The Computer sheds - Jim Austin Computer Collection

The Computer Sheds
IBM 3094 Mainframe	The Computer Sheds hold the Jim Austin Computer Collection, over 1500 computers and many thousands of other artifacts such as books, calculators, spares, test equipment as well as a fine collection of Radios and Valves (the RadioShed). It has some incredible items including a computer that weighs over 10 Tons, a computer that ran for over 30 years, one of the first computer mice, and many others. It is one of the largest collections of computers and related technology anywhere. This web site gives an overview of the collection and some of the items we have. The collection is open to the public. Because its a private collection its only open to guided tours. This can be any number from, individuals to large groups. Details of how to book are at the bottom of this page. To access descriptions of some of the items in the sheds use the menu bar at the base of the page. Note that as a history museum this site uses very early web technology! Please click on the menu at the bottom of the screen to access information on some of the items in the collection. Updates and New information When items are added/changed and updated to the web-site they can be found here. HOT NEWS We have been featured in an article in Hull Daily Mail in August. We are to be featured on BBC Radio Humberside 30th August 2024. A part of the collection is on display at the Computer Science Department, University of York. This includes displays of calculators, work stations and computer games. The Collection The collection was started in about 1986, and represents the technical development of computing from the earliest days to the present day. It holds examples from every generation of computers - mechanical, relay, valve, transistor, and all the variations of integrated circuit. It has a fine collection of supercomputers and a huge IBM mainframe. As well as ten Cray supercomputers. It has one of the largest collections on show of Cray's and Digital Equipment Corporation computers anywhere. It is housed in over 8000 sq ft of buildings and organized into manufactures. Visiting the collection If you would like to visit the collection, we do guided tours for individuals and groups, please email me on jim.austin@york.ac.uk or phone. Its advisable to wrap up warm in the winter, as it can be quite cold. A reasonable time to spend at the museum is 3 hours. We only ask for a donation in return for the Guided Tour (Typically £15.00 per person). The preferred datas are Saturdays starting at 2.00pm. Some dates for 2025 are Jan 11,25 Feb 8,22 March 8,22 April 5,19 Groups of upto 6 can be accepted easily - more than this please contact us. Help with the Collection The collection is under constant change and relies on its band of helpers to operate. We meet every other Saturday throughout the year. If you are interested in helping out, from just moving things about to mending and maintaining equipment please contact us. Finding and Contacting us The Computer Sheds are on Google .. Enter "Computer Sheds Museum" in google to get a map and related information. email: jim.austin@york.ac.uk The sheds can be found in Fimber on the East Yorkshire Wolds, 20 miles East of York in the UK. Information We are looking for information on all the machines in the collection, please mail us if you have any information on the computers. We are looking for both technical information and your own personal thoughts, so if you have any experience with these machines please get in touch. I hope you enjoy the site and will see some of the machines from the past are worth collecting! Thanks to loads of people who have helped, donated, shifted the machines. To download a printable flyer press here (with a MAP of how to find us). Click here for links to other computer related sites. Last update: June 2024 (see here for updates).	0	Some of the collection
Jim Austin with Jasmine Harman on Collectorhollics (BBC)	Altair 8800
A Part of EDSAC II	Early Calculator

The Computer Sheds hold the Jim Austin Computer Collection, over 1500 computers and many thousands of other artifacts such as books, calculators, spares, test equipment as well as a fine collection of Radios and Valves (the RadioShed). It has some incredible items including a computer that weighs over 10 Tons, a computer that ran for over 30 years, one of the first computer mice, and many others. It is one of the largest collections of computers and related technology anywhere.

This web site gives an overview of the collection and some of the items we have. The collection is open to the public. Because its a private collection its only open to guided tours. This can be any number from, individuals to large groups. Details of how to book are at the bottom of this page.

To access descriptions of some of the items in the sheds use the menu bar at the base of the page. Note that as a history museum this site uses very early web technology!

Please click on the menu at the bottom of the screen to access information on some of the items in the collection.

Updates and New information

When items are added/changed and updated to the web-site they can be found here.

A part of the collection is on display at the Computer Science Department, University of York. This includes displays of calculators, work stations and computer games.

The Collection

The collection was started in about 1986, and represents the technical development of computing from the earliest days to the present day. It holds examples from every generation of computers - mechanical, relay, valve, transistor, and all the variations of integrated circuit. It has a fine collection of supercomputers and a huge IBM mainframe. As well as ten Cray supercomputers. It has one of the largest collections on show of Cray's and Digital Equipment Corporation computers anywhere.

Visiting the collection

If you would like to visit the collection, we do guided tours for individuals and groups, please email me on jim.austin@york.ac.uk or phone. Its advisable to wrap up warm in the winter, as it can be quite cold. A reasonable time to spend at the museum is 3 hours. We only ask for a donation in return for the Guided Tour (Typically £15.00 per person).

The preferred datas are Saturdays starting at 2.00pm. Some dates for 2025 are

Jan 11,25

Feb 8,22

March 8,22

April 5,19

Groups of upto 6 can be accepted easily - more than this please contact us.

Help with the Collection

The collection is under constant change and relies on its band of helpers to operate. We meet every other Saturday throughout the year. If you are interested in helping out, from just moving things about to mending and maintaining equipment please contact us.

The Computer Sheds are on Google .. Enter "Computer Sheds Museum" in google to get a map and related information.

The sheds can be found in Fimber on the East Yorkshire Wolds, 20 miles East of York in the UK.

Information

We are looking for information on all the machines in the collection, please mail us if you have any information on the computers. We are looking for both technical information and your own personal thoughts, so if you have any experience with these machines please get in touch. I hope you enjoy the site and will see some of the machines from the past are worth collecting! Thanks to loads of people who have helped, donated, shifted the machines.