Living Computers: Museum + Labs
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Primary sources|date=November 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox museum
| name =
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| logo = Living Computers Museum + Labs logo.png
| logo_upright =
| logo_alt = LCM+L Logo
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| image =LCM+L_Exterior1.jpg
| image_upright =
| caption = Exterior of the museum
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| established = {{Start date|2012|10|25}}
| dissolved = {{End date|2020|02}}
| location = 2245 1st Avenue South
Seattle, Washington, U.S.
| coordinates = {{coord|47.582487|N|122.334708|W|display=inline,title}}
| type = Computer museum
| accreditation =
| key_holdings = PDP-10, IBM Mainframes, Apple 1, PLATO
| collections =
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| founder = Paul Allen
| director =
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| curator = Aaron Alcorn
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| publictransit = King County Metro, Link light rail
| parking =
| car_park = Onsite and Street Parking
| website = {{URL|http://www.livingcomputers.org/}}
| network =
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Living Computers: Museum + Labs (LCM+L) was a computer and technology museum located in the SoDo neighborhood of Seattle, Washington. LCM+L showcased vintage computers which provided interactive sessions, either through time-sharing operating systems or single-user interfaces. This gave users a chance to actually use the computers online or in-person in the museum. An expansion had added direct touch experiences with contemporary technologies such as self-driving cars, the internet of things, big data, and robotics. LCM+L had also hosted a wide range of educational programs and events in their state-of-the art classroom and lab spaces.
According to an archived version of LCM+L's website, their goal was "to breathe life back into our machines so the public can experience what it was like to see them, hear them, and interact with them. We make our systems accessible by allowing people to come and interact with them, and by making them available over the Internet."{{cite web|url=http://www.livingcomputermuseum.org/About-Us/What-is-Living-Computer-Museum.aspx | title=What is Living Computer Museum? | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161024130958/http://www.livingcomputermuseum.org/About-Us/What-is-Living-Computer-Museum.aspx | accessdate=October 24, 2016| archive-date=October 24, 2016 | url-status=dead}}
The museum closed in February 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite web|url=https://livingcomputers.org/Closure.aspx|title=LIVING COMPUTERS: MUSEUM + LABS IS CLOSING FOR NOW|accessdate=July 10, 2022|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240315143713/https://livingcomputers.org/Closure.aspx|archive-date=March 15, 2024}} In June 2024, The Paul Allen Estate announced that the museum would be permanently closed and that the museum's collection, most of which was owned by the Estate and not the museum itself, would be auctioned off by Christie's.{{Cite web |date=July 8, 2024 |title=Inside the historic computer collection of Microsoft co-founder Paul G. Allen |url=https://www.christies.com/en/stories/paul-allen-computer-collection-d946162ef5744d7bb43c4459733bf9cf |website=Christie's}}
History
File:Harry Garland and Paul Allen.jpg and Paul Allen at an event honoring computer pioneers at the museum in April 2013]]
LCM+L (originally known as Living Computer Museum, and before that, PDPplanet.com) was founded by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, on January 9, 2006. Through PDPplanet, users were able to Telnet into vintage devices and experience timesharing computing on equipment from Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) and XKL.{{cite press release|title=Paul G. Allen Launches Web Site Dedicated to Early Computers; PDPplanet.com Site Celebrates Historic Mainframes and Minicomputers {{!}} Business Wire|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20060109005921/en/Paul-G.-Allen-Launches-Web-Site-Dedicated|website=www.businesswire.com|accessdate=July 4, 2018}}
