Living Computers: Museum + Labs

2245 1st Avenue South, Seattle, WA 98134, USA

Address:	2245 1st Avenue South, Seattle, WA 98134, USA
Phone:	+1 206-342-2020
Site:	livingcomputers.org
Rating:	4.9
Working:	Closed Closed 10AM–5PM 10AM–5PM 10AM–5PM 10AM–5PM 10AM–5PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 9

John Bell

I dont like calling this a museum because it misses the point. I like to think of this as more of a petting zoo for old computers. It is just O.K. as a museum, but it is incredibly unique and wonderful as what it is. I took my two sons there, age 18 and 21. My oldest son sat down and wrote a quick BASIC program to calculate some Fibonacci numbers on one of the computers using a teletype input. Even if the program is relatively simple, the ability to interact and use the computers is amazing. Suggestion: Your smart phone or tablet will be a tremendous help. I had my LTE iPad. I did not check to see if they had WiFi. The iPad was a great help. For example, there was an early F-18 simulator running on an Amiga. Unfortunately, there was no documentation. A quick search found the instructions for the game. I also used my tablet to search for some BASIC commands. This greatly added to the experience. Some of the computers were not perfect. As an example, I was never able to open Excel on the Mac. This is not a complaint as much as pointing out that these are real computers that you can really use. With so many people having access, they are not always perfect. As a point of reference, I have been to the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, CA. It is a great museum. Neither one is better than the other, but both are fundamentally different from each other and both are wonderful experiences. Many thanks to Paul Allen and whomever else was involved in creating the Living Computer Museum.

Sonya Weasner

All museums should be as fun and interactive as this one! Living Computers: Museum + Labs (formerly the Living Computer Museum) is one of the best museums I have ever been to. The upstairs is filled with all sorts of retro machines, gaming, a cold room, and lots of historical goodies. On our first visit, we spent hours here, checking out all the systems, playing old games (Oregon Trail!), and geeking out. It is a blast. A computer or retro game enthusiast could easily spend an entire day here. For those of you that visited prior to 11/18/16, you need to return now that the renovations have been completed - the place has more than doubled in size and has even more fun things to do downstairs (virtual reality, robots, autonomous car simulation, etc!). The upstairs is still in tact (a few things have been rearranged, but it otherwise remains the same), so there is two times the fun here now. The store is also larger and has lots of fun items for purchase. I usually dont become members of places like museums, but we purchased a family membership on this visit, as we just like this place so darn much. Membership also gets us into the Flying Heritage Collection in Everett and MoPOP (the EMP lol), which is an added bonus! Come here, have fun, nerd out, the end.

Mary Kunert

I could go on and on about how incredibly rude and inappropriate a staff member was to my son but in the interest of space Ill make it as short as I can. While in the drivers seat of the self driving car taking the option offered to steer for the first few moments before the car took over my son was having difficulty trying to get the car to stay in the lane (mind you he is not a child. Hes actually a Doctor) This is apparently something that happens frequently and the car has to be reset but instead of explaining this and resetting it as he eventually did the staff member (I wish Id gotten his name) grabbed my son by the shoulder and severely chastised him for being too hard on the car. (he was just turning the steering wheel !!??) Like I said I could go on and on but lets just say up until then we had been enjoying ourselves but this ruined the whole experience. Ill never go back.

Jeff Lewis

A great place to relive your nostalgia or learn about how your grandparents survived without a smartphone. The second floor has a wonderful assortment of historically relevant computers. The main level features the newest VR tech and Robotic technologies. I was asked to review the Accessibility of the museum, and Im happy to say that I am pleased. This place is very handicap accessible, the only minor possible difficulty would be using the lifesize 3D printed self driving car simulation. Otherwise, the corridors are wide, even enough for two hospital wheelchairs. Most of the displays are all conveniently on desks with ample room for a normal size wheelchair to slide underneath. There are clean elevators and ramps. The restrooms are also spacious. The staff are helpful but also respect your space.

Eleanore Crevier

So far I have had 2 occasions to visit the museum - neither for the museum itself. I went to Seattle Met Magazines GeneroCity even and to watch The Imitation Game on First Thursday for free. Its an amazing space that all ages can enjoy, and I mean that in the sense that while its not excessively family oriented, a child could certainly find entertainment while adults will actually have a substantial experience on the two floor levels. Give yourself some time to enjoy the museum, sit down and play an old-old computer game and tinker with old programs and new. Please, treat yourself. Theres a small, free, parking lot, so if there is an event, perhaps come 15-30 minutes early.

Dave Stone

This was a fun place to visit. The first floor had interactive robot installations as well as a place to try out VR gear and a racecar simulator. Upstairs had a very detailed exhibit about the early years of Bill Gates, Paul Allen et. al. and the founding of Microsoft. I had kids with me, and did not get to view this extensively， but this space was well done as well. There were vintage desktops and early home computer kits etc. on display throughout, so anyone who experienced the late 70s and early 80s as a computer nerd will feel at home here. I am sure I missed even more cool stuff, but regardless I was impressed with what I saw and hope to go back someday.

Sven Schneider

Herrliches Museum mit diversen Rechnern aus verschiedenen Zeitperioden. Die meisten der Rechner sind funktionsfähig und dürfen auch durch die Besucher benutzt werden. Wer wie ich, ein jüngeres Baujahr als die ausgestellten Geräte hat, der darf sich bei den Personal kompetente und freundliche Hilfe holen. (Englischkenntnisse vorausgesetzt)

Aaron Stright

Feeling like a kid while playing games I grew up playing. Seeing the massive super computers we used to learn and grow into what we use everyday. Experiencing the history leading us to what we use in our daily lives. The museum is inspiration, simply awe inspiring. The talent and determination represented in this growing spot is fun and useful. We know where to go because of where we have been. The staff are super friendly and willing to help with education of what you are seeing. Learning things that I did not even know. This is a must do. Hope you have fun on your experience.

David Fetrow

Amazing amount of computer history, much of it running, some of it you can actually sit down and use, in a small space. It is compact but not packed. Last living PDP-7, PDP-10, Xerox Alto workstation and a Sigma mainframe, Altair (w/ teletype and paper tape no less), IBM 360, Interdata, HP, Psion, Windows 1, Mac 128K , hollow floor for the mainframes, and quite a bit more including a CDC 6400 they hope to get up and running (thatll be a challenge but I bet they succeed).