World's Earliest Desktop Computers Discovered During House Clearance In London

With the rapid pace of technological advancement introducing new features and devices daily, commonplace desktops often feel outdated. However, recent discoveries of historical objects put modern technology into perspective.

In a significant find, two of the world’s earliest desktops were uncovered during a house clearance in London. According to a report by Mirror, the chance discovery unveiled two of the three surviving Q1 computers, which were launched 50 years ago, marking a crucial milestone in the evolution of modern computing.

Brendan O’Shea, the head of Just Clear, the waste management firm behind the discovery, expressed astonishment, stating, “Never did I imagine that we’d find something so important to the field of technology and the history of computing.”

The staff at Just Clear stumbled upon these relics while cleaning out a house in London, finding them hidden beneath a stack of boxes. While the firm typically salvages and repurposes items, they initially had no idea about the significance of the discovered artefacts. It was only after extensive research and consultation with experts that they realised the rarity of their findings.

O’Shea explained, “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.”

Rather than being recycled, the Q1 computers will be showcased in an exhibition at Kingston University’s computer science department, highlighting their historical importance. Launched in 1972 with Intel’s innovative 8008 processors, the Q1 resembled a typewriter but was the first fully integrated personal computer, featuring a screen, keyboard and printer all in one unit.

Paul Neve, co-curator and professor of computer science at Kingston University, emphasised the significance of the Q1, stating, “There would be no PCs, no Macs, no Apple or Android phones without the Q1 Corporation.” The Q1 computers paved the way for the earliest fully integrated computers from IBM and Apple, shaping the trajectory of modern computing.

This discovery shows the humble beginnings of today’s cutting-edge technology and underscores the importance of preserving and honouring the artefacts that paved the way for our digital age.