Dorm of the Future photograph, 1987
Title
Dorm of the Future photograph, 1987
Description
In February 1986, Bradley’s University Office of Public Information announced a pilot program in partnership with AT&T Information Systems: The “Dorm of the Future” was coming to BU.
The following fall, 150 dorm rooms (most in Geisert Hall) received an AT&T model 6300 personal computer along with two floppy disk drives, a printer, a monitor, and software. Students applied for the opportunity to participate. Bradley’s VP of Information Technologies and Resources wanted to know whether personal computers would be useful and how students might use them. It turns out that personal computers were very popular!
Over the next few years, the program expanded to other residence halls and more students enjoyed access to PCs and something called Windows software. The PCs were connected to a campus-wide data communications network and the arrival of Pentium processors in the early 1990s made uploading and downloading files across campus systems a breeze.
It’s hard to imagine the possibilities and uncertainties that accompanied this marvelous new world facing Bradley students, staff, and faculty in the 1980s and 1990s, but we can try.
The following fall, 150 dorm rooms (most in Geisert Hall) received an AT&T model 6300 personal computer along with two floppy disk drives, a printer, a monitor, and software. Students applied for the opportunity to participate. Bradley’s VP of Information Technologies and Resources wanted to know whether personal computers would be useful and how students might use them. It turns out that personal computers were very popular!
Over the next few years, the program expanded to other residence halls and more students enjoyed access to PCs and something called Windows software. The PCs were connected to a campus-wide data communications network and the arrival of Pentium processors in the early 1990s made uploading and downloading files across campus systems a breeze.
It’s hard to imagine the possibilities and uncertainties that accompanied this marvelous new world facing Bradley students, staff, and faculty in the 1980s and 1990s, but we can try.
Date
1987
Subject
Dormitories; AT&T PC 6300; Technology
Rights
For official publication permission or to request high resolution images, contact Special Collections at specialcollections@bradley.edu or (309)677-2822.
Citation
“Dorm of the Future photograph, 1987,” Virginius H. Chase Special Collections Center, accessed May 8, 2024, https://bradleyspecialcollections.omeka.net/items/show/42.