Vintage Computer Collecting Thrives Amid AI Revolution

WHO:

ABC News - Josh Dersch, software engineer and vintage computer collector, estimates he owns more than 200 vintage computers and devices.

ABC News - Erik Klein, president of the Vintage Computer Federation.

ABC News - Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne, co-founders of Apple.

AP News - Sellam Ismail, organizer of the first vintage computer festival in 1997 and co-founder of the Vintage Computer Federation.

WHAT:

ABC News - More than 3,500 people attended the two-day Vintage Computer Festival.

ABC News - The festival celebrated the 50th anniversary of Apple, founded in 1976.

ABC News - Rare, iconic computers like the Apple-1 can fetch hundreds of thousands of dollars.

AP News - Dersch showcased a fully functioning Xerox Alto workstation at the festival.

WHERE:

ABC News - The Vintage Computer Festival took place at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California.

AP News - Dersch's collection is located in Seattle, Washington.

WHEN:

ABC News - The Vintage Computer Festival occurred in early August.

AP News - Next year will mark the 30th anniversary of the first vintage computer festival organized by Ismail.

WHY:

ABC News - The growing community of vintage computer collectors aims to preserve classic machines that helped launch the digital revolution.

AP News - Klein stated that his collection had become an “albatross” and he worried about burdening his family.

HOW:

ABC News - Dersch spends countless hours tinkering in his garage to restore vintage computers.

ABC News - Klein organizes festivals, repair workshops, and swap meets as president of the Vintage Computer Federation.

AP News - Ismail helped other groups launch similar festivals in Argentina, Germany, and Switzerland.

(UPDATED August 10, 2026 10:20 UTC)

The Vintage Computer Festival recently drew more than 3,500 attendees to the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California, celebrating the 50th anniversary of Apple, which was founded in 1976. Among the highlights, software engineer Josh Dersch showcased a fully functioning Xerox Alto workstation, while Erik Klein, president of the Vintage Computer Federation, expressed concerns about the burden of his extensive collection. The festival not only honors the legacy of iconic machines but also reflects a growing community dedicated to preserving the technology that sparked the digital revolution.