Users around the world could request a login through the LCM+L website and telnet into systems from XKL, DEC, IBM, Xerox Sigma, AT&T, and CDC.{{cite web|url=https://livingcomputers.org/Discover/Online-Systems/Request-a-Login.aspx|title=Application for a Guest Account on the Living Computers: Museum + Labs|accessdate=July 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181130132342/https://livingcomputers.org/Discover/Online-Systems/Request-a-Login.aspx|archive-date=November 30, 2018|url-status=dead}}
The museum opened to the public on October 25, 2012, and guests could visit in person to interact with the collection of mainframes, minicomputers, microcomputers and peripherals the museum had on display.{{cite web|title=Home - Living Computer Museum|url=https://livingcomputers.org/|accessdate=July 4, 2018|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180702220656/https://livingcomputers.org/}} Various and changing exhibits in the museum showed how much computers and technology had changed over the last 50 years and were changing still.{{cite web|title=Seattle's Living Computer Museum tempts tech tourists|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/destinations/2012/11/03/seattles-living-computer-museum/1678271/|website=USA Today|accessdate=August 17, 2016}} In 2013, Seattle Weekly voted the museum the "Best Geeky Museum" because it highlighted "an essential part of Seattle binary history - the founding of Microsoft and its role in establishing Seattle as a tech-driven industry".{{cite web|title=Best Geeky Museum: Living Computer Museum|url=http://archive.seattleweekly.com/bestof/948010-129/museum-computer-living-seattle-allen-changed|accessdate=August 17, 2016}}
On November 18, 2016, the institution changed its name to Living Computers: Museum + Labs to reflect its enlarged goals of igniting curiosity through direct touch experiences with contemporary technologies as well as vintage computers.{{cite web |url=https://www.geekwire.com/2016/paul-allens-living-computers-museum-labs-rebranded-expanded-better-ignite-curiosity/ |title=Paul Allen's Living Computers: Museum + Labs rebranded and expanded to better 'ignite curiosity' |date=October 25, 2016 |website=GeekWire |first=Kurt |last=Schlosser}}
The museum closed in February 2020 and did not reopen afterward due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite web |url=https://seattlecollegian.com/paul-allens-living-computers-museum-remains-closed-after-years-despite-lifted-covid-restrictions/ |title=Paul Allen's Living Computers Museum remains closed after years, despite lifted COVID restrictions |date=25 September 2022 |first=Kayvon |last=Bumpus}} The Allen Estate announced the museum's permanent closure in June 2024 with plans to auction off some materials in the collection.{{cite news |last=Schlosser |first=Kurt |date=June 25, 2024 |title=Seattle's Living Computers Museum logs off for good as Paul Allen estate will auction vintage items |url=https://www.geekwire.com/2024/seattles-living-computers-museum-logs-off-for-good-as-paul-allen-estate-will-auction-vintage-items/ |work=GeekWire |accessdate=June 25, 2024}}
Collections and exhibits
The collection consists of publicly donated items and Paul Allen's personal collection. The working computers on display included one supercomputer, seven mainframes, 10 minicomputers, and over three dozen microcomputers.
