In the UK, an exhibition at the University of Kingston attracted widespread attention thanks to two exceptional pieces. In fact, the institution presents two examples of the Q1 computer, a particularly important object in the history of computer science.
What makes the Q1 so interesting is that it is widely considered to be the first-ever true consumer desktop computer in history. It was released in 1972, at a time when these machines were still called “microcomputers,” as opposed to the most efficient systems that could take up an entire room.
The great-grandfather of your computer
One of its most important innovations was the inclusion of an Intel 8008. It was Intel's first 8-bit microprocessor, meaning it processed data in packets of eight binary digits (0 or 1). To illustrate, modern CPUs are typically based on 64-bit architectures, which are capable of processing much more information in each cycle.
Unlike almost all current chips, where the workload is spread across multiple subunits, it only had a single core. It also ran at a fairly ridiculous frequency by 2024 standards: 200 kHz, several orders of magnitude below the frequency of today's processors, which are generally clocked at several GHz.
Suffice it to say that the Q1 performed pretty ridiculously compared to the device you're reading this article on, even if it's an old smartphone. But in its day it was a real racing animal. The Q1 and its Intel 8008 were pioneers that paved the way for major advances in consumer computing. Today, if you have a machine capable of surfing the Internet, playing games, editing videos, or doing any number of diverse and varied jobs, it is largely thanks to the influence that these real-life dinosaurs had.
“The pioneers of the 1970s laid the foundation for modern computers that are now ubiquitous in everyday life. We rely on computers for work, communication, productivity, entertainment… but without these pioneers, none of this would exist. Without Q1 there would be no PCs, no Macs, no Apple, no Android,” says Paul Neve, historian and professor of computer science at Kingston University.
Extremely rare antiques, found by chance
What makes the presence of these two Q1s so extraordinary is that they are incredibly rare, especially in Europe. Almost all were sold in their country of origin, the USA. Only a very limited number eventually crossed the Atlantic. To be able to exhibit these two specimens, Kingston University benefited from the helping hand of fate.
They were exhumed from an old attic by Just Clear, a London clearance and cleaning company, in an unspecified context – possibly after the previous owners died. Regardless, the company's teams were fascinated by these old machines. It was only after contacting the University of Kingston that they became aware of the historical nature of these objects.
Made this discovery triple the number of officially referenced copies. There used to be only one, now there are three. It's certain that there are a few other dusty Q1s lying dormant in the homes of people who have long forgotten about them. If your parents or grandparents were geeks before their time, take a look at their antique inventory. Who knows, maybe you'll find an iconic object from computer history there too!
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