As AI grips world, the thrill of collecting vintage computers is growing

Software engineer Josh Dersch's garage is filled with more than 200 vintage computers and devices. The Seattle resident is part of a growing community of collectors who are passionate about preserving classic machines that kickstarted the digital revolution. While Silicon Valley has shifted its focus to artificial intelligence, these hardware enthusiasts are dedicated to saving the Atari, Commodore, and IBM machines that serve as ancestors to modern laptops, wearable devices, and smartphones.

Erik Klein, president of the Vintage Computer Federation, says the enthusiasm for computer history is on the rise. The organization's annual Vintage Computer Festival, held in Mountain View, California, drew over 3,500 attendees this year to mark the 50th anniversary of Apple's founding in 1976. The festival featured a panel discussion with co-founders Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne, reminiscing about Apple's early days as a startup led by the late Steve Jobs.

These collectors find joy in the beeps and chimes of their childhood machines and relish the opportunity to relive the simplicity of low-def games like "Pong" and "Space Invaders." As the fascination with vintage computers grows, more than a dozen such festivals have emerged in cities across North America, South America, and Europe.