Computer History Museum

The Computer History Museum is a technology museum in Mountain View, California, focused on the evolution of computing machines. The collection holds more than 90,000 objects across over 25,000 square feet (2,300 square meters) of exhibition space, showing devices from four centuries.

An engineer in Boston started collecting old computing devices in the late 1960s because he feared they would disappear. His private collection grew over decades and eventually moved to its current location in 2002.

Inside, you can see how calculating machines from the 1800s evolved into portable devices that everyone carries today. The displays trace the path from mechanical parts made of wood and metal to the tiny chips that power smartphones.

The museum opens Tuesday through Sunday and offers guided tours and workshops for different age groups. On Fridays, the building stays open longer in the evening so working visitors can stop by after hours.

A restored IBM mainframe from the 1960s runs live demonstrations regularly and executes simple programs stored on punch cards. Visitors can watch as the machine rattles and lights blink across its panels.

Location: Mountain View

Inception: 1996

Official opening: 2003

Fee: Yes

Address: 1401 N Shoreline Blvd

Opening Hours: Wednesday-Sunday 10:00-17:00

Phone: +16508101010

Website: https://computerhistory.org

GPS coordinates: 37.41440,-122.07700

Latest update: December 12, 2025 17:56