Hunter Irving, a former employee of the Living Computers: Museum + Labs in Seattle, has a deep love for vintage computers. After coming across a 1986 Apple Macintosh Plus in a thrift store, he purchased it for $150, despite it failing and filling his office with smoke when plugged in. With a blown capacitor replaced, Irving set out on a quest to connect the nearly 40-year-old machine to the modern internet, merging his expertise with his childhood nostalgia.
Growing up in North Carolina, Irving’s first computer was a hand-me-down Macintosh SE/30, similar to the Macintosh Plus. He studied computer science at Appalachian State University and made his way to Seattle in 2016 after visiting Living Computers and falling in love with the museum. Working as a guide and systems engineer, Irving learned from the engineering team and helped restore various vintage machines. Despite the museum’s closure, Irving’s passion for vintage computers remains strong.
Irving is a treasure hunter who frequents estate sales and thrift shops in search of old computers. After replacing the blown capacitor in his Macintosh Plus, he managed to play games he remembered from his childhood but soon desired to connect to the internet. Creating his own tool called MacProxy Plus, Irving made it possible to view modern websites on vintage computers, such as Reddit, Wikipedia, NPR.org, and even a makeshift version of YouTube. He shares all of his code on GitHub for others to enjoy.
Through his MacProxy Plus tool, Irving was able to run OpenAI’s ChatGPT on his Macintosh Plus, bringing modern artificial intelligence capabilities to a vintage interface. This merger of past and future technologies is akin to a time machine, allowing users to experience the thrill of experiencing cutting-edge AI on a nearly 40-year-old computer. Despite the limitations of the hardware and operating system, Irving’s project showcases the endless possibilities of breathing new life into vintage machines.
Irving’s dedication to preserving and utilizing vintage computers is evident in his work with the Macintosh Plus. His passion for connecting the past with the present through technology is showcased in his innovative solutions, such as building his own tool to navigate modern websites on vintage machines. By sharing his code and documenting his process, Irving hopes to inspire others to explore the intersection of old and new technologies.
As the buzzwords of 2024 revolve around artificial intelligence and generative AI, Irving’s project highlights the unique possibilities that come from merging vintage and modern technologies. With a strong desire to bridge the gap between past and future technologies, Irving’s work serves as a testament to the enduring appeal of vintage computers and the innovative solutions that can breathe new life into them.
