'Retrocomputing' Exhibit Showcases the Dynamic History of the Personal Computer

Retrocomputing, a new exhibit in Vanderbilt’s Science and Engineering Library, showcases the remarkable series of breakthroughs that took place during the early days of personal computing. All members of the Vanderbilt community are invited to learn about and interact with the vintage computers from the 1970s and 1980s.

The exhibit was curated by Clifford Anderson, associate university librarian for research and digital strategy and professor of religious studies. During the spring 2022 semester, Anderson co-taught CMA 1001: Retro-Computing with Lutz Koepnick, Max Kade Foundation Chair in German studies and professor of cinema and media arts. The course invited students across disciplines to explore the world of retrocomputing by taking a deep dive into the Apple II computer and MOS Technology 6502 microprocessor.

“Retrocomputing, or the exploration of obsolete computers as platforms for contemporary creative expression, has been rising in prominence among both academics and the public,” Anderson said. “I’m equally excited about this campus exhibit, which invites visitors to explore the origins of personal computers and consider how older platforms shaped our cultural perceptions of computing.” Read more …