1. The Computer History Museum in San Jose, California is an institution dedicated to preserving and documenting the history of computing. It was founded in 1996 and currently houses the largest collection of computing artifacts in the world. Some interesting facts about the museum include:
- The museum’s collection includes over 100,000 objects, including computers, software, and related ephemera. This includes rare and historically significant items such as the first Apple computer, the first commercially available mouse, and a restored Cray-1 supercomputer.
- The museum is home to the Babbage Difference Engine No. 2, a mechanical computer designed by Charles Babbage in the mid-19th century. This machine is considered one of the greatest technical achievements of the industrial revolution.
- In addition to its collection, the museum holds regular exhibitions and events that explore the history of computing and its impact on society. Some recent exhibits have focused on topics such as artificial intelligence, video game history, and the rise of the personal computer.
2. The Computer History Museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10am to 5pm. Their phone number is (650) 810-1010.
3. Ticket prices for the museum vary depending on age and membership status. General adult admission is $15, while students, seniors, and veterans can get in for $12. Members of the museum are admitted for free. The museum is located at 1401 N Shoreline Blvd in Mountain View, CA, and can be reached by car or public transportation. There is ample parking available on site.