The Passionate World of Vintage Computer Collectors

Software engineer Josh Dersch has a deep appreciation for old computers. In his garage, he works tirelessly to revive decades-old machines. His Seattle home boasts more than 200 vintage computers and devices.

“It’s always been fascinating to me to see the origins of things,” Dersch explained. “It’s a fun challenge to debug and repair. You can understand the entire system from top to bottom.”

Dersch is part of a growing community of vintage computer collectors. They are focused on preserving the classic machines crucial to the digital revolution. While Silicon Valley now focuses on advancing artificial intelligence, these enthusiasts aim to save devices like the Atari, Commodore, and IBM. These are the ancestors of today’s laptops, wearable devices, and smartphones.

Where some see junk, people like Dersch see valuable pieces of computer history. They enjoy the nostalgia of hearing the beeps and chimes of their childhood and reliving games such as “Pong” or “Space Invaders.”

“The enthusiasm for the history of computers and all the stuff around it is growing,” said Erik Klein, president of the Vintage Computer Federation. This organization hosts an annual festival at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California.

Vintage Computer Festivals Unite Collectors

This year, over 3,500 people attended the two-day Vintage Computer Festival in early August. It marked the 50th anniversary of Apple, founded in 1976 in nearby Cupertino, California. A panel featured co-founders Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne reminiscing about the company’s early days led by Steve Jobs.

More than a dozen similar gatherings have emerged in cities across North America, South America, and Europe. According to Klein, growing interest is evident in the increased demand for vintage computers in online markets. Iconic machines like the Apple-1 can sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Collectors showcased systems restored to their original condition. This allowed attendees to interact with devices from before the internet, social media, and AI transformed society.

Restoring Historical Computers

Dersch traveled from Seattle to present his prized collection piece: the Xerox Alto. This machine, developed in the 1970s at Xerox Palo Alto Research Center, is dubbed “the grandfather of the modern computer.”

The Alto was among the first computers to go beyond text and use a mouse and graphical user interface. Its design, featuring windows, icons, and cursors, set an industry standard and inspired Jobs and Bill Gates in their early products.

Dersch’s display featured a working Xerox Alto with its distinctive vertical monitor, keyboard, mouse, and large spinning disks. These disks stored minimal data compared to current standards.

“It’s fun to share what I’ve done with people,” Dersch said. “And the consignment area lets me buy more items to take home, which is always enjoyable.”

Enthusiasm By Enthusiasts Like Klein

Klein, a software engineering manager in Silicon Valley, was once a fervent collector himself. His hobby overwhelmed his home and family life, with as many as 150 computer systems in his space.

To alleviate the burden on his family, he began selling and giving away much of his collection. Now, he keeps only a few favorites at home.

Today, Klein channels his passion into organizing festivals, repair workshops, and swap meets as the president of the Vintage Computer Federation.

“It’s about evangelizing the history and this hobby of maintaining, collecting, and enjoying vintage technology,” Klein said.

Sellam Ismail shares the excitement of seeing the collector community flourish. He organized the first festival in 1997, attracting about 150 hobbyists near San Francisco. He later co-founded the Vintage Computer Federation, leading efforts in the US and Canada. He’s supported similar events in Argentina, Germany, and Switzerland.

“The community grew up. More people began collecting old computers,” Ismail said. “Next year marks the 30th anniversary, and I expect this to continue and expand.”