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This remarkable MITS Altair 8800 computer system set comprises two original Altair 8800 computers (serial nos. 220128 and 220765K), each fitted with their original Intel 8080 CPUs, featuring white ceramic bodies and gold caps (marked C8080 N1601 and C8080A R7004). Both rear panels retain their original MITS, Inc. “Creative Electronics” serial number labels and have been thoughtfully modified with custom “Boot” switches.
The iconic front panels are complete with all 25 toggle switches, 36 illuminated indicator lights, and original “MITS Altair 8800” badges at the base; one panel shows noticeable lettering wear, consistent with period use. The systems were modified to operate daisy-chained together via ribbon cable. While the system is untested, it remains in very good to fine cosmetic condition; the interiors are notably dusty and should be carefully cleaned prior to testing.
The set is further enhanced by two scarce MITS Altair Disk 8˝ floppy drives, each with variant faceplates, one retaining its rear serial number label (Serial No. DD3179).
Accompanying the hardware is an exceptional trove of original documentation and ephemera, including manuals, invoices, correspondence, and technical materials. Of particular note is the highly sought-after January 1975 issue of Popular Electronics (addressed to Everson), whose cover famously introduced the Altair 8800 to the world. The lead article proclaims:
“Project Breakthrough! World’s First Minicomputer Kit to Rival Commercial Models… ‘ALTAIR 8800,’ Save over $1000.”
The feature article by H. Edward Roberts and William Yates, “ALTAIR 8800 MINICOMPUTER, PART I,” spans pages 33–38 and provides in-depth technical details, schematics, parts lists, and early applications of the machine.
Additional documentation includes a handwritten note dated December 17, 1975, titled “BASIC Version 3.0, Bill Gates,” correspondence between Everson and MITS, Altair brochures and peripheral technical sheets, a MITS software license agreement, warranty registration card, and extensive purchase and service records.
Manuals present include two Altair Computer System Documentation binders, containing the Altair 8800 Operator’s and Assembly Manuals; documentation for the Altair 88-PMC PROM Memory Card, 88-2 Serial I/O Board, and 88-DCDD Floppy Disk System; as well as a Processor Technology 5K BASIC Manual, Altair 8800 BASIC Reference Manual (Version 4.1), Intel 8080 Assembly Language Programming Manual, Comptek CL2400 Real Time Clock Reference Manual, and others.
Often credited with igniting the microcomputer revolution, the Altair 8800 was the first commercially successful personal computer. Its appearance in Popular Electronics directly inspired Bill Gates and Paul Allen to develop Altair BASIC, the first product of their newly formed company—Micro-Soft—cementing the Altair’s place as one of the most important artifacts in the history of personal computing.
This extraordinary Altair 8800 system and documentation archive comes from the Jack Everson Collection. John Edwin “Jack” Everson (1942–2021) was a lifelong mechanical and electrical engineer whose passion for technology spanned from the Space Race to the dawn of the personal computer era. A native of Long Island, Jack’s early interest in electronics blossomed into a distinguished career that included contributing to the power systems design for NASA’s Surveyor moon probe and later roles in industry, including at Tektronix. Inspired by the now-iconic January 1975 Popular Electronics issue that introduced the Altair 8800, Jack became an active member of the early computing community, subscribing to seminal publications, joining the Homebrew Computer Club, and corresponding directly with MITS on troubleshooting and enhancements to the Altair platform. His collection reflects a lifetime of engagement with early microcomputing and includes both rare hardware and an unparalleled archive of original documentation capturing the birth of the personal computer revolution.
From the Jack Everson Collection.
