在人工智能技术席卷全球的背景下，收集和修复老旧计算机的爱好正在全球各地升温。[1]软件工程师Josh Dersch等收藏家积累了大量古董电脑与设备，其中Dersch本人拥有超过200台古董电脑和设备。[1]这些稀有的老机器有着显著的市场价值，例如Apple-1等标志性古董电脑能在拍卖会上达到数十万美元的价格。[1]
为了庆祝和保护计算机历史，收藏家社群通过Vintage Computer Festival等活动来展示这些技术遗产。[1]2024年8月在加州Mountain View举办的Vintage Computer Festival吸引了3500多名参展者，其中包括庆祝Apple成立50周年的展览。[1]这类活动已在北美、南美和欧洲的十多个城市举办。[1]Vintage Computer Federation主席Erik Klein曾拥有150多台电脑系统。该组织的创始人Sellam Ismail于1997年组织了第一场festival，当时约有150名爱好者参加。[1]通过这些活动，收藏家们致力于保护Atari、Commodore和IBM等历史计算机，同时向公众展示1970年代开发的Xerox Alto等被称为"现代计算机之祖"的重要机器。[1]
The passion for restoring and collecting legacy computers is experiencing a global surge even as artificial intelligence reshapes the technology industry.[1] Software engineer Josh Dersch represents a growing community of enthusiasts who preserve computing history, maintaining a personal collection exceeding 200 vintage computers and devices.[1] Through events like the Vintage Computer Festival, collectors celebrate machines from the era of Atari, Commodore, and IBM, underscoring the enduring cultural significance of these pioneering systems.[1]
The movement has gained considerable momentum, drawing thousands of participants to dedicated gatherings. The August 2024 Vintage Computer Festival attracted more than 3,500 attendees, partly coinciding with celebrations of Apple's 50th anniversary.[1] The festival, which Sellam Ismail first organized in 1997 with approximately 150 participants, has since expanded internationally, with similar events now held across multiple cities in North America, South America, and Europe, including Argentina, Germany, and Switzerland.[1] Erik Klein, president of the Vintage Computer Federation, exemplifies the collectors' commitment, having amassed over 150 computer systems throughout his involvement with the hobby.[1]
The market for rare machines reflects the strong collector interest in computing artifacts. Exceptional pieces like the Apple-1 command substantial prices at auction, fetching hundreds of thousands of dollars.[1] Meanwhile, machines such as the Xerox Alto, developed in the 1970s and widely recognized as the ancestor of the modern computer, remain central to the historical narrative that these enthusiasts work to preserve.[1]