Reviving Vintage Computers: A Passionate Community Gathers

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — Software engineer Josh Dersch has a deep love for vintage computers. He spends hours in his garage, experimenting with restoring old machines, claiming he has over 200 collectibles at his Seattle residence.

“I think it’s fascinating to explore the origins of technology,” Dersch mentioned. “Debugging and repairs are like puzzles; they provide insight into how everything works together.”

Dersch is part of a larger group of collectors dedicated to maintaining classic computers that played pivotal roles in the digital revolution. While Silicon Valley is focused on advancing artificial intelligence, these enthusiasts cherish machines like the Atari, Commodore, and IBM—forebears of modern laptops and smartphones.

For many collectors, what might seem like clutter is, in fact, a valuable piece of computer history. They relish the familiar sounds of their childhood and take pleasure in low-res games like “Pong” and “Space Invaders.”

“There’s definitely growing interest in the history of computers and related topics,” remarked Eric Klein, president of the Vintage Computer Federation, which organizes the annual festival at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View.

The Vintage Celebration Draws Enthusiasts

This year saw over 3,500 attendees at a two-day vintage computer festival in early August, commemorating Apple’s 50th anniversary, which dates back to its founding in 1976 near Cupertino. The festival also included a panel with co-founders Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne, who shared stories from the company’s chaotic beginnings alongside the late Steve Jobs.

Similar gatherings have sprung up in various cities across North America, South America, and Europe over the years.

Klein noted that the heightened interest aligns with a rising demand for vintage computers online. Rare finds, such as the original Apple-1, can fetch astonishing prices, sometimes reaching hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Collectors showcased systems they meticulously restored, offering festival-goers a chance to interact with computers from a time before the internet and social media redefined society.

Restoring the “Grandfather of Modern Computers”

Dersch traveled from Seattle to present his prized possession, the Xerox Alto, often hailed as the “father of the modern computer.” He dedicated years to restoring this iconic machine developed at Xerox’s Palo Alto Research Center in the 1970s.

The Alto was one of the first computers to implement a mouse and graphical user interface, setting the standard for future developments in technology. It notably influenced figures like Jobs and Gates in their early designs.

Dersch’s display featured a fully operational Xerox Alto workstation with a distinct vertical monitor, a bulbous keyboard and mouse, and a large, pizza-sized disk that now holds only modest amounts of data.

“It’s rewarding to share my work and to see what others have crafted,” he noted. “We even have a section for buying more vintage items—it’s a lot of fun.”

Klein, who once faced a flood of vintage computers in his own home, found it overwhelming. His collection almost became a burden, so he downsized, keeping only a few cherished pieces.

Global Events for Collectors

Now, in his role as president of the Vintage Computer Federation, Klein channels his passion into organizing festivals, repair workshops, and meet-ups.

“It’s really about celebrating this history and fostering the enjoyment of collecting vintage tech,” Klein stated.

Selam Ismail is thrilled to witness the collector community’s growth since he started his first festival in 1997, attracting merely 150 attendees just east of San Francisco. After leading that event for a decade, he co-founded the Vintage Computer Federation, which continues to host festivals in the U.S. and Canada, and he has aided other initiatives in places like Argentina, Germany, and Switzerland.

“The community is expanding. More people are diving into collecting vintage computers,” Ismail shared, noting that they will celebrate their 30th anniversary next year. “We’re hopeful that this trend will keep growing.”