Preserving the Instruments
That Changed the World
A 501(c)(3) charitable museum dedicated to the early history of Tektronix and its pivotal role in creating Oregon's Silicon Forest.

On June 26, 2009, ex-Tektronix employees Stan Griffiths and Ed Sinclair incorporated vintageTEK as a 501(c)(3) charitable, educational, and scientific museum. Their mission: to commemorate the early history of Tektronix, Inc. and its extraordinary role in spawning approximately 300 high-technology companies in the Silicon Forest — the four-county, two-state metropolitan area of Portland, Oregon.

Today the museum holds thousands of pieces of historic equipment dating back to 1946, along with an estimated 3.9 million pages of documentation including user manuals, service materials, and microfiche archives. Our volunteer engineers continue to restore classic instruments for future display, and we even loan equipment for short-term educational use.

In January 2017, thanks to the generosity of Tektronix, the museum relocated to Building 13 on the Beaverton campus — the former site of the Ceramics operation — giving us the space to properly showcase this remarkable technological heritage.

1946
Earliest Artifacts
300+
Companies Spawned
3.9M
Pages of Archives
FREE
Admission Always
$ cat museum_history.log
// vintageTEK timeline
 
[1946] Tektronix founded by Howard Vollum & Jack Murdock
[1947] Type 511 oscilloscope — the one that started it all
[1960s] Tek scopes help NASA put a man on the moon
[2009] vintageTEK incorporated as 501(c)(3)
[2010] Website goes live — April 30
[2011] Museum opens to the public — September 16
[2017] Relocated to Building 13 on Tek campus
[NOW ] Still preserving, restoring, inspiring
 
$
Hands-On History
Many of our exhibits are available online for those who cannot visit in person. Experience the instruments that defined an era of innovation.
Display Technology
Cathode-Ray Tube Exhibit
The CRT display technology that made oscilloscopes possible — trace the evolution from early tubes to advanced storage displays.
Explore →
Modern Era
3, 4 & 5 Series Oscilloscopes
See the current generation of Tektronix instruments alongside their vintage predecessors — a testament to continuous innovation.
Explore →
519
Record Breaker
519 — 1 GHz Oscilloscope
The groundbreaking 519 achieved 1 GHz bandwidth, pushing the limits of measurement science in its era.
Explore →
SONY/TEK 335 35 MHz
International
Sony/Tektronix Products
A display of portable instruments from the Sony/Tektronix partnership, including the compact 335 dual-trace oscilloscope.
Explore →
Explore the Archive
From oscilloscopes and spectrum analyzers to engineering notebooks and technical manuals — browse our comprehensive collection catalog.
Oscilloscopes
Primary Collection
200 Series
Portable Scopes
CRT Displays
Tube Technology
Documentation
3.9M+ Pages
View Full Collection Catalog →
Tektronix on the Big Screen
From Steve Jobs' garage to Hollywood sets — Tektronix instruments have been everywhere, including NASA mission control during the Apollo program.
Steve Jobs' Garage • Apple Origins
NASA Apollo Program • Moon Landing
MIT Instrumentation Labs • Guidance Systems
Breaking Bad • TV Series
The Martian • Film
Stranger Things • TV Series
Halt and Catch Fire • TV Series
Interstellar • Film
Steve Jobs' Garage • Apple Origins
NASA Apollo Program • Moon Landing
MIT Instrumentation Labs • Guidance Systems
Breaking Bad • TV Series
The Martian • Film
Stranger Things • TV Series
Halt and Catch Fire • TV Series
Interstellar • Film
Stories from the Workshop
Behind-the-scenes restoration updates, historical deep dives, and museum news.
Featured Story
The Oscilloscope in Steve Jobs' Garage
The iconic photo of the young Steve Jobs features a Tektronix oscilloscope — a testament to how Tek instruments were the backbone of Silicon Valley's earliest days.
Read more →
Museum Milestone
Grand Opening: A Magnificent Day
Relive the excitement of vintageTEK's public grand opening on September 16, 2011, when the doors opened to share Tektronix's remarkable history with the world.
Read more →
History
Tektronix & the Moon Landing
In the 1960s, MIT's Instrumentation Labs used Tektronix oscilloscopes to design and build the Apollo guidance system. Our instruments helped put a man on the moon.
Read more →
View All Posts →
Watch the Restoration
Our volunteer engineers document the meticulous process of restoring classic Tektronix instruments to working condition.
Help Keep History Alive
vintageTEK operates entirely through the support of volunteers, contributions, and modest eBay sales. Every bit of help matters.
Volunteer
Join our team of ex-Tektronix engineers, technicians, and equipment enthusiasts. Help with restoration, tours, packing and shipping, or administrative support.
Learn More
Donate
Your tax-deductible contribution helps us preserve and restore instruments, maintain the museum space, and continue our educational mission.
Donate Now
Spread the Word
Follow us on social media, share our story, and help us inspire the next generation of technologists and engineers.
Follow Us

Shop vintageTEK on eBay

Browse our selection of vintage Tektronix equipment, parts, manuals, and collectibles. Every purchase directly supports museum operations and restoration projects.

Visit eBay Store →
Come See History in Person
Free admission, hands-on tours, and the chance to see fully operational vintage instruments. We'd love to show you around.
Address
13489 SW Karl Braun Dr
Beaverton, OR 97077
Museum Hours
Saturdays: 10:00 AM — 4:00 PM
Other days: By reservation
Admission
Always Free
Group Tours
Available by request
Perfect for school groups & organizations
Powered by Passionate Volunteers
Our volunteers include ex-Tektronix design engineers, technicians, marketing personnel, and vintage equipment aficionados who were once Tek customers. Together, they restore, document, and share this remarkable history.
Meet Our Volunteers Join the Team →