Computers of all ages take up the back wall of the technology exhibit "Grace's Place," which is dedicated to Grace Hopper, an early pioneer in computing and noted for being the most well known programmer.
Old computers find a home
The University of Missouri-St. Louis has plenty of exhibits to keep students busy. But hidden on the second floor of the Computer Center Building is one that is not your typical art show.
“Grace’s Place,” named after Admiral Grace Hopper, who did outstanding work to help create the modern day computer, is filled with hundreds of old pieces that some might consider junk. But Vicki Sauter, professor of information science and the curator of Grace’s Place, considers every piece a work of art. “The reason we all look at art is to see where things … have come from, and to see why things are the way they are,” Sauter said.
When it comes to history, Sauter has it all. Candlestick telephones, computers from all ages, ancient copy machines, modems, typewriters, mice, voicemail machines that cover an entire table and cell phones the size of a brick are all on display.
“The sociology of watching people respond to them is fascinating. A lot of people my age say, ‘I remember those tubes,’ and ‘I did one of those wiring boards in class,’” Sauter said. Every archaic part is on display with the purpose of helping young and old understand where we came from, where we are and where we are going.
For six years now, Grace’s Place has been educating students on what makes their computers tick. Vacuum tubes, mainframes, circuit boards and everything that hooks them together are also on display and waiting to be gawked at.
“The original thought was that students don’t take apart their computers any more. Kids just don’t have a feel for what it means. So we were going to have a couple of cases with things taken apart, so kids could see what they were. It just kind of got out of control,” Sauter said.
Which is more than true. Computer monitors large and small line one side from floor to ceiling, copiers are jammed in the corner and all of the cases are filled to the brim with floppy disks and toy computers. But there is more that is not out on display. Exhibits are rotated in to try and get everything out where visitors can view it.
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