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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 not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.

Object Details

Country of Origin

United States of America

Type

INSTRUMENTS-Computers, General Purpose

Manufacturer

Cray Research, Inc.

Dimensions

3-D: 97.8 × 43.8 × 63.5cm (3 ft. 2 1/2 in. × 1 ft. 5 1/4 in. × 2 ft. 1 in.)

Materials

Aluminum Alloy
Copper Alloy
Rubber
Ferrous Alloy
Paint
Uncharacterized Foam
Plastic
Fiberglass
Adhesive
Ink

Inventory Number

A19880565002

Credit Line

Gift of Cray Research, Inc.

Data Source

National Air and Space Museum

Restrictions & Rights

Usage conditions apply
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