Vintage computers - The Hunt for Apple-1 computers - 2/29/16

(Updated 2/29/16) I am ask many times how did you build your computer collection.  A real help for

Apple 1 Computer

Bugbooks

the microcomputer memorabilia collection was - I was teaching  digital electronics and computer automation & instrumentation before the first Intel microprocessor was introduced in 1971.  My period of teaching at Virginia Tech was 1967 to 1998.  A good part of the answer is "I was at the right place at the right time".  The majority of my collection was acquired  from 1975 to 1995. During that time the computers were generally of little or no value and the owners just dumped them in the trash. Many were happy to find a crazy guy like me that actually wanted to keep an old computer.

I advertised in various publications for most of the 45 years . The one that brought in the most calls was a small classified ad in "Computer Shopper". The ad was very simple and looked like this - Wanted pre1980 microcomputers for historical collection". Over the years I recieved 1000's of calls or offers for microcomputers. I continue to run an ad in the Ham Radio magazine "QST"

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Here are a few of the responses with offers for Apple-1 computers.

Craig Solomonson offered me this Apple-1 computer July 1996 for his price of less then $40,000.

WOW I sure missed a computer that made the big time - Auction at Breker Nov 28, 2010 - Yes, Italian collector Marco Boglione paid $212,000 for a 34-year-old Apple-1

Click on photos to enlarge

Craig Solomonson  Apple 1

The information below is from the Apple-1 Registry 

NTI logo. This computer was first Frank Anderson. 

Next it was  purchased from Frank Anderson, an electronic dealer in Great Falls, Montana by Craig Solomonson for MECC.  Craig reports that this computer was sold by Jobs and shipped from his parents address. Woz seemed a bit confused when Craig showed him the invoice and asked about it. He said "Not sold by us, although Job's may have sold it without telling me." 

• Sold by Craig to Jesse Sackman in California
• $50,000 unit sold in Ebay auction 320447681957, late in 2009
• This is the unit auctioned by Christies in London for 133,250 pounds in November of 2010 to Italian businessman and private collector Marco Boglione

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During the 80/90's I was offered about 10 Apple-1 computers and managed to purchase 4 of them. One offer was for me trade a new automobile van for his computer. This was a reasonable offer but I declined the purchase at the time as too complex. I heard later that some other collector made this trade.


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Schoolsky Apple 1

Schoolsky Apple-1 Computer

I did purchase this Apple-1 Microcomputer from Adam Schoolsky & you can see in the letter many other nice items as well. Here is a video about this computer in our "Bugbook Historical Microcomputer Museum" 'CLICK'

Schoolsky's Apple-1  came in a box like these shown in Job's bedroom. The box has Woz written on the top. I will never know but Schoolsky's computer may be in this photo.

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This computer has been made fully operational by Win Heagy in late 2015 and has been passed on to the Lonnie Mimms collection at the Computer Museum of America.

Click on photos to enlarge

Forest Duston phone log

Forest Duston Apple-1 computer 

I  keep a  phone log of all the calls about computers that are available. The photo to the left is copy of call from Forest and he told me he had 2 Apple 1 computers. I was skeptical about that however over the next year I found it was true and purchased both of them. It was fortunate for me and he got his price. 

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Click image to enlarge

Snyder Apple-1 computer 

This Apple-1 computer offered to me by the law firm for $15,000 was a great offer. Unfortunately at that time I was not able to make  a deal.  I don't know who  ended up with Apple-1. The computer had an interesting history and original letter from Steve Jobs with it.  Even lawyers seemed find my little classified advertising.  

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Apple 1 purchase from John Burch

Here is a video of  Apple-1 I purchased  from John Burch in the mid 90's. It was a simple deal - he told me most of the collectors wanted him to just give the computer to them. He gave me a price and we had a deal.





Video of this computer has had nearly 250,000 views during the past 5 years "CLICK here to see video"


Click on photos to enlarge

David Larsen working on Apple 1

This is one of the finest examples of an Apple-1 computer and in January 2016 was passed on to the Lonnie Mimms collection at the Computer Museum of America in Roswell, Georgia.

Here I am working on the "John Burch"  Apple-1 computer.

Apple 1 computer documentaion

I received lots of great original documentation with this computer.

Here is a little tidbit about Steve Jobs house and where and who designed the Apple-1 & 2 .
(Steve Wozniak designed them independent on his own)

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My 45 years of collecting effort resulting of an inventory of more then 10,000 microcomputer memorabilia items in moving to Lonnie Mimms Computer Museum of America. All the items have been packed. Packing took 10 days with a crew of 3 to 6 and as I write this update the last 500 or more packed boxes will leave the Bugbook Computer Museum warehouse today.  2/29/16

David Larsen

The hunt for computers during the past 45 years has been fun. Now my family and friends ask - What are you going to do with them. We have inventored more then 10,000 items in our collection and still have more to add to the data base - lots of computers and memorabilia. I have set up a small museum and hope to have an endowed museum here in Floyd Va - place  the computers with the other museums or with serious collectors before I move to Heaven. I am 75 now and only have 25 more years to go - Any ideas for my collection - give me a call.

