A piece of tech history fetched a whopping $315,914 (around Rs 2.6 crore) at a recent auction. What is the highlight of this auction? A rare Apple-1 computer, the first computer built by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak. This special Apple-1 was a special gift from the founders to Apple’s first applications engineer. Fully restored and with all original components, it’s not just a computer – it’s a glimpse into Apple’s early days. The auction shows how much people still love the memories associated with Apple’s history and its early products.

This Apple-1 computer belonged to Dana Redington, one of Apple’s earliest employees, who owned it since 1978, according to RR Auction, the company selling it. The board was restored to working condition by Apple-1 expert Corey Cohen in June 2024. Prior to this auction, the board was unknown to Apple collectors and had never been put up for sale, making it a unique find in the world of vintage Apple products.

What is the Apple 1 computer?

A highly sought-after piece of computing history, the Apple-1 computer, has been restored to full functionality and is now complete with all the necessary components and peripherals for operation, according to RR Auction. This particular Apple-1 board comes from the collection of early Apple employee Dana Redington, who has owned it since 1978. It is accompanied by a certificate from Redington stating that he received the board from Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak when Apple was preparing to discard the old Apple-1 boards in favor of the new Apple II. With their permission, Redington selected the best motherboards and other components from the discarded pile.

This Apple-1 board, recorded as #104 in the Apple-1 Registry, was previously unknown to the Apple collecting community and had never been offered for sale prior to this auction. This set includes the original ‘NTI’ Apple-1 board, a period Cherry mechanical keyboard, a modern Insignia LCD monitor and other accessories, a business card and a photo of Redington with Wozniak.

This board, restored by Apple-1 expert Corey Cohen in June 2024, was missing several components, including integrated circuits and capacitors, which Cohen replaced with the correct parts periodically. Cohen’s extensive report, including a ‘proof of life’ video, supports the board’s authenticity, noting that it likely came from the ‘trade-in pile’ in Steve Jobs’ office.

The Apple-1, originally conceived by Jobs and Wozniak, was one of the first personal computers to be sold fully assembled, marking a significant shift from hobbyist kits to ready-to-use machines. Only 200 were made, and this particular board holds significant historical significance as it ties directly into Apple’s early history and the careers of those involved, such as Redington, who played a role in the development of Apple’s early software.