Sportster 33.6 External Fax Modem, U.S. Robotics, Inc., 1995

01

Artifact Overview

Modems transmit computer data over telephone lines. They MODulate computer data into sound, and DEModulate it back into translated digital data. Modems held an important role in the home computer revolution. People used them to access information-sharing Bulletin Board Systems, later supplanted by the Internet. Despite abundant wireless Internet availability, "dial-up" modems are popular where DSL and cable services are unavailable.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Modem

Date Made

1995

Creator Notes

Company headquarters located in Skokie, IL; manufactured in China.

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

2006.12.20

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Aluminum
Iron alloy
Paper (Fiber product)
Plastic
Rubber (Material)
Copper alloy

Dimensions

Height: 1.375 in
Width: 6.5 in
Length: 4 in

Inscriptions

front; USROBOTICS (R) SPORTSTER (R) / 33.6 FAXMODEM underside (partial): MODEL 0459 OFF ON AA CD HD SD TR CS ARQ/FAX 33.600 (C) 1995 BY U.S. ROBOTICS, INC. . . . DIP SWITCH SETTINGS . . . THIS DEVICE COMPLIES WITH PART 15 OF THE FCC RULES . . . . . . PART NO: 1.015. 1286-A / INPUT : 120VAC 60 HZ 15W . . . MADE IN CHINA [front of power plug]