Computing at York: the Beginning

The new “Computing at York: the Beginning” exhibition covers the first 15 years of computing activities at York. It attempts to capture the spirit, curiosity, energy, and excitement that defined the early days of academic computing. It highlights the use of computer resources by York’s artists, educators, librarians, researchers, and students, as they explored new frontiers in computer-supported research, education, and art.

The exhibition showcases a selection of objects from the York University Computer Museum and the Clara Thomas Archives and Special Collections. Various funds and archives within these organizations preserve captivating photographs that document computer use at the university. A curated selection of these images, along with vintage computer hardware once installed at York, offer insight into the early days of computing at the university, and a glimpse into York’s evolving computing landscape.

The exhibition opens on March 12, 2026, with a special panel on the history of academic computing in Canada to be held at 4 PM in Room Maker & Media Creation Lab, 2nd floor, Scott Library.

More on the exhibit.