Why (was Re: Article about collecting in Antique Trader.)

From: Chuck McManis <cmcmanis_at_mcmanis.com>
Date: Wed Jun 30 13:35:25 1999

Ok, so this dicussion seems to have come around again, if there was a faq
for Classic Computers it might read:

Q: Why do you collect classic computers?
A: Why do you have to ask?

Sure it sounds flippant, but its true. Everyone collects them for different
reasons and whether or not they are written up in some magazine or
newspaper, some people will collect them for reasons other people
disapprove of (or at least disagree with.) The only consistency is that
collectors acquire computers to own, and people who acquire computers
without an intention to own them aren't collectors. Generally this latter
group includes speculators, dealers, scrap hounds, and maintenence folks.

I collect PDP-8's. That has put me into the role of "broker" for the moment
because I'm trying to locate a 5100 to get for Anthony so that I can trade
it for his 8/L :-).

I suspect there is a certain amount of "collectible fever" that strikes
folks. These people buy stuffed toys and Altair 8800s for the same reason,
"Because someday, someone will pay a lot of money to own this." I think
these people were frustrated as children that the couldn't touch the things
behind the display case in museums :-)

There are a lot of technology people coming of age and entering the "gravy"
years where their disposable income is at its peak. These folks, like
generally their fathers before them, collect the technology of their youth.
(which was sports cars for people who were teens in the 40's and 50's and
is computers for people who were teens in the 60's and 70's.)

Then there are technologists, like I suspect Tony is and I certainly am,
that simply respect the equipment and the effort that went into it. Its
hard to see that effort get washed away in the crush of progress to be
forgotten and never mourned by the new "push button" generations.

Someone once asked me, "What do you _really_ do with this PDP-8?" and I
answered simply, "Admire it."

--Chuck
Received on Wed Jun 30 1999 - 13:35:25 BST