IBM Technical History Project oral histories
Creation: 1980-1991Abstract
The IBM Technical History Project was begun in 1980 following the suggestion that books be written about IBM's technical history. The books that were subsequently written were based, in part, on 361 oral history interviews. This collection contains the interviews bound in eight volumes.
Dates
- Creation: 1980-1991
Creator
- International Business Machines Corporation (Organization)
Extent
1 Linear Foot
Historical Note
The IBM Technical History Project was begun in 1980 following the suggestion by Emanuel R. Piore (1908-2000), former vice president and chief scientist, to Frank T. Cary (1920-2006), chairman, that books be written about IBM's technical history. The first volume, The IBM file memory development effort, was printed internally in 1981. There followed three volumes published by MIT Press: Memories that shaped an industry by Emerson W. Pugh (1929-), IBM's early computers by Charles J. Bashe, Lyle R. Johnson (1920-2015), John H. Palmer, and Pugh, and IBM's 360 and early 370 systems by Pugh, Johnson, and Palmer.
Scope and Contents
There are a total of 361 oral history interviews bound in eight volumes. The volumes were compiled by Caroline C. Coppola in 1987 and 1991. One volume contains summaries of 151 interviews conducted by Emerson W. Pugh pertaining to the first two books. There are transcripts of 125 interviews in four volumes pertaining to IBM's early computers and 85 interviews in three volumes pertaining to IBM's 360 and early 370 systems. These last two series include a short synopsis of subjects covered in each interview. The volumes contain material that was omitted from the books.
Location of Copies
Additional copy in Charles Babbage Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Access Restrictions
No restrictions on access; this collection is open for research.
Use Restrictions
Quotation requires permission of both interviewer and interviewee.
Language of Materials
English
Subjects
Finding Aid & Administrative Information
- Title:
- IBM Technical History Project oral histories
- Description rules:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description:
- English
- Script of description:
- Latin
Revision Statements
- 2021: Ashley Williams
Repository Details
Repository Details
Part of the Manuscripts and Archives Repository
