Historic Discovery: The World's First Desktop Computers Unearthed in UK House Clearance
A routine house clearance in the UK has unearthed a technological revelation in an extraordinary twist of fate. The discovery of two Q1 desktop computers, dating back to 1972, has been heralded as a significant find in the annals of computing history.
The Q1, recognised as the world's first desktop computer, set the stage for the digital revolution that would follow, transforming everything from how we learn to how we communicate. The machines marked the advent of the digital era, setting the stage for developing the sophisticated EdTech platforms that now form an integral part of educational systems worldwide.
The find was made by the clearance company, Just Clear. Initially overlooked amidst a pile of boxes, these computing pioneers were nearly lost to history until further investigation revealed their true identity.
The founder of Just Clear, Brendan O'Shea, consulted with an expert and discovered this model was the world’s first fully integrated desktop computer powered by a single-chip microprocessor for CPU.
Powered by the groundbreaking Intel 8008 processor, the machines boast a design more akin to a typewriter than today's sleek PCs, featuring a distinctive neon-orange plasma display.
O'Shea expressed his astonishment at the discovery:
“Our teams find all sorts of things while clearing houses on a daily basis, some with historical significance, but never did I imagine that we’d find something so important to the field of technology and the history of computing! Occasionally, we encounter items deemed important enough to preserve and archive for the future in an auction sale or, in this case, an exhibition. I’m told that these models are extremely rare, so to find a pair of them is beyond exciting.”
“The computers were buried under a hoard of boxes, and initially, we just thought they were two nice pieces of 70's computing history that perhaps we would have data wiped if not suitable for reuse and sent to our E-waste stream. However, after consulting our advisors and conducting research over time, we realised we had, in fact, uncovered two ultra-rare items, of which there are only three known in existence in the world today. We are so honoured to be able to share these pieces of history with the public and contribute to the celebration of vintage computing”.
The Q1s are taking centre stage at Kingston University's technology exhibition, "Creating the Everything Device: Showcasing the machines that built the future." Curated by Paul Neve and Professor Islam Choudhury, the exhibition is a tribute to the devices that paved the way for today's digital tools.
"There would be no PCs, no Macs, no Apple or Android phones without the Q1 Corporation," noted Paul Neve.
This exhibition, which runs until 17th February, offers a look at the evolution of computing technology, featuring an array of first-generation computers and gaming machines.
Reflecting on the broader implications of this discovery, Neve observed, “There would be no PCs, no Macs, no Apple or Android phones without the Q1 Corporation. The early pioneers in the 1970’s and 1980’s laid the foundation for today’s ‘everything’ device - the modern computer, which is so ubiquitous in everyday life.”
“We rely on computers for our work, communication, productivity and entertainment, but without the early trailblazers, none of this would exist.”
Without the foundational work of the early computing era, symbolised by the Q1, the multifaceted world of EdTech, with its digital classrooms, online resources, and personalised learning experiences, might not have come into being.
