Research
The Computer History Museum welcomes use of its collections by all researchers, including teachers, students, media members, intellectual property specialists, computer hobbyists, and others. The archival collection consists of manuals, books, marketing brochures, periodicals, technical reports and other types of documentation listed in more than 20,000 catalog entries in our collections database which includes over 15,000 entries for physical artifcacts.
Using the Collection
We suggest starting your research with a search of our collections database.
To request audiovisual materials please access the audiovisual requests form.
For all other items, we will gladly provide you with a complimentary search of our collections to determine if we have artifacts relating to your request. To request access to the collection or to discuss a research project in general, please send an email to research@computerhistory.org.
Research Policies & Fees
Museum membership is required for access to research materials. Your membership fees help support our mission to preserve the history of computing for future generations. Membership rates vary based on use of the collection.
| RESEARCH TYPE | MEMBERSHIP LEVEL | HOURLY RATES | PHOTOCOPIES | |
| Professional | Core Club ($1000/year) | $150/hour | $0.50/page | |
| Educational | Educational ($50/year) | $50/hour | $0.50/page | |
| Student | Student ($40/year) | FREE (3 Hours Max) | $0.25/page |
Professional Researcher
Researcher representing entities for which the research outcome is financial (for example: lawyers, consultants, corporations, the motion picture industry) must become members at the Core Club level ($1,000) before accessing the collection.
Core Club Membership entitles members to:
- 1 free hour of research per year.
- Additional hours are billed at $150 an hour.
Educational & Student Researcher
Individuals writing scholarly papers, dissertations, pursuing other academic projects, or having a keen interest in computing history are asked to join the Museum at the Educational level. Students may join the Museum at the Student level.
Educational Membership Level entitles members to:
- 1 free hour of research per year.
- Additional hours are billed at $50 an hour.
Student Membership Level entitles members to:
- FREE (3 Hours Max) per year???
We will gladly consider waiving fees for graduate or undergraduate students with a valid university ID. These students may email the Senior Curator for assistance.
On-Site Research
If pursuing research on-site, the Computer History Museum is located in Mountain View, California. A staff member is required to be present, and research appointments must be scheduled in advance. Appointments are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Specialized research projects that necessitate a substantial investment of staff time, whether undertaken by individuals or on behalf of professional entities, may require special arrangements with Museum staff. To request access to the collection, to discuss a research project or for general research questions, please send an email to research@computerhistory.org.
We appreciate your help and support in preserving the history of computing!