Milestone-Proposal talk:Special Citation: Heinz Nixdorf MuseumsForum (HNF)

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Advocate's Assessment -- Dmichelson (talk) 08:09, 21 April 2021 (UTC)

As the advocate, I have reviewed this Milestone proposal against the recommended criteria for Special Citations:

1. How long has the museum/archives/historical site been open?

2. How many visitors does it receive in a year?

3. What special artifacts, papers, or other scholarly resources does it contain, and how are these displayed to the public and/or made available to researchers.

4. Have materials in the collection been cited in books or articles?

Against these criteria, the Milestone proposal scores very highly. The Heinz Nixdorf MuseumsForum is well established, has a significant collection housed in a significant space, draws a large number of visitors per year, actively engages with other computer history museums, and is engaged in all main facets of museum activity including public education, preservation of artifacts, and hosting of meetings and conferences. Moreover, there is adequate supporting material from a variety of sources to back up these claims.

I recommend the following modified citation:

One of the largest computer museums in the world, the Heinz Nixdorf MuseumsForum presents 5000 years of computing history from the emergence of numbers and lettering circa 3000 B.C. to the modern digital age. By continuously adding presentations, workshops and seminars to its exhibition, it provides a broad audience with the insights and perspectives required to navigate a world that is ever more determined by digital technology. (67 words)

The proposer has replied: "The edited citation is great. I thought that it would be good if a native speaker reviews it; done."

I have obtained or entered independent reviews from three technical experts, including:

- Marc Weber, Curatorial Director of the Internet History Program, at the Computer History Museum

- Dr. William Aspray of the Charles Babbage Institute and Chair of the IEEE Computer History Committee,.

- Doron Swade, Director of the Babbage Project

Given that these technical experts agree that the proposal has merit, I recommend that it be placed on the agenda for the next meeting of the IEEE History Committee for consideration.

Re: Advocate's Assessment -- Dmichelson (talk) 14:56, 21 April 2021 (UTC)

Computer History Museum, 1401 N. Shoreline Blvd, Mountain View, CA 94043, T 650.810.1010, F 650.810.1055, computerhistory.org

March 4, 2021, IEEE History Committee, IEEE History Center, 445 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, NJ 08854 U.S.A.

Dear History Committee,

I am writing to enthusiastically support the application of the Heinz Nixdorf MuseumsForum (HNF) for an IEEE Milestone (Special Citation).

The HNF is one of the largest computer museums in the world and plays a critical role in the education of a broad audience on the topic of computer history. It has an outstanding collection of historic artifacts in its wonderful exhibitions, and many interactive and engaging installations that lead the visitors through 5000 years from the invention of numbers and writing to our modern, digital age. It is also deeply engaged in the historic community and takes an active role in promoting the importance of history for our society and its future.

The Computer History Museum (CHM) has cooperated with the HNF in several ways for decades, and we have always had a very fruitful exchange of ideas. HNF is the only major, dedicated computer museum in Europe, and with us one of only two in the world. As such it is an essential cultural institution for the history and future of technology.

In the interest of transparency I should note that I have been involved in the process for IEEE Milestones, notably the one for Douglas Engelbart's 1968 demo, and am a corresponding member of the IEEE History Committee.

I support the application fully and without reservation and confirm that the HNF is an essential institution that deserves this Citation.

Sincerely,

Marc Weber, Curatorial Director, Internet History Program, Computer History Museum, +1 415 282 6868, marc@webhistory.org, www.computerhistory.org/nethistory

- - - - On Apr 21, 2021, at 06:32, William Aspray wrote:

HNF is one of the largest and most important computer museums in the world. It falls in the same class with the Computer History Museum in California and the computer exhibits at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, Deutsches Museum, and Science Museum of London. HNF has two primary missions: to be a history museum and a science and technology education museum, and it does an excellent job at both of these missions. As far as the education mission goes, the museum has multiple groups of school children visiting almost every day, as well as tours and other programs for the general public. As for the history mission, the museum has a strong collection of early calculators, and they have supplemented this collection through a combination of purchased and borrowed computing artifacts. The permanent exhibit is historically accurate and insightful, largely a testimony to the lead curator, who today is the head of research at the Deutsches Museum. Special historical exhibits appear almost every year. The museum has a small archival collection and superb conferencing facilities, and the museum has regularly engaged with the international history of computing community. For example, I have visited as a historian of computing at least half a dozen times over the years. I wholeheartedly support this application.

William Aspray, Senior Research Fellow, Charles Babbage Institute, and, 2021 Chair, IEEE Computer Society History Committee

- - - -

Re: Advocate's Assessment -- Joachim Wiest (talk) 16:22, 21 April 2021 (UTC)

The proposer supports the modified text of the citation and updated the proposal.