The Computer Museum At System Source
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Learn computer history at the Computer Museum at System Source in Hunt Valley. This extensive collec
In the final chapter of our Microsoft Mini series, Museum Founder Bob Roswell dives into Microsoft's next brilliant move: applications. Once the operating system was secure, Microsoft "slowly but surely" set its sights on the top applications of the day—transforming from a platform provider into a software empire.
By improving their (really bad) word processor until it surpassed WordStar and WordPerfect, and outmaneuvering legends like Lotus 1-2-3 with Excel, Microsoft redefined productivity. Through groundbreaking acquisitions—like the presentation system we now know as PowerPoint—they built a bundled suite that became the industry standard.
The annals of innovation have since evolved from $1,000 mail servers to the billion-dollar cloud subscriptions of today. Witness history come alive as Bob concludes our 4-part journey through the remarkable rise of the Microsoft applications era.
📺 Watch the finale (Part 4) now! Missed Parts 1, 2, or 3? Head to our profile to catch up on the full story!
Experience the legacy of these software giants firsthand at the museum. Link in bio to plan your tour! 🏛️💻
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04/23/2026
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A Byte of History: The Original Apple ][
Meet the original Apple ][, a true pioneer launched in 1977! Designed primarily by Steve Wozniak, this 8-bit home computer was one of the very first successful models made for everyone.
It cost $1,298 for 4 KB of memory, or up to $2,638 for 48 KB. Early versions used a 1 MHz processor and loaded programs using audio cassettes. A unique feature was its Integer BASIC language: if you typed "5/2," the computer would simply give you "2" (no decimals!). Its famous rainbow-striped Apple logo showed off its color graphics and became a corporate symbol for decades.
This particular Apple ][ is extra special. Steve Wozniak himself signed it during his trip to Baltimore in January 2014.
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Computer Museum at System Source
🖥️ Vintage Computers, Games & More
📍 338 Clubhouse Rd, Hunt Valley, MD 21031
📅 Tours by appointment only
☎️ (410) 771-5544
❤️ 501(c)3 non profit
03/24/2026
Today, we honor a figure who stands tall in the annals of innovation—not just for the intricate systems she designed, but for the courage she showed when her career was unjustly stripped away.
In the 1960s, Lynn Conway was a star architect at IBM, where she invented "Dynamic Instruction Scheduling." This was a groundbreaking leap that allowed computers to execute multiple instructions out of order, a concept that remains a cornerstone of modern supercomputing. However, in 1968, IBM fired her for her gender transition, and her contributions were largely erased from their official history for decades.
Forced to rebuild her career from scratch in "stealth mode," Lynn joined Xerox PARC. It was here that she triggered a technological first: the VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration) revolution. Alongside Carver Mead, she authored the definitive textbook on chip design, creating the "Mead-Conway" method.
This work effectively invented the "fabless" chip industry. By decoupling chip design from manufacturing, she empowered a generation of engineers to create the sophisticated microchips that power our phones and computers today.
In 2020, the circle finally closed when IBM issued a long-overdue formal apology for the 52 years of silence. Lynn Conway’s legacy is a fine example of a "hidden figure" whose vision shaped the world while she lived in the shadows.
As she famously said:
"If you want to change the future, start living as if you're already there."
History is full of remarkable figures who shaped the evolution of computing. Visit us at the System Source Computer Museum in Hunt Valley to explore the inventions that changed the world.
Stay tuned for more Women's History features through March and beyond.
Visit our linkin.bio to schedule a visit
Computer Museum at System Source
🖥️ Vintage Computers, Games & More
📍 338 Clubhouse Rd, Hunt Valley, MD 21031
📅 Tours by appointment only
☎️ (410) 771-5544
❤️ 501(c)3 non profit
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338 Clubhouse Road
Hunt Valley, MD
21031
Opening Hours
| Monday | 8:30am - 5pm |
| Tuesday | 8:30am - 5pm |
| Wednesday | 8:30am - 5pm |
| Thursday | 8:30am - 5pm |
| Friday | 8:30am - 5pm |
