Interest in the history of computing is rising, manifesting in increased demand for vintage machines in online marketplaces, according to Erik Klein, president of the Apnews. This growing enthusiasm is particularly evident for rare, iconic systems such as the Apple-1, the first product from Apple, which can fetch hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Growing Demand for Digital Antiquities
Collectors are drawn to the challenge of debugging and repairing decades-old hardware to restore it to original working condition. Software engineer Josh Dersch, who estimates he owns more than 200 vintage devices in his Seattle home, noted that it is fascinating to see the origins of technology and that the process allows one to understand the entire system from top to bottom
.
Celebrating 50 Years of Apple
In early August 2026, more than 3,500 people attended the two-day Vintage Computer Festival at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California. The event celebrated the 50th anniversary of Apple, which was founded in 1976 in nearby Cupertino. The festival featured a panel where Apple co-founders Ronald Wayne and Steve Wozniak reminisced about the company’s early years as a scrappy startup
led by the late Steve Jobs.
Attendees were able to interact with computers built before the transformation of the world by AI, social media, and the internet. Exhibits included 1980s-era Apple Macintosh computers and a fully functioning Xerox Alto workstation. The Alto, which features a chunky keyboard, mouse, boxy vertical monitor, and pizza-sized spinning disks, famously inspired Bill Gates and Steve Jobs to integrate similar technologies into their own early products.
The Evolution of the Collector Community
The community of hobbyists has matured significantly since Sellam Ismail organized the first festival in 1997. That inaugural event, held at a venue east of San Francisco, drew approximately 150 hobbyists. Ismail, who once stored a massive collection in a warehouse, ran these events for a decade and later co-founded the Vintage Computer Federation.
The Federation now operates festivals in Canada and the U.S., and Ismail has assisted other groups in launching similar events in Switzerland, Germany, and Argentina. More than a dozen such gatherings have appeared across Europe, South America, and North America. Ismail expects the movement to continue growing as it approaches its 30th anniversary next year.
From Personal Collections to Public Evangelism
For some, the hobby can become overwhelming. Erik Klein, a software engineering manager in Silicon Valley, previously owned as many as 150 computer systems, including their original packaging, documents, and accessories. Klein described the collection as an albatross
that crowded his garage and closets, leading him to sell or give away most of his machines to avoid burdening his family.
Klein now focuses his efforts on evangelizing the history of the hobby through the organization of swap meets, repair workshops, and festivals. He stated that the goal is to encourage others to enjoy and maintain vintage technology.
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