Steve Jobs continues to captivate collectors, and the latest proof is a hand-built science fair project from his youth that just sold at auction for EUR 29,524. The item, created by Jobs in 1968 when he was in the 8th grade, drew intense interest despite modest opening bids.
The exhibit centered on the silicon-controlled rectifier and featured two demonstration circuits paired with a 10-page report. Just days before bidding closed, the project was still sitting below EUR 2,577 in early online activity, making the final sale price a significant jump.
A Piece of Apple History Preserved for Decades
According to the auction house, the project “remained at the famed ‘Apple Garage’ property for decades” after being kept by Jobs’ family. His stepbrother, John Chovanec, explained that Jobs repeatedly declined to reclaim the project, eventually letting Chovanec hold onto it. That personal connection helped give the piece added historical weight for bidders.
The listing described the item as being “in overall very good to fine condition,” which likely contributed to the competitive bidding that pushed the final price well above early estimates.
Other Standout Lots in the Apple Anniversary Sale
The science fair project was part of a broader auction marking Apple’s 50th anniversary, an event that offered nearly 150 Apple and tech-related rarities. Several items commanded substantial sums. A signed Steve Jobs business card sold for EUR 134,551, a collection of Jobs’ personally owned electronic components brought in EUR 23,351, and a 1983 letter in which Jobs declined a speaking invitation fetched EUR 21,210.
The top result of the entire sale went to a fully functional Apple-1 computer from the second batch of 50 units ever produced. That machine sold for EUR 428,895, underscoring the enduring premium collectors place on early Apple hardware and Jobs-related artifacts.
The results reflect ongoing demand for objects tied to the company’s origins, whether they represent working technology or early glimpses into the mind of one of the industry’s most influential figures. Jobs’ 8th-grade exhibit stands out precisely because it predates Apple entirely, offering a window into his early fascination with electronics.
The 1968 science fair project ultimately closed at EUR 29,524.
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Image: 9to5mac.com
