Computers - Deutsches Museum

The museum opened its first exhibition on computers more than 30 years ago. This exhibition examines the amazing history of the development of computing technology across an area of 1,000 square metres.

Exhibition closed

The second half of the museum is currently being renovated, which is why this area has been closed since July 2022. The modernisation of the exhibition is scheduled to be completed in 2028, the 125th anniversary of the museum's founding.

How were Computers born?

Computers have become an indispensable part of our everyday lives. But how has their technology developed over time? Embark on a voyage of discovery – from the very beginnings of computing technology and the accurate calculating machines of the 18th century, to Konrad Zuse’s first program-controlled computer, which ushered in the age of the universal computer. This would open up a new world in which ever larger amounts of data could be systematically displayed, stored and processed. Our journey then guides visitors through the information technology of the 1960s, from the introduction of the first computer chip to the development of home computers and large high-performance computers.

1735The oldest original mechanical calculating machine in the exhibition dates from around this period.

1941The year when Konrad Zuse created the world's first programmable binary computer, the Z3.

8,192The number of 51-bit data words that could be stored by the PERM computer in 1952.

“I think there is a world market for maybe five computers.”

Thomas Watson, Chairman of IBM, 1943

Exhibition Themes

Large Astrolabe made by Erasmus Habermel. — Large astrolabe made by Erasmus Habermel, front side with fixed star chart (rete), from the Kunstkammer of Rudolph II, signed: Erasmus Habermel faciebat '88, gilt brass, diameter 402 mm, Prague, around 1588, Inv.-Nr. 29028. Photo: Deutsches Museum

Mathematical Instruments and Analogue Computers

The Deutsches Museum collection contains a wealth of historical mathematical instruments. Sectors and protractors, astrolabes and sundials, slide rules and planimeters illustrate various analogue calculation methods with lengths and angles. The often great age of these instruments is irrelevant: used correctly, they still display the correct calculation results, thanks to their very precisely engraved scales. Electromechanical and electronic analogue calculators demonstrate the development of mechanical analogue calculating devices up to the 1960s.

Calculating Machine — Fully functional calculating machine capable of the four basic arithmetic operations, constructed by Johann Christoph Schuster between 1789 and 1792 in Uffenheim, Germany, Inv.-Nr. 5048. Photo: Deutsches Museum Digital | Konrad Rainer

Digital Computing

Nowadays, we associate the term “digital” with any information that is processed by a computer. However, the word actually has its origins in the Latin term digitus (meaning finger). We use our fingers to count – so the oldest digital computing device is our hand! This gave rise to the English term "digit".

This exhibition area is all about the history and mechanisation of computing: how does calculation with an abacus work? Who invented the first calculating machine? What major challenges had to be overcome and what inventions were necessary? When did calculating machines become a mass product? You will find answers to all these questions here.

Konrad Zuse in front of his replica of the Z3 in the Deutsches Museum. — Computer pioneer Konrad Zuse in front of his replica of the Z3 in the Deutsches Museum, June 1984. Photo: Deutsches Museum

Universal Computers

The age of the universal computer began in 1941 with Konrad Zuse’s first fully functional and programmable Z3 calculating machine. Experience first-hand the impressive difference in size of early computers: from early electromechanical relay computers to the electronic valve computers of the early 1950s, and the first transistor computers right up to the first computers with integrated circuits, or microprocessors. The exhibition also vividly illustrates the development of historical storage and output methods along with elementary logic circuits.

Kryha cipher machine, in open position. — Kryha cipher machine, in open position, Alexander von Kryha, Berlin-Charlottenburg, around 1926, Inv.-Nr. 62797. Photo: Deutsches Museum

Cryptological Devices and Machines

Since the Second World War, the history of computer science has been closely intertwined with the history of cryptology. The exhibition’s cryptology cabinet features a small selection of cipher machines from the Deutsches Museum collection; it previews the forthcoming permanent exhibition “Image Script Codes”, which is expected to open in late 2021.

“There is no reason for any individual to have a computer in his home.”

Ken Olsen, Digital Equipment Corporation, 1977

Inside the Computers Exhibition

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Horizontal and equatorial sundial. — Horizontal and equatorial sundial, southern German, end of the 16th century Photo: Deutsches Museum

Sector, made from brass. — Brass sector, mid-17th century, Inv.-Nr. 72881 Photo: Deutsches Museum

Direct multiplier calculator from the Millionaire calculating machine. — Inside the Millionaire calculating machine is a direct multiplier calculator that is read mechanically. Hans W. Egli AG, Zurich, around 1905, Inv.-Nr. 7157T2 Photo: Deutsches Museum

An analogue computer from the 1940s. — A 1940s analogue computer for solving ordinary differential equations mechanically. Institut für Praktische Mathematik (IPM), Technischen Hochschule Darmstadt, Germany, together with A. Ott, Kempten, Germany, 1941-44, Inv.-Nr. 75500 Photo: Deutsches Museum

Replica of the first calculating machine capable of the four basic arithmetic operations, constructed by Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz. — Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz constructed the first calculating machine capable of the four basic arithmetic operations. This is a replica from 1923. The original dates back to around 1700 and is located in the Landesbibliothek Hannover, Germany, Inv.-Nr. 56956. Photo: Deutsches Museum

Full view of the original Zuse Z4 — Overall view of the original Zuse Z4, a relay computer made by Konrad Zuse with a mechanical memory. It was hidden in the Allgäu region of Germany from 1945 to 1950. Berlin, 1942–45, Inv.-Nr. 74692 Photo: Deutsches Museum

Rotor cipher machine ENIGMA M4, with housing and rotor boxes. — Rotor cipher machine ENIGMA M4, 4-rotor version, with housing and rotor boxes from around 1944, Inv.-Nr. 1984-0584;1-3 Photo: Deutsches Museum

Hagelin Cryptographer C-36 cipher machine. — The Swedish Hagelin Cryptographer C-36 cipher machine was presented to the Deutsches Museum personally by Boris Hagelin, Aktiebolaget Cryptoteknik, Stockholm 1937, Inv.-Nr. 73800. Photo: Deutsches Museum

Brief Tour of the Computers Exhibition

Curator Carola Dahlke guides us through the exhibition and presents selected pieces from computing and microelectronics. The film is currently only available in German.

Facts

1,400 sqm exhibition area
700 exhibits
Around 40 interactive activity stations
The exhibition is on Level 3

Any Questions?

Dr. Carola Dahlke
Curator
Computer Science and Cryptology Department

Email c.dahlke@deutsches-museum.de

Computers – the History of the Calculating Machine