Living Computers Museum to permanently close, auction vintage items (geekwire.com)

Article summary

The Living Computers Museum in Seattle, founded by Paul Allen, is permanently closing and will auction off some of its vintage computer items. The museum's collection includes rare and historic computers, such as a DEC PDP-10 that Allen and Bill Gates used before founding Microsoft. The auction, titled 'Gen One: Innovations from the Paul G. Allen Collection', will feature over 150 items and is expected to raise significant funds for charitable causes. The museum's closure marks the end of an era for the tech community in Seattle.

Main themes

• Museum closure
• Vintage computer collection
• Auction and charity
• Paul Allen's legacy
• Tech history preservation

What commenters say

• The sale of the museum's collection is a loss for the tech community and a destruction of Paul Allen's legacy.
• The auction is a necessary step to liquidate the estate and fulfill Paul Allen's wishes to donate the proceeds to charity.
• The collection's value lies not only in its monetary worth but also in its historical and educational significance, and it should be preserved for future generations.
• The decision to sell the collection is driven by the executor's disinterest in the museum and its contents, rather than a desire to preserve Paul Allen's legacy.
• The museum's closure is a result of the lack of arrangements made by Paul Allen to ensure its continuation after his death.
• The sale of individual items from the collection may lead to their preservation and appreciation by new owners, rather than being lost or destroyed.
• The executor is simply following Paul Allen's instructions, as stated in his will, to liquidate the estate and donate the proceeds to charity.
• The collection's dispersal will make it difficult for the public to access and learn from these historic computers, and alternative solutions, such as donation to other museums or institutions, should be considered.