Kingston University to open permanent retro computing showcase in September
A free exhibition from August 5 to 11 will give the public access to more than 60 playable computers and consoles before the archive moves into its permanent university space.
Kingston University’s August exhibition will feature more than 60 playable computers and consoles spanning the 1970s to the present day
A collection of early microcomputers and game consoles will gain a permanent home at Kingston University in September, creating a space for students, staff and the public to explore computing systems, programming and the development of digital technology.
The Archive of Retro Computing showcase will be based in room SB3033 of the Sopwith Building at the university’s Penrhyn Road campus. A specific September opening date and access arrangements have not yet been provided.
Ahead of the permanent installation, Kingston University will hold a free public exhibition at its Town House building from August 5 to 11. More than 60 playable machines will represent each decade from the 1970s to the present day.
The hardware will include the Fairchild Channel F, Sega Mega Drive, Nintendo 64, Sinclair Spectrum, Commodore 64 and Atari 2600+. Visitors will also be able to play games including Sonic the Hedgehog, Super Mario Bros., Pac-Man and Tomb Raider on original consoles.
The event follows an exhibition held last year and has been organized by the Archive of Retro Computing at Kingston University, known as ARC@KU. The initiative was established to preserve and display early microcomputers and game consoles.
Kingston University Computer Science BSc (Hons) Course Leader Paul Neve links the collection to the period when computing moved beyond laboratories and businesses. “Before these machines, computers were only seen in laboratories and businesses. These machines arrived in homes and kids’ bedrooms, launching the careers of a generation of programmers and game developers,” he says.
The August exhibition will open from 10am to 6pm on weekdays and from 11am to 4pm on Saturday and Sunday. It will run from Wednesday, August 5 to Tuesday, August 11.
