Object Details
Description
Born in Detroit, Michigan, in 1934, David Morrow was a high school dropout. He returned to school at the age of 28, receiving a bachelor's degree in physics from Stanford University and a master’s in mathematics from the University of Oklahoma. While studying for a PhD. in mathematics at the University of California at Berkeley, he began working as a programmer in the computer lab and became fascinated with computers After the Altair 8800 microcomputer came on the market in 1975, Morrow joined the Homebrew Computer Club.
Morrow soon decided to start his own business, selling computer boards, microcomputers, and related peripherals under a variety of company names. The Morrow Micro Decisions line, a product of Morrow Designs, was first offered in 1982, the company lasted until 1986. This particular Morrow microcomputer has serial number 34-27922. The museum number number covers the central processing unit and two cables (one for power, one that connects to the monitor). It also is used for the following software and documentation:
1. a black three-ring binder contining a set of sheets prepared by Lawrence J. Magid, Ph. D. and Harrison Schreppel entitled "Micro Decision User's Guide." This is copyrighted 1982. It describes in detail what is supposed to be in the system
2, a gray paperback book entitled "Digital Research CP/M2.2 Operating System User Reference Manual." This was published by Digital Research in 1982.
3. a gray box containing eleven 5 1/4" diskettes. These are:
Disks 1-5 - Personal Pearl Distribution Diskette, serial number 34-1003806 - copyright 1982 Aspen Software - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Morrow Designs, Inc.
Disc 6 - Software Distribution Diskette 1 - Correct-It Rev. 1.0 - copyright 1982 Aspen Software ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Morrow Designs, Inc.
Disc 7 - Software Distribution Diskette 2 - MBASIC Rev. 5.21 copyright 1979 Microsoft, Inc.; BaZic Rev. 3.03 - copyright 1982 MicroMike's, Inc.- ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Morrow Designs, Inc.
Disc 8 - Software Distribution Diskette - 3 - LogiCalc Rev. E.01FP copyright 1982 Software Products International, Inc. - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Morrow Designs, Inc.
Disc 9 - CP /M Distribution Diskette - Morrow Designs Micro-Decision 64k CP/M Vers. 2.2 Rev. 2.1 - copyright '76, '77, '78, '79, '80 Digital Research - Copyright 1982 Morrow Designs, Inc.
Disc 10 - Programmer's Utility Diskette - Morrow Designs Micro-Decision
Disc 11- CPM 2.2 - copy 2
The keyboard has museum object number 1996.0193.02 and the monitor is 1996.0193.03.
References:
Laurie Baggiani, “The Morrow Micro Decision,” Creative Computing , May, 1984, vol. 10, p. 28 – online at The Morrow Micro Decision. (atarimagazines.com)
“George Morrow,” Wikipedia, accessed August 10, 2023.
Location
Currently not on view
Credit Line
Janet C. Smalley
date made
1982
ID Number
1996.0193.01
catalog number
1996.0193.01
accession number
1996.0193
Object Name
Microcomputer
Physical Description
manufactured (overall production method/technique)
metal, silicon, rubber, plastic (overall material)
Measurements
overall: 5 1/2 in x 17 in x 11 1/2 in; 13.97 cm x 43.18 cm x 29.21 cm
See more items in
Medicine and Science: Computers
Data Source
National Museum of American History
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmah_334734