WHO: New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science
WHEN: FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 11:00 AM
WHERE: New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science, 1801 Mountain Road NW, Albuquerque, 87104
WHY: The gallery is being rededicated in honor of H. Edward Roberts, MD. Dr. Roberts’ Albuquerque-based company, MITS, manufactured the Altair 8800, the first computer to use the Intel 8080 CPU. In its design, the Altair was a copy of the minicomputers that were then popular with businesses, but it created an entirely new category, variously called microcomputers, home computers, and personal computers.
A generous gift of $117,000 from Paul G. Allen Family Foundation allowed the Museum to refresh the Startup: Albuquerque and the Personal Computer Revolution gallery.
SPEAKERS: Gary Friedman, President, New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science Board of Trustees; Jason Anderson, Chairman of the Board, New Mexico Museum of Natural History Foundation; Hollis J. Gillespie, Executive Director, New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science; John D. Roberts, MD, Dr. H. Edward Roberts’ son.
About STARTUP: Albuquerque and the Personal Computer Revolution
The STARTUP gallery at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, is an award-winning exhibit that tells the story of the transition of the computer from the hulking devices that once filled an entire room, to the laptop computers and iPods that we know today, highlighting the fact that the Computer Revolution was kicked off right here in Albuquerque, with Paul Allen, Bill Gates, Ed Roberts, and the MITS Altair.
STARTUP was conceived and generously funded by Paul G. Allen and Jo Lynn Allen. Additional support for the gallery was provided by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Microsoft, and the New Mexico Museum of Natural History Foundation.
About the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science
The New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science, a division of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, is a regional center of excellence in scientific research, exhibits, and science education. It is the most visited museum in the state of New Mexico and it is one of the major tourist attractions in the Land of Enchantment. The museum is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2011.