Museum Pays $905,000 for First Apple Computer

The first Apple computer ever assembled has been acquired by The Henry Ford museum in Dearborn for a whopping $905,000, making it the most world’s most valuable computer relic.

The museum, whose exhibits include inventions spanning three centuries, purchased the Apple-1 from Bonhams New York at its History Science Auction. The price was almost twice as high as its estimated value, WXYZ, Channel 7, reports.

The computer was the first pre-assembled computer ever sold. and was built by Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak.

The museum announced the acquisition on its Facebook page:

“We’re excited to announce today the acquisition of a 1976 Apple-1 computer, one of the first 50 originally produced and still in operational condition. We purchased the Apple-1 at Bonhams History of Science auction in New York City this afternoon.

“Only 64 of the originally produced 200 Apple-1 computers are known to exist – with 15 of this group known to be operational. We’re currently working with Bonhams regarding bringing the Apple-1 Computer to its new home inside Henry Ford Museum. Details on when the computer will be put on permanent display will be released at a later time.”

The announcement prompted a comment encouraging the museum to invite Wozniak to the unveiling of the relic.

Commenters were generally positive, but one said he felt dated.

“Now I feel old,” George Ealem commented. “I remember reading about them.”

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Photo via The Henry Ford Facebook page