring many of the machines and systems which made their marks in the early days of the computer business.

“We’re very pleased to make these systems available in our display cases, and for discussion. One of my favorites is the Compaq luggable. It was one of the first PC clones, and really put Houston on the map in the computer industry,” said Mike Angwin, the founder of the museum and its principal benefactor.

The museum is located at 5302 Bellaire Blvd., in Bellaire, just outside the West Loop 610. It is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. For small parties of up to six people, it is free. For large groups of seven or more, please make special arrangements.

Featured in the museum are the modem from an early Texas bulletin board system, 1986; one of the first Compaq portables from 1982; a Radio Shack TRS-80 with eight inch floppy disk drive, 1981; an old IBM disk drive from circa 1973; a Super Elf microcomputer from Quest, 1978. The museum also has one of the early acoustically coupled modems from the 1970s rated for 100 baud.

“We’ve already received several pieces of donated equipment in addition to our original showcase items. We’d be delighted to hear from people with older model microcomputers who don’t want to throw away their memories. Please call first, though, as we have limited display space,” museum manager Jay Hall commented.

Additional information on the museum is available at the store, or by calling 713-664-0002. Ask for Mike or Jay.

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