I am 77+ as I update this blog and happy to say I have found a wonderful home for the 45 years of collecting. It is a delight to be working with Lonnie Mimms and his Computer Museum of America in Roswell, Georgia. Dave

 ^{"by David Larsen"  KK4WW Computer Collector Historian}     Send Message    Like us on Facebook  My Blog about hometown Floyd VA

Computer Historian David Greelish is going to keep us laughing !!!!

David Greelish - Long time computer collector and historian posted on his "The Classic Computing Blog" August 7, 2013 -------- 




I Want to Be a Ballerina . . . Wait . . . I Mean Comedian!

This may be his last computer blog post -- well maybe not.  David had an epiphany experience and is going to  put his effort in a new direction - Comedy.  This is great -- I think you should follow your dream and I bet David will do just great in comedy.

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 Here are a few quotes from his blog.

"This is how I feel, and this is what I've been thinking about. However, I'm not entirely disappointed, and I'm certainly not bitter. I’m excited and enthusiastic! I'm very proud of all of the great stuff I've done in the field, just that it's time for me to leave the "band" and break out on my own! Wait, I think I got away from that epiphany point I had wanted to make earlier (this writing stuff is hard). Here it is then. I have had one other hobby longer than anything else as an adult, and it goes back even further to when I was a child - comedy! Yes, it's a hobby. I think of laughing and humor as one of my hobbies, and it frankly has saved my life and gotten me through hard times. The ability to release stress and escape from the hardships of life through laughter is essential to me, and I feel it is essential to most people, whether they recognize it or not."
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"So, back to that epiphany thing again; why am I not pursuing comedy myself? I love it and I joke all the time, plus I think I know good comedy. Why, because I have been too busy layering on one computer history project after another in hopes of the breakthrough, that's why. I believe that if you're creative, you will never be fulfilled in life unless you create. Again, I'm very happy with what I've created so far, but it's not enough, and I want to now create comedy! I know I will find even more fulfillment there - I know it in my heart"

                               David tells us about his interest and change to comedy.
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Read his whole blog and I think you will agree this is a move that should be a great change for David and as he says " Again though, you may see the occasional blog post or tweet from me, and I would still welcome any chance to be someone's podcast guest to discuss computer history."


                                                                                                David Greelish - About me

David you can't go wrong following you dream to do comedy. I am sure all the computer folks like myself not only wish great success for you - we want to have fun with you so share your comedy with us along the way to fame.
  ^{"By David Larsen" KK4WW Computer Collector Historian}  
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"The First Apple" A fresh look at Apple 1 computer pioneers / collectors by Author, Bob Luther - His Book

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NEWS FLASH - Bob Luther is selling his "First Apple 1 Computer"  December 11,2014 at Christie's Auction.  
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"the first Apple" - Bob Luther's - fresh off the press - book is full of interesting and often intriguing interviews of some of the folks associated with the start up of the Apple Computer Company. Bob has reason to believe the Apple 1 computer he purchased at a Sheriff's Sale in 2004 is the first one sold by the Apple Company to a consumer.  He interviewed many techies, historians and collectors of Apple memorabilia to document his Apple 1 computer. This is a great story of his fortunate find and being the winning bidder.  I have found every interview he did in researching the material for his book held my interest - I read most of the book in one setting. I was fascinated to learn all the tidbits of information and sometime intrigue about the various eclectic folks associated  the Apple 1 computer as told in "the first Apple" book.  Send Message CLICK   Like us Click

           Bob Luther tells you in his own voice what inspired him to write his book "the first Apple"

Bob started collecting as a young teenager and before he had a drivers license he purchased 1962 Corvette. When he was able to drive he had 1963 Red Mercedes sedan. He read classified advertising over the years an became a skilled "Picker" of interesting and valuable / collectable stuff.  In 2004 Bob read a small classified advertisement in the Washington Post about a sheriff's sale of items seized from a wealthy dot com entrepreneur who had fled the US. The sheriff was selling a large quantity of very rare and collectable items. The sale was on a very cold Saturday and Bob braved the cold and purchased several rare items including the Apple 1 microcomputer - the Apple 1 eventually resulted  in his writing the  book "the first Apple".  I have read the book and it is a very interesting story about his computer and the interviews he did with collectors and pioneers associated with the Apple company and his Apple 1. 