Various artifacts from the museum were borrowed and featured in TV shows such as Mad Men{{cite web|title=Fashion and Style: Episode 704: Mad Men: The Monolith|url=http://www.amc.com/shows/mad-men/video-extras/season-07/episode-04/fashion-and-style-episode-704-mad-men-the-monolith|website=AMC}} and Halt and Catch Fire.{{cite web|title=Welcome To 1986: Inside "Halt And Catch Fire's" High-Tech Time Machine|url=https://www.fastcompany.com/3063135/most-creative-people/welcome-to-1986-inside-halt-and-catch-fires-high-tech-time-machine|date=August 27, 2016}}
{{wide image|Living Computer Museum pano 01.jpg|1000px|A roughly 180° panorama of the "conditioned" room at the Living Computer Museum containing mainframes and large minicomputers|left}}
=Computers=
| {{Table|sort}}
! Manufacturer !! Model !! Type !! Year Introduced !! Available for public use !! Telnet access{{cite web | title=Request a login | accessdate=October 31, 2017 | url=https://www.livingcomputers.org/Computer-Collection/Online-Systems/Request-A-Login.aspx | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024205742/https://www.livingcomputers.org/Computer-Collection/Online-Systems/Request-A-Login.aspx | archive-date=October 24, 2020 | url-status=dead }} | |||||
| Amazon | Kindle 1{{Citation needed|date=February 2019}} | hand-held | 2007 | {{yes}} | {{no}} |
| Amiga | 500{{Citation needed|date=February 2019}} | microcomputer | 1987 | {{yes}} | {{no}} |
| Apple | Apple 1{{Citation needed|date=October 2018}} | microcomputer | 1976 | {{yes}} | {{no}} |
| Apple | II{{cite web | title=Vintage Computers | accessdate=December 26, 2019 | url=https://www.livingcomputers.org/Computer-Collection/Vintage-Computers.aspx | url-status=dead | archive-date=January 2, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200102211247/https://livingcomputers.org/Computer-Collection/Vintage-Computers.aspx }} | microcomputer | 1977 | {{yes}} | {{no}} |
| Apple | IIe | microcomputer | 1983 | {{yes}} | {{no}} |
| Apple | III{{Citation needed|date=February 2019}} | microcomputer | 1980 | {{yes}} | {{no}} |
| Apple | Lisa 2 | microcomputer | 1984 | {{yes}} | {{no}} |
| Apple | iMac G3{{citation needed|date=December 2017}} | microcomputer | 1998 | {{yes}}{{Citation needed|date=December 2017}} | {{no}} |
| Apple | Macintosh SE | microcomputer | 1987 | {{yes}} | {{no}} |
| Apple | Power Mac G4{{Citation needed|date=February 2019}} | microcomputer | 1999 | {{yes}} | {{no}} |
| AT&T | DMD 5620 / 3B2{{Citation needed|date=December 2017}} | minicomputer | 1983 | {{yes}} | {{yes}} |
| Atari | 2600{{citation needed|date=July 2018}} | video game console | 1977 | {{yes}} | {{no}} |
| Atari | 400 | microcomputer | 1979 | {{yes}} | {{no}} |
| Atari | 1040 ST | microcomputer | 1985 | {{yes}} | {{no}} |
| Columbia Data Products | MPC 1600{{Citation needed|date=February 2019}} | microcomputer | 1982 | {{yes}} | {{no}} |
| Commodore | PET | microcomputer | 1977 | {{yes}} | {{no}} |
| Commodore | 64 | microcomputer | 1982 | {{yes}} | {{no}} |
| Compaq | DeskPro 386S | microcomputer | 1989 | {{yes}} | {{no}} |
| Compaq | Portable | microcomputer | 1983 | {{yes}} | {{no}} |
| Control Data | CDC 6500 | supercomputer | 1967 | {{no}} | {{yes}} |
| Control Data | DD60 monitor | operator console | 1964 | {{no}} | {{no}} |
| Control Data | 405 card reader | peripheral | 1964 | {{no}} | {{no}} |
| Control Data | CDC 679-6 magnetic tape transport | peripheral | 1964 | {{no}} | {{no}} |
| Cray | Cray-1{{citation |author=Miller |first=Michael J. |title=Visiting the Living Computers Museum |date=August 17, 2017 |url=https://www.pcmag.com/article/355652/visiting-the-living-computers-museum |work=PC Magazine}} | mainframe | 1975 | {{no}} | {{no}} |
| Cromemco | Z-2D | microcomputer | 1978 | {{yes}} | {{no}} |
| Data General | Nova | minicomputer | 1969 | {{yes}} | {{no}} |
| DEC | PDP-7 | minicomputer | 1964 | {{no}} | {{no}} |
| DEC | PDP-8/E | minicomputer | 1970 | {{yes}} | {{no}} |
| DEC | PDP-10 KA10 (DECsystem-10) | mainframe | 1968{{Cite web|url=http://www.bitsavers.org/www.computer.museum.uq.edu.au/pdf/DEC-10-HMAA-D%20PDP-10%20KA10%20Central%20Processor%20Maintenance%20Manual%20Volume%20I.pdf|title=PDP10 manual|date=Dec 1968}} | {{no}} | {{no}} |
