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This is a CRAY-1, an early example of a class of computers called "supercomputers." It was built by Cray Research, Inc. of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, and installed at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder, Colorado. Unlike most computers, it was hand-wired, and its circuits were arranged in a three-quarters circle. Both helped increase the speeds at which signals travel from one part of the computer to another. Hefty power supplies are located below each of the circuit bays, and the padding on them suggests a piece of lounge furniture.

At NCAR, the machine was used between 1977 and 1983, where it performed complex calculations involving the numerical modeling of weather phenomena. As the speeds of ordinary workstations increased over the years, it became obsolete and was donated to the Smithsonian.

 Display Status

This object is on display in One World Connected at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC.

One World Connected
Object Details
Country of Origin United States of America Type INSTRUMENTS-Computers, General Purpose Manufacturer Cray Research, Inc.
 Dimensions 3-D: 144.8 × 139.7 × 195.6cm, 1730.5kg (4 ft. 9 in. × 4 ft. 7 in. × 6 ft. 5 in., 3815lb.)
 Materials Frame: Aluminum, with circuit boards attached. Wires in interior.
 Inventory Number A19880565000 Credit Line Gift of Cray Research, Inc. Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Open Access (CCO)
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use. You may also like Are You Sure You Want to Donate This? Beyond The Limits National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC Past Exhibition