Here is where you can get more information: I highly reccommend Bob's book as a great read for anyone interested in how the Apple 1 was a major player in the computer revolution.
www.thefirstapple.com
www.facebook/thefirstapple
Here is where you can buy your copy Amazon  Soft Cover book : here is ebook link A nice introduction to Bob Luther as author here.


 Update - Bob talks about shipping books for his Kickstarter program - 8-22-13

LR Bob Luther - David Larsen

 About 2 years ago I received a phone call from Sarah Hutton - a research intern at that time for Bob. She had many good questions for me as the owner of several Apple 1 Computers. About one year ago Bob came to Floyd, Virginia for a visit and to interview me about our Apple 1 experiences. I am delighted that the interview ended up in the  book as the former Christmas Tree Grower in Southwest Virginia.  

my favorite reading place

I have been associated with computers for more than 50 years and was totally engaged during the first 30 years of the microcomputer revolution while teaching at Virginia Tech.  I continue to this day as a serious collector and historian of microcomputer memorabilia. I have learned a host of new and interesting stories  from Bob's book - Anyone with an interest in computer history and specially about Apple 1 computers will find this book keeping them up at night well past regular bed time.
"By David Larsen" KK4WW Computer Collector Historian

IBM PC is 32 years old today 8-12-13

      IBM PC is 32 years old today 8-12-13


             Time sure goes by fast - enjoy what you have - DL

             "By David Larsen"

Vintage Computer - Jack Rubin heads for Chicago with PDP8I Minicomputer for his collection

Jack & Pat Rubin

Jack Rubin and his wife Pat visited our "Bugbook Historical Microcomputer Museum" today to pick up a PDP8I Minicomputer for Jack's collection. He is retired now and plans to restore and make this an operational minicomputer. Jack and I had time to compare a lot of ideas about setting up a good museum display and we would both like to have our computers on display for folks to enjoy. I do have my small display in Floyd and people really like to see the computers and memorabilia however it is a very small part of our collection.   We also had time to visit our museum display in Floyd Viriginia as well as our Chantilly Farm.
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                                 PDP8I for Jack Rubin's Vintage Computer Collection

         

  Jack Rubin & David Larsen in                                          Pat Rubin & Gaynell Larsen
 "Bugbook Historical Microcomputer                        in front of calculator museum display
Museum" computer display

Pat next to part of old ham radio collection          Pat, Jack & Gaynell after lunch at Larsen's

Dave & Gaynell Larsen

It has been a great weekend for my wife Gaynell and I. WOW it actually started on Friday with the visit of Bob Rosenbloom from California to pick up his 3 new computers. See story here Click. Saturday 8AM - ham radio meeting with the "Floyd Amateur Radio Society" , latter in the morning meeting with client. Then in
the afternoon we traveled to Appomattox,Virginia for a High School class reunion for Gaynell. We got up early Sunday to come back to Floyd so we would be here when Jack and his wife arrived.  We timed it just right as we arrived within 10 minutes of the Rubin's arrival in Floyd.  Then a little touring of our computer museum and the local area & out to the warehouse to load up PDP8I for Jack.  We had some good conversation with Jack and Pat -They plan to come visit next May on Memorial Day and join us at our Chantilly Farm for our 4th annual Bluegrass Festival & that will be fun- then a lunch prepared by Gaynell.  A few photos and we sent Jack and Pat on the way to Chicago. I am just finishing this blog and the  video of the visit at 6PM. Its been great and now I am ready to sit down and relax.
"by David Larsen" KK4WW Computer Collector Historian 

Vintage Computers- PDP8s & PDP8 Minicomputers have a new home with Bob Rosenbloom

LR Bob & Dave

Bob Rosenbloom came in early this morning by plane from Santa Cruz, California and arrived  at the "Bugbook Historical Microcomputer Museum" warehouse ready to load up by 10:30 AM. Our loading crew arrived about 10 minutes later. Bob's rented truck was loaded with the PDP8S, PDP8 minicomputer and the Systron Donner Analog Computer in about 1 hour - the loading really went smoothly as the Analog computer weighs in at 800 pounds - we used a forklift to get this on the truck. Bob also loaded an ASR33 Teletype for the PDP computers.   The PDP8S was rather small and light weight - it went into the  passenger seat of the truck for a cushy ride to California.
Bob was treated to a Virginia Lunch at our house by my wife Gaynell. Bob and I then did a 2 hour tour of our area that included the "Bugbook Historical Microcomputer Museum" and our "Chantilly Festival Farm" . It was about 3:30 PM however for Bob's California time it was only 12:30 and he took to the road to get a good start on his 2700 mile journey to Sana Cruz, CA.

Update - My wife and I visited Bob Rosenbloom and Lyle Beckley - in October 2013 after they had purchased computers from  our collection - great visit we  also visited the Computer History Museum while in CA.

