This project was a cooperative effort of the American Federation of Information Processing Societies (AFIPS) and the Smithsonian Institution. The project began in 1967 with the main object to collect, document, house, and make available for research use source material documenting the development of the computer. The project collected taped oral history interviews with individuals who figured prominently in development or advancing the computer field. The project also acquired written documentation: working papers, reports, drawings, and photographs.