Monash Museum of Computing History

The Monash Museum of Computing History, Monash University is an exciting visual exploration of computer technology and how it has changed our lives. The Museum has a display of computer technology ranging from the first calculating systems to the introduction of computers with memory. A visit to the Museum highlights how quickly computers have become an accepted part of our world and forces us to think about the impact they have had on our society.

The Museum is a project of the Faculty of Information Technology, Monash University and aims to provide a visual display of computing history as well as establish a reference collection demonstrating the use of computing technology at the university. The Museum has a growing collection of historical computer technology. If you are interested in donating material, please contact the Director, .

The display is available for general viewing. School and group tours of the Museum can be arranged.

Display open hours: Monday-Friday 9am - 5pm in the Foyer, Level 2, Building B, Caulfield campus, Monash University

New on this site

Current news and events

A history of the formation of the Faculty of IT at Monash

We have published a new book, entitled From Ferranti to Faculty: Information Technology at Monash University, 1960 to 1990 by Sarah Rood examines the background of the different schools and departments that are now combined to form the Faculty. The book is available from Monash ePress, see the book table of contents can be seen, and the book can be bought here.

Computing in Melbourne: A Historical Tour

Keep visiting this web site for; we are planning our second historical tour of computing in Melbourne. Our experimental guided tour on the 16 th of August 2008 was declared a success, the web site http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/~gfarr/tour/ describes the tour route and documents the trial run. The second guided tour will be in October or November.

Monash University celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Clayton campus

In 2008 Monash University will hold a series of events to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the creation of the University. Please check the Monash website for details.

Recent donations

The Museum has acquired several new items over the past months including a large range of early CPUs and memory storage systems which we received from Max Burnet who also acts as Consultant for the Museum. This selection of storage systems provides an insight into the rapidly changing technology of information storage.

Recent past events

Book launch - August 2008

The Faculty of Information Technology, Monash University launched a new book, a history of the Faculty August 2008. This book, entitled From Ferranti to Faculty: Information Technology at Monash University, 1960 to 1990 by Sarah Rood examines the background of the different schools and departments that are now combined to form the Faculty. The book is available from Monash ePress, at this web site.

The launch event was well attended, (over 100 people), some photos are available at http://infotech.monash.edu.au/about/events/2008/ferranti-booklaunch.html

Special Seminar – Thursday April 17, 2008

The Monash Museum of Computing History announced a public seminar at Caulfield campus, Monash University. This event was open to the general public and members of the Faculty Alumni as well as University staff and researchers.

MyLifeBits - an Experiment in Lifetime Storage
Special Seminar hosted by the Monash Museum of Computing History and Monash University e-Research Centre with guest speaker, Gordon Bell.

Program of events

  • 3:00 - 4:00 pm Seminar by Gordon Bell on MyLifeBits project; venue Lecture Theatre B215 for Seminar;
  • 4:00 - 4.30 pm Afternoon Tea; venue Building B level 2;
  • 4.30 - 5.30 pm Workshop and discussion with Gordon Bell on building computer museums, venue Tutorial Room B224;
  • 6:00 pm for Cocktails; venue Monash Museum of Computing History exhibition space, Level 2 Foyer, Building B

All events were in Building B, Level 2, Caulfield campus, Monash University.

Seminar details

Gordon Bell did speak about his latest work in developing the MyLifeBits project which is an experiment in using multimedia to record every aspect of his daily life. This includes everything he has accumulated, written, photographed and presented. The digital world has presented us all with a vast amount of ephemera. The MyLifeBits project seeks to record these in a personal transaction processing database.

Gordon has a long career in the computing industry starting with 23 years (1960-1983) at Digital Equipment Corporation as Vice President of Research and Development, where he was responsible for Digital's products. He was the architect of various mini- and time-sharing computers (e.g. the PDP-6) and led the development of DEC's VAX and the VAX Computing Environment.

Currently Gordon is a principal researcher in Microsoft Research Silicon Valley, working in the San Francisco  Laboratory.

Workshop details

Gordon did give an informal talk on “building computer museums” for supporters of the Monash Museum of Computing History (MMoCH).  Gordonstarted the Computer History Museum when he was working at Digital Equipment Corporation and realized that the history of computing needed to be preserved. The Computer History Museum is now housed in Silicon Valley, California.  Gordon will speak about his involvement with establishing theMuseum and guiding it through its various stages of development.