Just 40 minutes from Pillar Point RV Park is the Computer History Museum.  After hearing a number of RVers tell us how interesting it was, we decided to check it out.

From the ancient form of slide rules 2,000 years ago, to the abacus, to the latest in technology and its culture, the Computer History Museum takes you through the journey that was known not only for its life changing accomplishments, but also for its stunning failures.    Learn about the beginnings of the internet, the people who shaped computer technology and those who marketed it. 

Did you know?  Initially, computers were actually considered people.  People who would count and compute numbers were called "computers".

Did you know?  Pixar, the movie company that is responsible for such smash hit movies as "Toy Story" and "Finding Nemo", started out as a medical computer company. Doctors didn't take to the system very well, but the demo videos were popular and soon the company was making television commercials for "Listerine" and "Life Savers". There's a deal with Disney etc. and the rest is history.   You can read more of that story here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pixar

The museum also follows the development of computers for games.  Follow the story of "Pong" or catch the special exhibit running through May 2014, that features the IBM Watson computing system that made history on the quiz show "Jeopardy!". Come to the museum and write your name on the podium from the original "Jeopardy!" stage set, play "Jeopardy!" with a simulated version of Watson and learn about cognitive computing.



Visitors also get to sit inside a Google Street View car, ride a Street View trike and hear behind the scenes stories from the Google Street view team.



The first calculators certainly wouldn't fit in your pocket or on a keychain like they do these days.


"This Day in Computer History"
http://www.computerhistory.org/tdih/







There is a lot to see and do at the Museum. Docent-led tours and demonstrations occur on a daily basis.  Please call 650.810.1010 for the daily schedule.








We want to thank Chris Garcia, curator of the museum for all his time, sharing his depth of knowledge and for having a copy of Hamilton's "Heart - 20 Years Of Rock and Roll" CD ROM that came out in 1994!

P.S.  Loved your TARDIS shoes!





Hours:
Wednesday-Sunday 10am-5pm

General Admission: $15
Students/Seniors/Active Military: $12
Kids under 12: free

Address:
1401 N Shoreline Blvd
Mountain View, CA 94043
(650) 810-1010
http://www.computerhistory.org/

From Pillar Point RV Park:
Take a right as you exit Pillar Point RV Park
Take a left on Highway 92 (Approx 3 miles)
Take US-101 South toward San Jose.
Take Shoreline Blvd exit.
Turn left onto Shoreline Blvd.
Cross through intersection.
Museum is on your right

Use this link if you're coming from a different location:
http://www.computerhistory.org/directions/