   Bob arrived today and here is a few words about the journey in his own words, 8-9-13

                          Video of Bob's visit in his words

 The Systron Donner Analog computer weighs 800 pounds - a forklift was need to get this on the truck.

 Easy fellows, this is important cargo.

 On the truck - easy with the right equipment.

Analog Computer strapped down for the 2700 mile journey.  Loading crew Nate, Bob and Jason.

Dave - curator of the "Bugbook Historical Microcomputer Museum" inspecting the passenger, the PDP8S.



More to be added to this blog - I need some sleep now.


 Here is a look at some of Bob's Vintage Computers.


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WOW it was great to load these computers for a new home and  Bob is sure excited to have them for his collection. Bob really likes the vintage minicomputers and other large antique computer memorabilia.  I like all this also however I am working more with the historical Microcomputers. All of our staff are delighted to see these computers go to a new home where they will be treated very special.
"By David Larsen" KK4WW Computer Collector Historian.

Bob Rosenbloom is heading to Virginia for vintage PDP computers for his Collection

A PDP8, PDP8S and Systron Donner model 80 Analog Computer will be leaving the 'Bugbook Historical Microcomputer Museum' collection for new home this weekend.  Vintage computer collector Bob Rosenbloom is arriving tomorrow on a Red Eye flight.  Bob will be taking these additions to his collection home in a rented truck. This is a long drive to his home in California however Bob feels more confident in personally picking up the computers then trusting a commercial shipper.  I will post more on this adventure for Bob and I as we pack the computers in this rented truck and he is off to California.


Just received email Bob is on the plane and we expect him here in  Floyd VA about 10AM today. 
WOW good timing he arrived today at 10:30AM - see next blog for more.

Bob and some of his collection

 Here is a look at some of Bob's Vintage Computers.




"By David Larsen" KK4WW Computer Collector

Vintage Computer 1958 Transistor Logic - Autonetics Recomp

Recomp

 Recently I was working in our computer museum warehouse and brought out a computer made in 1958 with transistor logic. It is an Autonetics Recomp 501 digital computer. This looks like an attempt by Autonetics to make a commercial computer from the cards and designs used in the Minuteman 1 ICBM guidance computer. Not many of these computers were made and this one is serial number 003. I located one additional Recomp computer in a California museum.  These computers had a very limited success commercially  however it sure is an interesting piece of hardware - they called it a portable office computer.  You will enjoy the photos.
Update 10-26-14 I think the Recomp 501 was first then the Minuteman 1 computer.
This really brings back some old memories of my college days. I worked at Autonetics during the summer of 1959 testing the Minuteman 1 computer - it is a small world. This has to be about the first transistor logic digital computer. The transistor was invented in 1947 and first used commercially in about 1955 or 56. 

Paragraph below is  from Wikipedia  .

 Autonetics built a portable office computer and ranging radar for trainers and fighters and was responsible for the guidance and control system for the Boeing-built Minuteman missiles. The division ultimately produced the Monica family of microcomputers, the D-17B Minuteman I computer, and the D-37B ^[4] and D-37C Minuteman II computer, in which microminiaturization reduced weight by two-thirds. Autonetics also developed and tested flight programs for the D37D Minuteman III computer.

 I don't see much information about the Recomp and would like to hear from anyone who used one or has any stories to tell about this computer. Do you know where I could obtain a Minuteman 1 computer ?

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These photo's are my computer - See additional  interesting views online with the link below these photo's.

  Photo 1
The LOGO name plate                  



                               
                                      Photo 2

Right wing with transistor modules - these swing out and you can get at all the wiring from the back side - see photo 5 for wiring view.

Photo 3
Left wing with transistor modules - this also swings out for complete access.



Photo 4
Drum memory - looks like the all the registers as well as the data are on this form of memory - ie Accumulator - the instructions were executed serially so this is a very slow computer.


Photo 5
All the wiring in the connecting cables is white and soldered point to point. Very
labor intense to make in those days. Looks like trouble shooting this would be a challenge.



Photo 6
Here you can see a close up of the wiring to the card connectors. A cold solder joint could be a hard problem to find.



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Here are some really good photos on line of an Autonetics Recomp (CLICK) - when you go to the first photo click on the photo to see index of more views. This is nice. If you search around this site some you can also find PDF files of the manuals. Looks like complete documentation on line for this old computer.



Tomorrow morning I am going to the Roanoke Virginia Hamfest and sell some of my extra amateur radio equipment. I am trying to be less  of a hoarder of  radios from my 60 years as an amateur radio operator. Tomorrow afternoon my wife -Gaynell - & I are going to a big fish fry at a cousin's place on the James River.  Should be a fun weekend.
"By David Larsen" KK4WW Computer Collector / Historian