Archives Center, National Museum of American History
Computer Standards Collection
International Standards Organization (ISO).
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Physical Sciences and Mathematics
Bemer, Robert M.
NMAH.AC.0310
Archival Resource Key
4.6 Cubic feet
10 boxes
1958-1979
Papers collected by Robert W. Bemer (1920-2004) during his involvement in setting language and data standards during the early years of the computer industry.
English
.
Scope and Contents
Correspondence, reports, publications, meeting minutes, and bulletins of standards committees relating to ALGOL, COBOL, and the International Standards Organization (ISO) subcommittee on character sets (ANSI X3L2). The ALGOL records include correspondence to the ALGOL Maintenance Subcommittee (Association for Computing Machinery) and information about the International Algebraic Language, XTRAN source language for FORTRAN, and the SHARE ALGOL 60 translator. The COBOL records (1960-1969) include material from CODASYL, the European Computer Manufacturer's Association, SHARE, and the American Standards Association. The ISO records (1959- 1979) relate exclusively to the standards for data formats and codes and includes material from other standards organizations.
Source
Bruce H. Bruemmer, Resources for the History of Computing: A Guide to U. S. and Canadian Records (Minneapolis, MN: Charles Babbage Institute, University of Minnesota, 1987), pp. 30 31.]
Preferred Citation
Computer Standards Collection, 1958-1978, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
This material was donated to the Smithsonian Institution in June 1979 by the compiler, Robert W. Bemer.
Biographical / Historical
This collection was put together by Robert W. Bemer during his involvement in setting language and data standards for the early computer industry. He accumulated a collection of material from organizations and individuals relating to computer standards.
Custodial History
Collection transferred to the Archives Center from the Division of Physical Sciences and Mathematics (now Division of Medicine and Science), August 18, 1988.
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Processing Information
Processed by Craig A. Orr, archivist.
Standardization -- Computers -- 1950-1980
Reports -- 1950-1980
ALGOL (Computer program language)
Business records -- 1950-2000
Correspondence -- 1950-2000
Computer programming -- 1950-1980
Computer industry -- 1950-1980
Computers -- History -- 1950-1980
Computers -- 1950-1980
Computers -- Standards -- 1950-1980
Pamphlets -- 1950-2000
Minutes
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Physical Sciences and Mathematics
COBOL (Computer program language).
ISO Code -- General History, Volume 1: thru May 1961
Archival Resource Key
1
ISO Code -- General History, Volume 2: thru January 1962
Archival Resource Key
2
ISO Code -- General History, Volume 3: thru September 1962
Archival Resource Key
3
ISO Code -- General History, Volume 4: thru April 1964
Archival Resource Key
4
ISO Code -- General History, Volume 5: thru August 1966
Archival Resource Key
5
ISO Code -- General History, Volume 6: thru April 1972
Archival Resource Key
6
ISO Code -- General History, Volume 7: thru March 1979
Archival Resource Key
7
ALGOL Bulletin: March 1959-August 1961
Archival Resource Key
8
APIC Bulletin: June 1960-October 1964
Archival Resource Key
8
The Globotype Telegraph: A Recording Instrument . . . patented by David Mc. Callum, London: Longman, Brown, Green and Longmans, 1856.
Archival Resource Key
8
Dolotta, T. A., Functional Specifications for Typewriter-LikeTime-Sharing Terminals, reprinted from Computing Surveys, Volume 2,
no. 1 (March 1970).
Archival Resource Key
8
Hopper, Grace Murray, Electronic Data-Processing: Techniques, Methods Applications, reprinted from Control Engineering
Archival Resource Key
circa 1956
8
ALGOL (XTRAN) -- History, Volume 1: May 1957- December 1960
Archival Resource Key
9
ALGOL (XTRAN) -- History, Volume 2: December 1960-October 1962
Archival Resource Key
9
ALGOL (XTRAN) -- History, Volume 3: ca. 1960- 1971
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9
COBOL--History, Volume 2: September 1960- February 1965
Archival Resource Key
10
COBOL--History, Volume 3: June 1965-June 1967
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10
COBOL--History, Volume 4: ca. 1964-1969
Archival Resource Key
10