On 2011 Jan 27, at 7:25 PM, Jay West wrote:
A local museum wants me to see if an exhibit can be
put together
pertaining to Computers in Chess.
We wouldn't be looking for just "a row of microcomputers playing
chess", we'd be looking for items of historical significance, firsts,
etc. That being said, we need items of interest to novices as well as
experts.
The duration of the exhibit would be somewhere between 3 and 6 months,
definitely not a permanent exhibit. The museum would of course pay for
professional shipping of items and insurance. The floor space
available for the exhibit could be up to 4000 sq/ft if need be. Anyone
have parts of Deep Blue? ;)
Would any listmembers have items of significance/interest to Computers
in Chess, and be willing to loan them to the museum for this exhibit?
If so, please email me off-list and if we can use it, I'll send you a
copy of the museum's facility report (which details security,
environmental controls, professional handling, etc.).
I'd also appreciate any ideas/pointers for exhibits or places to check
for items of interest.
Reminded me of the 1960s Time-Life book "Mathematics" from my
childhood, which has a nice colour photo of two guys at an IBM 704
console with a chessboard and printout of positions, and thought it
might make a nice display photo.
But I imagine you already know, as it is well-remembered:
Alex Bernstein / IBM 704 / computer chess program / 1957
http://chessprogramming.wikispaces.com/IBM+704
And apprarently there is film:
http://chessforallages.blogspot.com/2009/03/chess-on-ibm-704-1958.html
http://www.computerhistory.org/collections/accession/102645434
CHM has a whole "Computer Chess" collection.
Even neater: paper by Shannon / 1949:
http://www.pi.infn.it/%7Ecarosi/chess/shannon.txt