Integrated Circuit Prototype Auction Remains Unsold

Some time in the middle of last week, we did bring you word that the world’s first integrated circuit prototype by Jack Kilby will be going under the hammer over at revered auction house Christie’s, but it seems that the response to this piece of technological history has proved to be more lukewarm that striking hot. I suppose the original iPhone’s $15,000 sale on eBay had a way higher chance of being picked up, although the price point pales in comparison to the rumored $1 million to $2 million reserve price.

Apparently, bidders did not manage to arrive at the undisclosed reserve price where the Christie’s auction is concerned. Christie’s has already called it “one of the most important advancements in the history of microcomputing,” but this prototype integrated circuit did not even manage to surpass the $850,000 mark.

There were hopes of this prototype integrated circuit arriving at the $1 million to $2 million mark, and it did look regal being mounted on glass while encased in a plastic case, not to mention being signed by Kilby himself alongside a statement from chip builder Tom Yeargan. Ah well, perhaps this particular prototype integrated circuit will be able to find a willing buyer at the reserve price some time down the road.

Edwin Kee
Categories: Computers
Tags: auction