Commodore 64 computer and Commodore 1541 disk drive
Date: 1982-1985
Inventory Number: 2003-1-0293e
Classification: Computer
Subject:
Maker: Commodore International (1954 - 1994)
Maker: Memorex (founded 1961)
Maker: 3M Company (1902-present)
User: Harvard Cyclotron Laboratory (1937 - 2002)
Cultural Region:
Place of Origin:
City of Use:
Dimensions:
NOT AVAILABLE
Accessories: four-shelf computer rack (2003-1-0239a); commodore video monitor (2003-1-0239b); magnetic temperature monitor (2003-1-0239c); pulse timer (2003-1-0239d); Panasonic dot-matrix printer (2003-1-0239f); two cyclotron lead bricks (2003-1-0239g, h); cardboard box with printer paper (2003-1-0239i); user's guide for commodore 64 with instructions for use, connections, installation, and service (stored next to the commodore video monitor on top shelf of computer rack); user's guide for commodore 1541 with instructions for use, maintenance, connection, installation, and service (stored next to the commodore video monitor on top shelf of computer rack); ten floppy discs stored in a cardboard box on top of external disk drive
DescriptionThe Commodore 64 computer is encased in a rectangular beige plastic box. Dark brown keyboard keys emerge from the top panel of the box. The keyboard has standard letter and number keys, and four grey colored F-command keys in a column on the right-hand side. There is a round red power indicator light in the top right-hand corner of the top panel of the computer. There is a jack for connecting a black power cable, and several other connection ports on the back panel of the box, including a printer jack (2003-1-0293f). The inner mechanisms of the computer are obscured from view by the plastic casing. However, a discussion of the computer, its specifications and history, including supplementary images, is available here.
The Commodore 1541 external floppy disk drive is encased in a beige plastic box, slightly darker and warmer than that of the computer. The disk insertion slot is located in the bottom half of the front panel of the box, and is framed with a black plastic plate. There is a square depression above and below the slot, facilitating insertion and removal of disks. There is a round black button for disk removal in the top left-hand corner of the black plastic frame. There is a round green power button in the bottom left-hand corner of the front panel of the drive. A power cord in black insulation is connected to the back of the box and plugs into one of the fifteen black power jacks on the right-hand pole of the computer rack (2003-1-0293a). The inner mechanisms of the disk drive are obscured from view by the plastic casing. However, a discussion of the drive, its specifications and history, including supplementary images, is available here.
Ten floppy disks are stored in a cardboard Memorex box that is open at one end. Four of the disks are made by the Memorex brand, the other six are made by the Highland brand. Each disc is individually stored in a paper disk sleeve. Each floppy disk consists of a circular film of magnetic memory medium encased in a black plastic square. A hole is cut through the center of both the plastic casing and the memory medium. A vertical strip is cut out of the plastic casing at the bottom of each disk. A small circular hole is cut out of the plastic casing next to the larger circular hole. The memory medium is visible around the circumference of the central hole, through the small hole cutout and through the cutout strip at the bottom of each disk. The memory medium is dark brown and mildly reflective.
The Commodore 1541 external floppy disk drive is encased in a beige plastic box, slightly darker and warmer than that of the computer. The disk insertion slot is located in the bottom half of the front panel of the box, and is framed with a black plastic plate. There is a square depression above and below the slot, facilitating insertion and removal of disks. There is a round black button for disk removal in the top left-hand corner of the black plastic frame. There is a round green power button in the bottom left-hand corner of the front panel of the drive. A power cord in black insulation is connected to the back of the box and plugs into one of the fifteen black power jacks on the right-hand pole of the computer rack (2003-1-0293a). The inner mechanisms of the disk drive are obscured from view by the plastic casing. However, a discussion of the drive, its specifications and history, including supplementary images, is available here.
Ten floppy disks are stored in a cardboard Memorex box that is open at one end. Four of the disks are made by the Memorex brand, the other six are made by the Highland brand. Each disc is individually stored in a paper disk sleeve. Each floppy disk consists of a circular film of magnetic memory medium encased in a black plastic square. A hole is cut through the center of both the plastic casing and the memory medium. A vertical strip is cut out of the plastic casing at the bottom of each disk. A small circular hole is cut out of the plastic casing next to the larger circular hole. The memory medium is visible around the circumference of the central hole, through the small hole cutout and through the cutout strip at the bottom of each disk. The memory medium is dark brown and mildly reflective.