| DEC | PDP-10 KI10 (DECsystem-10) | mainframe | 1971 | {{no}} | {{no}}{{Citation needed|date=October 2018}} |
| DEC | PDP-10 KL10 (DECSYSTEM-2065) | mainframe | 1974 | {{yes}} | {{yes}} |
| DEC | PDP-10 KL10 (DECSYSTEM-1095) | mainframe | 1974 | {{yes}} | {{yes}} |
| DEC | PDP-10 KS10 (DECSYSTEM-2020) | mainframe | 1979 | {{yes}} | {{yes}}{{Citation needed|date=October 2018}} |
| DEC | PDP-11/70 | minicomputer | 1975 | {{yes}} | {{yes}} |
| DEC | PDP-12 | minicomputer | 1969 | {{no}} | {{no}} |
| DEC | VAX-11/780-5 | minicomputer | 1982 | {{yes}} | {{yes}} |
| DEC | VT131{{Citation needed|date=December 2017}} | terminal | 1981 | {{yes}}{{Citation needed|date=December 2017}} | {{no}} |
| Dell | Dimension XPS B733 | microcomputer | 1999 | {{yes}} | {{no}} |
| E.S.R. | Digi-Comp II reproduction{{citation needed|date=July 2018}} | toy computer | 1965 (original patent); 2012 (reproduction) | {{yes}} | {{no}} |
| Honeywell | 6180 DPS-8/M maintenance panel and Multics emulator | peripheral; emulation of mainframe | 1973 (mainframe) | {{no}} | {{no}} |
| IBM | System/360 Model 30 mainframe | mainframe | 1964 | {{no}} | {{no}} |
| IBM | System/360 Model 91 front panel{{Citation needed|date=December 2017}} | peripheral | 1966 | {{no}} | {{no}} |
| IBM | 029 card punch{{Citation needed|date=December 2017}} | peripheral | 1964 | {{yes}}{{Citation needed|date=March 2018}} | {{no}} |
| IBM | 4361{{Failed verification|date=December 2017}} | mainframe | 1983 | {{yes}} | {{yes}} |
| IBM | Personal Computer 5150 | microcomputer | 1981 | {{yes}} | {{no}} |
| IBM | PCjr | microcomputer | 1984 | {{yes}} | {{no}} |
| IBM | PC/AT | microcomputer | 1984 | {{yes}} | {{no}} |
| IMLAC Corporation | PDS-1 "sImlac" emulator | emulation of minicomputer | 1970s (minicomputer); 2017 (emulator) | {{yes}} | {{no}} |
| IMSAI | 8080 | microcomputer | 1975 | {{yes}} | {{no}} |
| Interdata | 7/32 | minicomputer | 1974 | {{yes}} | {{yes}}{{Citation needed|date=October 2018}} |
| MITS | Altair 8800 | microcomputer | 1975 | {{yes}} | {{no}} |
| Microsoft | PixelSense | microcomputer | 2007 | {{yes}} | {{no}} |
| NeXT | NeXTcube{{Citation needed|date=February 2019}} | microcomputer | 1990 | {{yes}} | {{no}} |
| Nintendo | NES-101{{Citation needed|date=February 2019}} | video game console | 1993 | {{yes}} | {{no}} |
| Osborne | Executive | microcomputer | 1982 | {{yes}} | {{no}} |
| PLATO | Terminal V{{Citation needed|date=February 2019}} | microcomputer | 1976 | {{yes}} | {{no}} |
| Processor Technology | Sol-20 | microcomputer | 1976 | {{yes}} | {{no}} |
| Radio Shack | TRS-80 Model 4 | microcomputer | 1983 | {{yes}} | {{no}} |
| Sun Microsystems | 3/160 | microcomputer | 1986 | {{yes}} | {{no}} |
| Tandy | 1000 | microcomputer | 1984 | {{yes}} | {{no}} |
| Tandy | Color Computer 3{{Citation needed|date=February 2019}} | microcomputer | 1986 | {{yes}} | {{no}} |
| Teletype | Model 33{{Citation needed|date=December 2017}} | terminal | 1963 | {{no}} | {{no}} |
| Teletype | Model 35{{Citation needed|date=December 2017}} | terminal | 1963 | {{no}} | {{no}} |
| Teletype | Model 37{{Citation needed|date=December 2017}} | terminal | 1968 | {{no}} | {{no}} |
| Texas Instruments | Speak & Spell Compact{{Citation needed|date=February 2019}} | hand-held | 1982 | {{yes}} | {{no}} |
| Texas Instruments | TI-99/4A{{Citation needed|date=December 2017}} | microcomputer | 1981 | {{yes}} | {{no}} |
| Xerox | Sigma 9 | mainframe | 1971 | {{yes}} | {{yes}} |
| Xerox | Alto | minicomputer | 1973 | {{yes}} | {{no}} |
| Xerox | Alto "ContrAlto" simulator | emulation of minicomputer | 1973 (minicomputer); 2016 (emulator) | {{yes}} | {{no}} |
| XKL | TOAD-1 | mainframe | 1995 | {{yes}} | {{no}} |
| XKL | TOAD-2 | mainframe | 2005 | {{yes}} | {{yes}} |
References
{{Reflist}}
Further reading
{{refbegin}}
- {{citation|title=Visiting the Living Computers Museum|author=Michael J. Miller|work=PC Magazine|date=August 17, 2017|url=https://www.pcmag.com/article/355652/visiting-the-living-computers-museum}}
