Museum of Computing facts for kids
The Museum of Computing in Swindon, England, is a special place that keeps and shows old computers. It was the first museum in the United Kingdom just for the history of computing. It opened its doors in February 2003.
What the Museum Does
The museum wants to save the history of computers. It is a great place for learning and a helpful resource for people who study history, collectors, and the media. The museum also tries to show the story of computing in a fun way.
Cool Things to See
The museum has many working machines and fun activities you can try. Past shows have included the Pong to PlayStation exhibition. This show looked at how video games changed over time. More than thirty computers from the museum were used to help write a book called Digital Retro in 2004.
Special Events and Milestones
The museum has hosted many exciting events:
- In March 2006, a show called "Calculators from the Abacus to the Microchip" opened. Sir Clive Sinclair, a famous inventor, launched this exhibition.
- In April 2007, Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, visited the museum. He is a patron of the British Computer Society, which is a group for computer professionals.
- The museum moved to a new spot at 6–7 Theatre Square in July 2009. It is located between the local library and the theatre.
- In May 2010, the museum celebrated the 30th birthday of the video game Pac-Man. They had a real-life Pac-Man game and a special show all day.
- In March 2011, the 'Gaming on the Go' exhibition celebrated 35 years of handheld game consoles. These are small devices you can play games on anywhere.
How the Museum Works
The Museum of Computing is a not-for-profit group. This means it does not aim to make money. It is mostly run by people who volunteer their time. In 2022, the museum had one employee and one director, Jeremy Holt.
