Computermuseum der Universität Hamburg

About the museum

The Computer-Museum der Universität Hamburg is a collection of the Department of Computer Science. Emeritus computer science professor Horst Oberquelle built it up after his retirement, initially in a former storage room in the basement of the Informatikum on the Stellingen campus. It now comprises more than 1,000 objects; a selection can be viewed online in the university's collection portal FUNDus!.

The tour spans from early mechanical calculating machines, desk and pocket calculators, through hardware by Konrad Zuse and large mainframes, to workplace systems, home computers and smartphones. It is supplemented by communication technology from the Morse telegraph to the telephone, writing and printing technology from the typewriter to the laser printer, and data storage. Some devices can be demonstrated live. Special emphases are Apple's design and the development of input devices such as the mouse, joystick and trackball.

The museum is financed almost entirely by donations and is supported by the association HITeC e.V. At the end of 2025, it closed temporarily because it had to move. In April 2026, it moved into new rooms in the Geomatikum, where the collection is currently being rebuilt; guided tours are available by arrangement.

Highlights

• Early calculating machines, desk and pocket calculators
• Hardware by Konrad Zuse and large mainframes
• Workplace systems, home computers and smartphones
• Apple design and input devices such as the mouse, joystick and trackball
• Communication, writing and storage technology
• Live demonstrations of individual devices

Permanent exhibition

• Computer-Museum – Sammlung zur Geschichte der Rechentechnik – Computers, components and peripherals, from mechanical calculating machines through mainframes and home computers to smartphones, with a focus on Apple design and human-computer interaction.

Operated by

Universität Hamburg Fachbereich Informatik

Director

Prof. i. R. Dr. Horst Oberquelle

Admission & discounts

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Accessibility

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Kids & families

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Getting there & parking

The Geomatikum is located at the intersection of Bundesstraße and Beim Schlump; navigation address: Bundesstraße 55, Hamburg.

Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

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