Analog Computer

This machine is the oldest computer artifact in the
Computer Museum of America collection.

Late 1940s
Homemade

This homemade analog computer was used to design aeronautical lenses, and is an early example of a CAD (Computer Aided Design) machine. The computer was programmed by wiring circuits together with scores of cables that plugged into hundreds of jacks. When in use, the front of the computer would be covered with cables. These programs calculated the coordinates for a plotter to draw the parabolic curves of lenses.

Vacuum tubes were the main staple of electronic components until the advent of solid state circuits. Inside this computer are vacuum tubes and other components available at local hardware and electronics stores following World War II.

Donor: Lance Davenport