The papers consist of bulletins, manuals, development plans, and reports created by the Michigan State University Computer Lab from 1964-1971. There are also time-sharing proposals for the Michigan State Computer Lab from various companies. Additional documents include reference manuals and booklets by Control Data Corporation and reports from Ballistic Research Laboratories. There is also a paper written by Thompson that describes his introduction into electronic digital computers. The Kenneth L. Thompson papers also include faculty records such as administrative files, personal faculty documents, and travel vouchers. The collection also consists of a CD-ROM with photographs of early computing and computers and audio of Thompson describing the photographs. The topics include early computing at the state government of Michigan and MSU. He describes the Control Data 3600 computer and Control Data 6500 computers at MSU. There are images of the installation of the computer through the window and the raised flooring, and chillers for cooling. There are also images of punch cards as well as a read-writing arm.