The Transformation of Technology in the House of Representatives
A look at how House operations have changed on and off the floor over the last 100 years!
Members and Technology: 1980s Edition!
Members have always been eager to utilize the latest technology. Many Members filmed TV interviews and informational clips like the “Harrisburg Report,” and recorded radio spots using the latest technology.
These photos show the vast changes in just the last 30+ years!
Representatives Brian Clark (left) and Joseph Markosek (right) trying out the radio and sound equipment. For more information on any of the featured Members, please visit https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/BiosHistory/index.cfm?body=h
Behind the Camera by House ArchivesPennsylvania House of Representatives Archives
Staff working behind the camera.
Behind the Scenes by House ArchivesPennsylvania House of Representatives Archives
Representative John Alden, right, and staff surveying studio equipment.
TV Interview by House ArchivesPennsylvania House of Representatives Archives
Representatives Donald Dorr and Karl Boyes being interviewed by the media.
Then vs. Now
From microphones to books, and from voting machines to voting boards, take a look at the House Floor then versus how it looks now.
House Floor votes are now visible on a digital screen. These images here show the old way of name slides and how the lights would turn a certain color depending on the vote.
The left image shows how Members only had physical books to research bills. Now, on the right, shows how the Legislative Data Processing Center has thousands of bills uploaded online for easy access.
Older House voting buttons, left, had a simple yea or nay option. Now, as seen on the right, there are the same buttons, but also various technical outlets for charging computers, phones, etc.
Behind the Scenes
A look back at technology that staff utilized.
Stenograph by Jane Salay CollectionPennsylvania House of Representatives Archives
Stenograph Machine
These items were used to transcribe House Session and other events including the Pennsylvania Constitutional Convention in 1967 and 1968.
Ryan Building Slide by Office of PublicationsPennsylvania House of Representatives Archives
Photographic Slide of Matthew J. Ryan Building interior
These images were used by the Publications Department for House Wall Calendars, circa 1990
Capitol Complex Slide by Office of PublicationsPennsylvania House of Representatives Archives
Photographic Slide of PA Capitol Complex
circa 1990
Capitol Dome Slide by Office of PublicationsPennsylvania House of Representatives Archives
Photographic Slide of PA Capitol Dome
circa 1990
Rotunda Slide by Office of PublicationsPennsylvania House of Representatives Archives
Photographic Slide of PA Capitol Rotunda
circa 1990
Capitol Dome Slide with fireworks by Office of PublicationsPennsylvania House of Representatives Archives
Photographic Slide of PA Capitol Dome with Fireworks
circa 1990
Canon Camera (20th Century) by Chief Clerk's Office CollectionPennsylvania House of Representatives Archives
Canon AT-1, c. 1976
Polaroid Camera Polaroid Camera (20th Century) by Chief Clerk's Office CollectionPennsylvania House of Representatives Archives
Polaroid Camera, c. 1983
Goin' Digital!
The House Archives now provides access to historical records via an online database, making objects widely and quickly accessible.
DVCAM by House ArchivesPennsylvania House of Representatives Archives
Through digitization, the House Archives can preserve rare media like brittle documents and photos, and antiquated floppy disks and cassettes. Eventually access to born-digital objects, like PDFs and Word documents will be available.
Floppy Discs by House Health CommitteePennsylvania House of Representatives Archives
Part of the long-term plans includes digitizing and preserving items such as audio cassettes, VHS tapes, beta tapes, photographs, documents, and much more!
Microfilm by House ArchivesPennsylvania House of Representatives Archives
From these few examples, the House has dramatically changed the way it operates since the 1900s. The House Archives is no exception. Like many other Archives, our office is moving towards the digital world!
For more information about our office please visit: https://archives.house.state.pa.us/
For more information on former members please visit: https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/BiosHistory/index.cfm?body=h
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