The first of the museums we entered was the Smithsonian History & Technology Museum. And so, it was technology and history that we saw. Though the technology was the interesting part!
The caption on the slide states "Burroughs Navigation Computer". Much
online searching turns up little about this. Perhaps it is a more general
computer with appropriate I/O for navigational purposes. Nor are
any of the readable signs indicating its purpose. Clearly too large
for anything other than ship use, or land based calculations, perhaps
to be downloaded to a mobile system.
Ah, memories. Of memory technology! The rectangular item on the left is a
Magnetic Core Memory Plane.
The big glass tube in the middle, and I presume the smaller one to the right, is an
Electrostatic Storage Tube.
A technology that, fortunately, predates me. It has been really interesting to
see the developments in computer memory over the last 4 decades.
MIT's Whirlwind
computer was ground breaking in many areas. It was the first computer to operate
in "real time" (meaning it keeps up with activity in the real world), used
video displays for output, and was not an electronic version of a mechanical system.
The project also invented core memory (see above)! And its successor went on to
act as the basis for the SAGE air defense system.
Part of the Princeton Institute for Advanced Study's first computer.
Note that IAS has
no
formal links with Princeton University. The IAS's scholar lists include
Albert Einstein, J Robert Oppenheimer and John von Neuman. The latter was
a pioneer in electronic computing, including this machine. Indeed, most modern
computers use what is called a "von Neumann architecture". This machine was
proof of his theories about computer design, and bought some rigour to the
fledgling industry.
A very early steam locomotive. Note the absence of a driver's cab - unpleasant
in good weather, horrible in rain or wind, though perhaps service was suspended
under such conditions. Also interesting is the size of the cow catcher out front.
Steam locomotives from probably almost the beginning and end of their period.
The little one of the left is presumably fairly old, though perhaps was intended
for special, limited service, such as logging. The large one is likely from near
the end of the steam era, being large and powerful for express trains or heavy trains.
A steam motor, used for powering farm machinery, such as thrashing machines,
as indicated by the photos on the wall.
The automotive arena. All very early, judging by the technology employed, such as
the front suspension of the "Knox" vehicle belonging to "Pope & Talbot Lumber".
A glass model of the US Capitol building. Made by somebody with great skills and patience.
Around Washington DC
Canada and USA