The Living Computers Museum Isn't

The Living Computers Museum in Seattle, founded by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, has closed and some of its vintage computing pieces are set to be auctioned off by Christie's. Among the items to be auctioned is Allen's personal DECsystem-10, a 1971 KI10 DEC PDP-10, the first computer he and Bill Gates used. The closure has raised concerns as some donors expected their items to remain in the museum permanently. The estate's decision to auction off donated items has sparked criticism, with concerns about the fate of these historical artifacts. The situation highlights the challenges museums face in preserving donated collections. The closure of such institutions, like the National Museum of Communications in Irving, TX, underscores the risks associated with donating items to museums. The move to auction off the vintage computing pieces has drawn attention to the complexities of estate planning and the uncertainties surrounding the preservation of historical artifacts.