Signedin raised white plastic on either side of a raised rainbow band on top panel of computer: commodore 64
printed in white on the blue cover of computer user's manual: COMMODORE 64
printed in black inside cover of computer user's manual: PRINTED IN USE / © 1982 / Eighth printing 1984
in raised white plastic on either side of a raised rainbow band on front panel of disk drive: commodore 1541
printed in red and white on black disk drive user's manual cover: COMMODORE / 1541 / DISK DRIVE
printed in black inside cover of disk drive user's manual: Printed in Japan / © Commodore Business Machines / Electronics Ltd., September 1982
printed in black on gold label on back of disk drive: commodore / Single Drive Floppy Disk / Model 1541 / Power: 117 Vac 0.5A 60Hz / Serial No. JA1024274 / Attempted repair by / unauthorized persons / voids warranty. / CET Made in Taiwan.
printed in black on a white label on the back of disk drive: FCCID: BR96V9 1541 / Commodore / Made in Taiwan R.D.C.;
printed in blue on grey sticker on each Memorex disks: MEMOREX / 1S/2D Flexible disk / Single Sided / Double Density
printed in black on a grey label on each Memorex disk sleeve: MEMOREX / Flexible disk
printed in blue on a white label on each Highland disk: Highland™ / DS, DD / double side / double density / [] Formatted
printed in blue on a white label on each Highland disk sleeve: Highland™ / diskettes
printed in white on the blue cover of computer user's manual: COMMODORE 64
printed in black inside cover of computer user's manual: PRINTED IN USE / © 1982 / Eighth printing 1984
in raised white plastic on either side of a raised rainbow band on front panel of disk drive: commodore 1541
printed in red and white on black disk drive user's manual cover: COMMODORE / 1541 / DISK DRIVE
printed in black inside cover of disk drive user's manual: Printed in Japan / © Commodore Business Machines / Electronics Ltd., September 1982
printed in black on gold label on back of disk drive: commodore / Single Drive Floppy Disk / Model 1541 / Power: 117 Vac 0.5A 60Hz / Serial No. JA1024274 / Attempted repair by / unauthorized persons / voids warranty. / CET Made in Taiwan.
printed in black on a white label on the back of disk drive: FCCID: BR96V9 1541 / Commodore / Made in Taiwan R.D.C.;
printed in blue on grey sticker on each Memorex disks: MEMOREX / 1S/2D Flexible disk / Single Sided / Double Density
printed in black on a grey label on each Memorex disk sleeve: MEMOREX / Flexible disk
printed in blue on a white label on each Highland disk: Highland™ / DS, DD / double side / double density / [] Formatted
printed in blue on a white label on each Highland disk sleeve: Highland™ / diskettes
Inscribedhand-written on the label of a Memorex disk: BG DISK 13 BG / TEMPMON
hand-written on the label of a Memorex disk: BG DISK 21 BG / JOY DEVELOPMENT
hand-written on the label of a Memorex disk: BG DISK 14 BG / TEMPMON BACKUP / DIODE BACKUP / PHA BACKUP / JOY BACKUP
hand-written on the label of a Memorex disk: BG DISK 15 BF / TEMPMON WORKING / COPY, 5/8/87
hand-written on the label of a Highland disk: JOY WORK 30 / 338.7 2866 -> 346.63915 / CSI IN ICE BATH
hand-written on the label of a Highland disk: JOY WORK 24 / JOY WORKING DISK #3 / 172.74 -> 219.75 / ("218.75")
hand-written on the label of a Highland disk: JOY WORK 25 / JOY WORKING DISK #4 / 8/9/90 - 9/4/90
hand-written on the label of a Highland disk: JOY WORK 27 / 9/4/90
hand-written on the label ofa Highland disk: JOY WORK 28 / PTW4 STUDIES 10/30-11/6/90 / 302.74672-309.55039
hand-written on the label of a Highland disk: JOY WORK 29 / XRI STUDIES 11/26/90-12/4/90 / 329.74805 - 337.54321
hand-written on the label of a Memorex disk: BG DISK 21 BG / JOY DEVELOPMENT
hand-written on the label of a Memorex disk: BG DISK 14 BG / TEMPMON BACKUP / DIODE BACKUP / PHA BACKUP / JOY BACKUP
hand-written on the label of a Memorex disk: BG DISK 15 BF / TEMPMON WORKING / COPY, 5/8/87
hand-written on the label of a Highland disk: JOY WORK 30 / 338.7 2866 -> 346.63915 / CSI IN ICE BATH
hand-written on the label of a Highland disk: JOY WORK 24 / JOY WORKING DISK #3 / 172.74 -> 219.75 / ("218.75")
hand-written on the label of a Highland disk: JOY WORK 25 / JOY WORKING DISK #4 / 8/9/90 - 9/4/90
hand-written on the label of a Highland disk: JOY WORK 27 / 9/4/90
hand-written on the label ofa Highland disk: JOY WORK 28 / PTW4 STUDIES 10/30-11/6/90 / 302.74672-309.55039
hand-written on the label of a Highland disk: JOY WORK 29 / XRI STUDIES 11/26/90-12/4/90 / 329.74805 - 337.54321
FunctionThe computer, external disk drive, and floppy disks were used in service of the second Harvard University cyclotron. The first Harvard cyclotron, built in 1937, was disassembled and moved to Los Alamos in 1943. Richard Wilson, who worked on the Harvard cyclotrons for 47 years and documented a history of the laboratory, divides the life of the second Harvard cyclotron into three periods. The initial phase was composed of design and initial construction efforts, reaching operation at 90 MeV. During the second phase, from 1955 until 1967, the cyclotron energy was raised to 165 MeV. The third and final phase of the cyclotron, from 1967 until 2002, was largely devoted to medical treatment and research.
