We already know that Paul Allen is a super geek, but how far does his passion for computers really go?
The Wall Street Journal today has a fascinating story on how the Microsoft co-founder — known for his collections of vintage aircraft and guitars — is now on the prowl for old computers. Those old machines, some of which weigh hundreds of pounds, will be part of Allen’s Living Computer Museum in Seattle.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Allen is in the process of upgrading the museum, which is only available by a special appointment.
Among the old computers on Allen’s wish list: an IBM 7094 and a Imlac PDS-1.
Here’s more from the WSJ story:
The museum is an homage to a particular slice of computing’s past: machines that allowed multiple users to work on them at the same time, known as “time sharing.” Mr. Allen is stocking it with gargantuan-sized mainframes and data processors from the early days of computers.
Also on Mr. Allen’s wish list: 32-bit machines built by Interdata; and an Imlac PDS-1, a programmable display system, considered to be one of the predecessors of the modern-day computer workstation.
