If you’ve ever wanted to lay your eyes on an original ultra-rare Apple-1 computer — and don’t happen to have a spare six-figures of disposable income lying around — now’s your chance.
That’s because Detroit’s Henry Ford Museum is showing off one of a handful of fully-operation Apple-1 mainboards as a celebration of how far computing (and Apple) has come over the past few decades. You’ll have to be quick, though, as the breakthrough computer is only on display from now until the end of the month.
The working Apple-1 is on show at the Henry Ford Museum’s William Clay Ford Plaza of Innovation up until 30 April. This Apple-1 was acquired by the museum during an auction back in 2014. While it was expected to fetch “just” $300,000 to $500,000, it was eventually purchased by the museum for an eye-popping $905,000.
In stark contrast to the iPhone — which is likely to sell its billionth unit sometime this summer — only 200 units of the Apple-1 were ever created. Of this number, just 64 are thought to exist today, and a minuscule 15 are known to be operational.
“We wanted it out to celebrate the 40th [anniversary of Apple],” museum representative Kristen Gallerneaux told Cult of Mac. “[To] give people a sneak peek of artifacts that will form a new permanent tech exhibit. This new exhibit is in early stages, [but] will open in a few years. Apple 1-will have key role!”
Gallerneaux adds that the museum is currently on the hunt for donations of computing artifacts to help build up its collection. If you want to get in touch with the Henry Ford Museum about this, you can do so here.
Update: Comments added from Kristen Gallerneaux
Via: Adafruit