- [https://www.engadget.com/2014/10/19/inside-seattle-vr-summit/ Engadget - Inside Seattle's invitation-only VR summit]
- [https://www.engadget.com/2014/08/21/seattles-living-computer-museum/ Engadget - We took a nostalgic look around Seattle's Living Computer Museum]
- [https://www.fastcompany.com/3063135/most-creative-people/welcome-to-1986-inside-halt-and-catch-fires-high-tech-time-machine FC Technology - Welcome to 1986: Inside "Halt and Catch Fire's" High-Tech Time Machine]
- [https://www.forbes.com/sites/clareoconnor/2013/04/04/bill-gates-and-paul-allen-reunite-and-recreate-classic-1981-microsoft-photo/#1f0d0eaf5ad5 Forbes - Bill Gates and Paul Allen Reunite and Recreate Classic 1981 Microsoft Photo]
- [http://www.foxnews.com/travel/seattles-living-computer-museum-not-just-for-techies Fox News Travel - Seattle's Living Computer Museum: not just for techies]
- [http://www.geekwire.com/2011/paul-allens-quest-32bit-computer-built-interdata/ Geek Wire - Paul Allen's quest: A 32-bit computer built by Interdata]
- [http://www.geekwire.com/2015/go-inside-paul-allens-living-computer-museum-with-this-3d-virtual-tour/ Geek Wire - Go inside Paul Allen's Living Computer Museum with this 3D virtual tour]
- [http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-ebola-tech-20141118-story.html LA Times - High-tech effort calls up smartphones for Ebola Battle]
- [http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/04/04/a-place-where-old-computers-go-to-live/?_r=0 NYT Bits - A Place where Old Computers Go to Live]
- [http://www.oregonlive.com/travel/index.ssf/2016/02/living_computer_museum_is_a_fa.html Oregon Live - Living Computer Museum offers a hands-on tour of the digital age]
- [http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2012/11/post_151.html Oregon Live - Paul Allen's Living Computer Museum pays homage to trailblazing PCs]
- [http://physics.uoregon.edu/outreach/movies/pdplives/ PDP-7 Lights Up the Living Computer Museum]
- [http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/paul-allens-new-seattle-computer-museum-not-just-for-geeks/ Seattle Times - Paul Allen's new Seattle computer museum not just for geeks]
- [https://www.sciencedaily.com/videos/505144.htm Science Daily - Inside Seattle's Living Computer Museum]
- [http://archive.seattleweekly.com/bestof/948010-129/museum-computer-living-seattle-allen-changed Seattle Weekly - Best Geeky Museum: Living Computer Museum]
- [https://www.economist.com/news/science-and-technology/21629443-weekend-programming-project-aims-save-lives-half-world-away-keeping-skin-out-game The Economist - Keeping skin out of the game]
- [http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2014/10/17/two-geeks-and-an-art-critic-visit-paul-allens-living-computer-museum The Stranger - Two Geeks and an Art Critic Visit Paul Allen's Living Computer Museum]
- [https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/destinations/2012/11/03/seattles-living-computer-museum/1678271/ USA Today Video - Seattle's Living Computer Museum Tempts Tech Tourists]
- [https://www.wsj.com/video/a-look-inside-paul-allen-living-computer-museum/F6B90E91-3B81-4E98-86AB-49EAE44FC341.html WSJ Video - A Look Inside Paul Allen's Living Computer Museum]
{{refend}}
External links
{{Commons category|Living Computer Museum}}
- {{Official website|http://www.livingcomputermuseum.org/ }}
- [https://petewarden.com/2015/04/26/why-you-should-visit-the-living-computer-museum-in-seattle/ Pete Warden Blog: Why you should visit the Living Computer Museum in Seattle]
- [http://opac.libraryworld.com/opac/signin?libraryname=LIVING%20COMPUTERS Search the LCM+L Library and Archive Catalog!]
{{SoDo, Seattle}}
{{Museums in Puget Sound}}
Category:Computer museums in the United States
Category:Industry museums in Washington (state)
Category:Museums established in 2006
Category:Museums disestablished in 2024