A version of Wilson's history of the Harvard cyclotron laboratory is available online.
The Commodore 64 is a re-programmable, electric, digital, stored-program personal desktop computer which is usually used to perform repetitive computations (as opposed to following a single long list of instructions). As such, its function is extremely variable and flexible. This particular device, however, was used by the Harvard Cyclotron Laboratory in conjunction with the second cyclotron command station. The Commodore 64 has a built-in keyboard on the top panel. Keyboards are manual input devices through which users communicate with a computer. Keyboards are for inputting symbolic information (commonly for word processing and programming purposes). They are typically equipped with several buttons (modeled after type writer buttons) that communicate electronically with the central processing unit of the computer. A further discussion of keyboards is available here.
Floppy disks are for computational data storage and circulation. Information (files) and programs can be saved onto and recovered from them. Floppy disks are both read and written by disk drives, often stored inside the main system unit of a computer. Disk drives contain a cylindrical spindle that fits into the hole through the center of the disk. The spindle spins the circular magnetic memory medium inside the plastic casing. The drive reads and writes on the memory medium through contact points revealed in the cutout sections on the face of the disk. These particular disks were used to test, develop, and run programs in service of the second Harvard cyclotron. A more detailed discussion of the functioning, history, and uses of floppy discs is available here.
A version of Wilson's history of the Harvard cyclotron laboratory is available online.
The Commodore 64 is a re-programmable, electric, digital, stored-program personal desktop computer which is usually used to perform repetitive computations (as opposed to following a single long list of instructions). As such, its function is extremely variable and flexible. This particular device, however, was used by the Harvard Cyclotron Laboratory in conjunction with the second cyclotron command station. The Commodore 64 has a built-in keyboard on the top panel. Keyboards are manual input devices through which users communicate with a computer. Keyboards are for inputting symbolic information (commonly for word processing and programming purposes). They are typically equipped with several buttons (modeled after type writer buttons) that communicate electronically with the central processing unit of the computer. A further discussion of keyboards is available here.
Floppy disks are for computational data storage and circulation. Information (files) and programs can be saved onto and recovered from them. Floppy disks are both read and written by disk drives, often stored inside the main system unit of a computer. Disk drives contain a cylindrical spindle that fits into the hole through the center of the disk. The spindle spins the circular magnetic memory medium inside the plastic casing. The drive reads and writes on the memory medium through contact points revealed in the cutout sections on the face of the disk. These particular disks were used to test, develop, and run programs in service of the second Harvard cyclotron. A more detailed discussion of the functioning, history, and uses of floppy discs is available here.
Historical AttributesUsed in the Harvard Cyclotron Laboratory to measure the temp of the water-cooled magnets of the cyclotron in order to give warning of their overheating. The strip chart recorder associated with the Cyclotron Lab gave tracings of the temperatures. (Conversation between Sara Schechner, curator, and Bernie Gottschalk, physicist, April 25, 2006)
Primary SourcesCommodore Business Machines Electronics, Ltd., Commodore 1541 Disk Drive User's Guide; A Friendly Introduction to your 1541 Disk Drive. Printed in Japan, 1982.
Commodore Business Machines Electronics, Ltd., COMMODORE 64; USER'S GUIDE. Printed in USA, 1984 (first edition, 1982).
Commodore Business Machines Electronics, Ltd., COMMODORE 64; USER'S GUIDE. Printed in USA, 1984 (first edition, 1982).
