Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, this captivating museum is a treasure trove of knowledge and innovation about the computer and its creation. As soon as you enter, you’ll find yourself surrounded by the history of computing, told through interactive exhibits, fascinating artifacts, and inspiring stories. Here is all the information if you want to dive into computer history in the heart of Silicon Valley.
Cost, Location & More
- Cost: Admission to the Computer History Museum is priced at $20 for adults, $17 for students, and free for children aged seven and under.
- Location: The CHM is located at 1401 N Shoreline Blvd, Mountain View, CA
The Museum
Once inside, you’ll journey through time, from the early days of computers and punch card systems to the present and future, with cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence and virtual reality. While you can see it in an hour, I recommend a few hours to really make the most of the extensive exhibits.
If you are there when they demo it, the punch card exhibit is one of the best things to do. Here, they will show you how computations were done before the modern computers we know today, and they can print a paper with your name that you can take home with you.
One of the absolute must-see exhibits at the Computer History Museum is the “Revolution: The First 2000 Years of Computing” exhibit. This incredible display takes you through the evolution of computers, showcasing everything from the iconic ENIAC to vintage computer systems that will make you appreciate just how far we’ve come.
Another exhibit to see is the “Babbage Engine,” a working model of Charles Babbage’s mechanical computing engine, which was conceived back in the early 19th century.
These are just a few of the main exhibits at the museum, but there are many more. From unique showcases on video games and robotics to exhibitions celebrating the impact of women in computing, there’s always something new and exciting to discover.
So, whether you’re a tech geek seeking to immerse yourself in the fascinating world of computing or simply someone who’s curious about the incredible journey of human ingenuity, the Computer History Museum in San Jose is an absolute must-visit. If you want to explore more spots I recommend in San Jose, check out this post and be sure to let us know what you think in the comments.
