Introduction [Museums and the History of Computing: Objects, Narratives and Practice]

The introduction illustrates the key topic and argument of the book, framing it at a theoretical level through the notion of the ‘lives’ of computing objects in museum spaces. It reflects on what happens when the traditional narratives and historiography around technology – such as ‘hero’ inventors, or deterministic narratives of progress and modernity – meet the representation of history in the museum through alternative forms of interpretation and storytelling that are designed to encourage active meaning-making on the part of the visitor. Taking into account perspectives from media studies, narratology, history, and museology, the opening chapter challenges us to think critically about the ‘digital,’ not merely as a delivery tool, but as a cultural object in the museum. Additionally, this introductory chapter outlines the structure of the book and the topic of each section and chapter.