The computer industry in Australia
Research and collection development relating to the computer industry in Australia, from the 1940s-1970. Analysis of local computer innovations and new technologies, and their application in universities and industry.
Project contact: David Demant
History of CSIRAC computer
Research, collection development and documentation of the history of CSIRAC as a case study in Australian innovation. CSIRAC (1949-1964) was the first automatic electronic stored-program computer in Australia and one of the first in the world. It is the only first-generation computer still in existence.
Project contact: David Demant
Communication Collections
Research into the origins and significance of the museum's collections relating to printing, phonography, pre-cinema technology, radio, telephony and telegraphy. These collections include early radio, telegraph and telephone equipment, the internationally significant Francis Collection of pre-cinema technology and items from the Victorian Government Printing Office and local printing businesses.
Project contact: David Demant
Technical innovation in Australian industry
Case studies on technological innovation in Australian industry, 1880-1940, including the Thomson steam car, Victorian steam traction engines and Victorian mining machinery.
Project contact: Matthew Churchward
H V McKay & Sunshine Harvester
Research and collection development relating to the history of HV McKay and the Sunshine Harvester as a case study in Australian innovation, workplace and community history. The project includes ongoing collection documentation, oral histories and the development of the next stage of a museum website.
Project contact: Rebecca Carland
Development of Australian Maritime & Coastal Radio
Research into Australia’s role as an innovator in coastal and marine radio between 1920 and 1941. Examining the establishment of coastal radio stations around Australia, their impact on of improving communication, navigation and safety for coastal and international merchant shipping in Australian waters and the limitations of the system in terms of its subsequent failure to protect allied shipping during the Second World War.
Project contact: David Crotty