GRiD Compass laptop computer, 1982-1990

GRiD Compass laptop computer, 1982-1990 GRiD Compass laptop computer, 1982-1990 GRiD Compass laptop computer, 1982-1990 GRiD Compass laptop computer, 1982-1990 GRiD Compass laptop computer, 1982-1990

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Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

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License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

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Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

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License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

GRiD Compass laptop computer manufactured by the GRiD Systems Corporation, including Bubble memory unit , reference documents titled ‘Management Tools Reference’ , Lotus 123 spreadsheet software, user guide and associated cables, Fremont, c. 1982

GRiD Compass laptop computer, manufactured by the GRiD Systems Corporation, Fremont, c. 1982.

A sleek and expensive computer, the GRiD Compass laptop computer was designed by Bill Moggridge. The folding clamshell design was patented by GRiD Systems and later became popular in laptop design. When the GRiD Compass first went on sale in 1982 it cost a minimum of $8000. It was designed to be portable and rugged and, though initially marketed at executives who could afford its high price, it went on to be used by the military. Notably in 1985 a Grid Compass was used on the NASA space mission STS-51-G.

Details

Category:
Computing & Data Processing
Object Number:
2013-57
Materials:
magnesium alloy, glass, plastic and metal
Measurements:
overall (closed): 50 mm x 295 mm x 380 mm, 5 kg
type:
laptop computer
credit:
Donated by Paul Blitz

Parts

GRiD 'Compass' laptop computer, 1982-1990

GRiD Compass laptop computer manufactured by the GRiD Systems Corporation, Fremont, California, United States, 1982-1990

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GRiD Compass laptop computer, manufactured by the GRiD Systems Corporation, Fremont, California, United States, 1982-1990.

A sleek and expensive computer, the GRiD Compass laptop computer was designed by Bill Moggridge. The folding clamshell design was patented by GRiD Systems and later became popular in laptop design. When the GRiD Compass first went on sale in 1982 it cost a minimum of $8000. It was designed to be portable and rugged and, though initially marketed at executives who could afford its high price, it went on to be used by the military. Notably in 1985 a Grid Compass was used on the NASA space mission STS-51-G.

Measurements:
overall: 55 mm x 300 mm x 380 mm, 5 kg
Materials:
metal alloy , glass , plastic (unidentified) , composites and electronic components
Object Number:
2013-57/1
type:
personal computer
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

reference docuements for GRiD laoptop, 1982-1990

Reference documents titled ‘Management Tools Reference’ for use with GRiD Compass laptop computer, 1982-1990

Measurements:
overall: 270 mm x 66 mm x 245 mm,
Materials:
paper
Object Number:
2013-57/3
type:
document

Lotus 123 spreadsheet software, 1982-1990

Lotus 123 spreadsheet software for use with GRiD Compass laptop computer, 1982-1990

Measurements:
Overall: 240 mm x 215 mm x 62 mm, 1.54 kg
Object Number:
2013-57/4
type:
software
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

User guide for GRiD Compass laptop computer, 1982-1990

User guide with operating system software for use with GRiD Compass laptop computer, 1982-1990

Measurements:
overall: 295 mm x 40 mm x 263 mm,
Object Number:
2013-57/5
type:
manual
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Cables associated with GRiD Compass laptop computer

Cables associated with GRiD Compass laptop computer, c. 1982

Object Number:
2013-57/6
type:
cable