Communication system. Monitor
Communication system. Monitor, speaker, computer and DVD unit
- Materials:
- metal (unknown) and plastic (unidentified)
- Object Number:
- 2021-561/530/1
- type:
- computer
- Image ©
- The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Computer / Communication system for wheelchair
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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
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
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
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Communication system and accessories in box.
In addition to the technological objects that were in Hawking’s office in his last years, the Science Museum Group has a significant collection of his wheelchairs and electronic equipment which supported his mobility and communication. These items represent three decades of innovation and tinkering in response to the challenges originating from Hawking’s progressing disability. This comprehensive group of objects bears testament to the technological progress in mobility over a generation, and to Stephen's growing needs as his condition worsened.
When Hawking first started using this office, he could still operate his own wheelchair, and he interacted with his computers using clickers in both hands. Over subsequent years, it became increasingly difficult to use his hands to drive or operate his communications interface, requiring new, creative solutions.
During the two decades in this office, Hawking’s condition worsened. Many different external groups provided solutions, including companies specialising in disability aids, and teams within larger companies such as Intel, Google and Microsoft. Most significant however were the 'tinkering' innovations by Hawking’s 'Graduate Assistants' (GAs), who were in day-to-day charge of these technologies, and constantly tried out improvements. In the last two decades of his life, Hawking went from operating his computers using manual clickers, to a system that detected the movement of his cheek with infrared light. There were also regular attempts to modernise his synthesizer system, a task that turned out quite challenging as Hawking considered the 1980s synthetic voice his own. A quite comprehensive lineage of these technological improvements, which would have been kept in the GA's office next door, are now preserved as part of the collection.
Details
- Category:
- Stephen Hawking Office
- Collection:
- Stephen Hawking’s Office
- Object Number:
- 2021-561/530
- Materials:
- metal (unknown), plastic (unidentified), paint, solder, steel (metal) and cardboard
- Measurements:
-
overall: 158 mm x 542 mm x 414 mm,
- type:
- computer
- credit:
- Accepted in lieu of Inheritance Tax by H M Government from the Estate of Stephen Hawking and allocated to the Science Museum, 2021
Parts
Black metal box with XLR4 to XLR 5 connectors
Black metal box with XLR4 to XLR 5 connectors
- Measurements:
-
overall: 105 mm x 82 mm x 62 mm, .485 kg
- Materials:
- metal (unknown) and paint
- Object Number:
- 2021-561/530/2
- type:
- electronics
- Image ©
- The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Computer in black enclosure. Enclosure includes sprung flaps covering ports and drives
Computer in black enclosure. Enclosure includes sprung flaps covering ports and drives. Includes DVD, PCUs, separate USB expansion board, two USB to serial adapters, ATI Radeon 7500C chip, Wireless card Intel WM3B2100
- Measurements:
-
overall: 1680 mm x 337 mm x 46 mm, 2.85 kg
- Materials:
- metal (unknown) , plastic (unidentified) and solder
- Object Number:
- 2021-561/530/3
- type:
- computer
- Image ©
- The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Grey cable
Grey cable.
- Materials:
- metal (unknown) and plastic (unidentified)
- Object Number:
- 2021-561/530/4
- type:
- cables
- Image ©
- The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Grey cable with a black and a white connector
Grey cable with a black and a white connector, made by RS.
- Measurements:
-
overall: 17 mm x 2650 mm x 35 mm, .115 kg
- Materials:
- plastic (unidentified) and metal (unknown)
- Object Number:
- 2021-561/530/5
- type:
- cables
- Image ©
- The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Black cable made by RS and Neutrik
Black cable made by RS and Neutrik, partially repaired with electrical tape around one connector.
- Materials:
- plastic (unidentified) and metal (unknown)
- Object Number:
- 2021-561/530/6
- type:
- cables
- Image ©
- The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Cable in black and white mesh with metal connectors
Cable in black and white mesh with metal connectors, made by Fischer.
- Measurements:
-
overall: 24 mm x 1700 mm x 53 mm, .41 kg
- Materials:
- plastic (unidentified) and steel (metal)
- Object Number:
- 2021-561/530/7
- type:
- cables
- Image ©
- The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Black cable with metal connectors
Black cable with metal connectors, partially repaired with electrical tape around one connector.
- Measurements:
-
overall: 20 mm x 1765 mm x 21 mm, .15 kg
- Materials:
- plastic (unidentified) and metal (unknown)
- Object Number:
- 2021-561/530/8
- type:
- cables
- Image ©
- The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Black cable wrapped in black mesh with two metal connectors
Black cable wrapped in black mesh with two metal connectors, partially repaired with electrical tape around one connector.
- Measurements:
-
overall: 20 mm x 1660 mm x 70 mm, .48 kg
- Materials:
- plastic (unidentified) and metal (unknown)
- Object Number:
- 2021-561/530/9
- type:
- cables
- Image ©
- The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Cardboard box for communication systems
Cardboard box for communication systems
- Measurements:
-
overall: 158 mm x 542 mm x 414 mm, .565 kg
- Materials:
- cardboard
- Object Number:
- 2021-561/530/10
- type:
- box - container
- Image ©
- The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Cable for computer monitor
Cable for computer monitor.
- Measurements:
-
overall: 20 mm x 1830 mm x 20 mm, .135 kg
- Materials:
- metal (unknown) and plastic (unidentified)
- Object Number:
- 2021-561/530/11
- type:
- cables
- Image ©
- The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
