AT&T Archives: Infoquest Center

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From 1986 to 1994, 8 levels of AT&T's modern, Philip-Johnson-designed headquarters on Madison Avenue were given over to a then cutting-edge, interactive museum called the AT&T InfoQuest Center. This film promotes the Center's activities in all of their 1980s-high-tech glory.

The exhibits ranged from the basic (a videodisc about how the clock on a microchip works) to the kitschily intriguing (make your own music video about databases! Watch actor Harry Anderson, as a NYC cabby, give an interactive tour of the city), all in the service of explaining more about this new phenomenon called the information age.

Over time, the Center also hosted changing exhibits of a more historical or technological nature — like the 100 years of payphones exhibit, or one about the new world of digital satellite imagery. Many programs were geared towards kids, like a science club "run" by "Gor-Don", the Center's human-size lucite and metal robot, or science rap contests presented by KRS-1 (yes, we are looking for footage).

When AT&T decided to move from their flagship building in 1994, theie spaces were take over by Sony, including the museum contract. Sony opened their "Sony Wonder" exhibits soon after, and they continue to operate in the same space today.

Footage courtesy of AT&T Archives and History Center, Warren, NJ

Видео AT&T Archives: Infoquest Center канала AT&T Tech Channel