Two of the world’s first desktop computers, nearly 50 years old, were discovered during a routine house clearance, revealing an important and rare piece of computing history. The Q1 desktop computers, launched in 1972, were found hidden under boxes in London by the waste firm Just Clear. Initially, the staff did not recognize the significance of their find but decided to hold onto the machines until they could learn more about them.
Unable to find information online, Just Clear’s boss, Brendan O’Shea, consulted a computer expert who confirmed that the Q1 model was the world’s first fully integrated desktop computer powered by a single-chip microprocessor. The Q1, which resembled a typewriter, was a significant advancement in computer history, known for its high-quality build, unique design, and neon-orange plasma display. Manufactured by the Q1 Corporation in America, only a few units were ever brought to Britain.
These two Q1 computers are now on display at a technology exhibition at Kingston University in Surrey. Mr. O’Shea expressed his excitement over the discovery, stating, “Our teams find all sorts of things while clearing houses on a daily basis, some with historical significance, but never did I imagine that we’d find something so important to the field of technology and the history of computing.” He added that the models are extremely rare, with only three known to exist worldwide.
Paul Neve, co-creator of the exhibition from Kingston University’s Computer Science Department, emphasized the Q1 Corporation’s impact on modern computing. He said, “There would be no PCs, no Macs, no Apple or Android phones without the Q1 Corporation. The early pioneers in the 1970s and 1980s laid the foundation for today’s ‘everything’ device – the modern computer, which is so ubiquitous in everyday life.”
The exhibit features 60 different machines that have significantly influenced our lives, including models from Atari, Sinclair, BBC Micro, Acorn, Amstrad, Commodore, and Dragon. After the exhibition at Kingston University’s Penrhyn Road campus in Kingston upon Thames concludes next Saturday, the iconic Q1 computing devices will either be auctioned or sold privately.
Mr. O’Shea concluded by saying he was “honored to be able to share these pieces of history with the public” and to contribute to the celebration of vintage computing. The discovery and exhibition of these Q1 computers highlight the remarkable advancements in technology over the past five decades and the enduring legacy of early computing pioneers.
