External Disk Drive, Westwind Computer Company, 1982-1985

01

Artifact Overview

This external floppy disk drive was intended for use with the Osborne OCC1 computer, the first mass-produced portable computer. This suitcase-sized "luggable" system could be customized with additional peripheral equipment, including additional disk drives and printers. The combination of Osborne with Westwind technology indicates a time before computer systems were proprietary.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Disk drive

Date Made

1982-1985

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

2006.12.15

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Iron alloy
Plastic
Rubber (Material)
Copper alloy

Dimensions

Height: 3.75 in
Width: 14.75 in
Length: 13.25 in

Inscriptions

front: WESTWIND COMPUTER | TRANTOR HARD DISK back: MODEL NAME 552 | S/NO. W04431 floppy disk label: WESTWIND LOADER FOR OSBORNE 1 COMPUTER C 1985 9-25-86 [handwritten date in ink on two floppy disk labels]