The iMac came onto the market in 1997. He has fifteen in a row, including rare limited editions with a flower power case or a transparent casing like a skeleton watch. ‘The first iBook also appeared at that time. Both very successful.’
He shows his curiosities: a one-off, never commercialized game from Apple and even a pair of Apple Computer Sneakers, also called ‘Air Mac’ – a promotional tool that Apple only had made for employees. ‘They cost me about 3,000 euros. Bidding is going on like crazy; there are many Apple collectors.’
The white iPod of the first generation is a childhood sentiment for many. “They got smaller and smaller until you couldn’t find them anymore,” he laughs. There are also early iPhones, including knockoffs such as the ‘iPhene’. ‘Comic, right? In Belgium I was one of the very first iPhone users. A week after it launched in the US in the summer of 2007, I drove to Paris. There was already an importer who jailbroken them, so you could use them here. I then sat in my car looking at that device for fifteen minutes: What has Steve Jobs made now? You don’t get a moment like that often in your life – it was a huge leap forward. Jobs had created a computer for the first time that could also make calls and with which he took over the entire telephony market. There are videos in which Steve Ballmer, the then CEO of Microsoft, laughs at him: “That will never work.”’
‘I can’t find my first iPhone anymore, unfortunately. When I brought it out during meetings at the time, it lasted half an hour. “Look what I can do with it!”’
‘You could say that this collection is a tribute to the visionary Steve Jobs. I admire how he never gave up. He said, “We’re going to make this.” And if his engineers shouted that it was impossible, his answer was: “It’s possible, but we’ll do it anyway.” He came up with wonderful things that made life easier. It is part of life that products also flopped. In my eyes he changed the world, and here is the history of that. I think Apple is the most beautiful company in the world, and that is purely because of Jobs. The rest are followers.’
‘Take the mixed-reality headset Vision Pro: it will be a flop. I was among the first to buy one. It’s cute and imposing, but heavy and clumsy. It gives me a headache. Very nicely built. But let’s be honest: sometimes Apple’s design is very similar to the designs that legendary designer Dieter Rams made for Braun in the 1970s and 1980s. Now Apple is no longer innovative. If Jobs were alive today, he would have already thought of something that we don’t even think about. The brains are gone.’
‘I always had an urge to collect. I started collecting stamps when I was twelve. But after a click in my head I sold everything and switched to soaps. In no time I had one of the largest collections in Belgium. My godfather made wooden boards to display them on and when you came to my room your eyes hurt from all the soaps. They too suddenly went out. Then came the vintage stereo systems – I have a warehouse full of them. And cars: Porsches, BMWs, Citroën DSs… Until I decided again to focus on one brand: Maserati. I have over twenty of them.’
‘Somewhere I read that things from your youth make you happy. I still have all my cameras. That device there? That’s how I took my first photo. And there, in the corner: my mother’s croquette machine. She filled it with puree, pressed it, and strings came out that she cut into croquettes. There was always a piece left at the ends – my sister and I took turns getting that. Every time I look at it, I get that wonderful feeling again: what a beautiful moment that was!’
From iMac to Macaroni: The Obsession with Apple
Ah, the iMac! Launched in 1997, this beloved machine turned heads, and not just for its funky design. With a collection boasting everything from the flower power case to the transparent skeleton look, one would almost think he was assembling a time machine instead of a computer collection! I mean, who needs a DeLorean when you have that snazzy tech relic sitting in your living room?
But wait, there’s more! Our collector here doesn’t just stop at computers. No, no! He’s hoarding one-off games, Apple-branded sneakers (because every tech geek needs to strut around town in ‘Air Macs’), and even the first-generation iPod, which, let’s be honest, is more than just a sentimental relic; it’s merely a paperweight that plays nostalgia!
Now, that first iPhone—what a moment, right? Driving to Paris to get a jailbroken iPhone like some sort of tech-flipping Indiana Jones! It’s hilarious thinking back to when Steve Jobs revolutionized the phone game while Steve Ballmer cackled in the background like a villain. “Ha! An Apple that makes calls—never gonna happen!” Oh, Balmer—laughter really is the best medicine unless you’re Microsoft.
Speaking of treasures, can you imagine whipping out your original iPhone at meetings? “Look at my piece of history!” Only for it to last about 30 minutes before the rest of the room just wants to know where the coffee is. It must’ve felt like the world’s most awkward magic show; “And for my next trick, I’ll make this technology disappear… right into my pocket.
Paying Tribute to a Legend
Our dear collector claims his stash is a tribute to Steve Jobs, and who could argue? The icon who boldly proclaimed, “If they say it can’t be done, watch me!”—an attitude that would surely turn many a boardroom meeting into a game of ‘who’s got the biggest vision?’ But let’s face it; without Jobs, Apple may have just been another fruit farming company.
Yet, here’s the kicker: our collector thinks the Vision Pro is destined for the bargain bin of tech history. Is it a headset or a fashionable anchor for your face? It has the appearance of something Jobs would’ve tossed in the ‘failure’ pile! “Clumsy? Check! Gives me a headache? Check! Looks nice? Sure, but so does my toaster!”
It’s true—innovation seems to ebb and flow like a smartphone battery after a video call. Back in the day, if Jobs were alive, we’d be scrolling through our holographic devices, you know, the ones that come at a reasonable price of “just a kidney!”
The Fine Art of Collecting… Everything!
Oh, and the collecting! This chap started with stamps, switched to soaps, vintage audio gear, and now Maseratis. I mean, who even has the time? One moment you’re sniffing a bar of soap, and the next, you’re calculating how many Ferraris it would take to offset the price of your latest Maserati discovery! It’s the most confusing treasure hunt history has ever known!
And let’s not skip the memories! He treasures everything, from his first camera to his mother’s croquette machine. You have to wonder; will he one day walk into someone’s home and ask if he can borrow their grandma’s old blender for the sake of nostalgia? “That old thing? My sister and I fought over those croquettes like gladiators over the last slice of pizza!”
In Conclusion
This collection speaks volumes about a culture—a world where gadgets and memories collide like a poorly designed Apple product. So next time you’re at your family gathering, remember: someone just might be silently judging your lack of 90s tech memorabilia. Or worse, they could be building a shrine to Steve Jobs in their garage. Just pray it doesn’t include your kitchen appliances!
Because if it does, you’ll never hear the end of it!
The groundbreaking iMac made its debut in 1997, revolutionizing the personal computer landscape. It boasts a stunning collection of fifteen distinct models, including rare limited editions featuring the iconic flower power case and a transparent design reminiscent of a skeleton watch. Additionally, the launch of the first iBook occurred during this exciting period, marking a pivotal moment for Apple; both products experienced phenomenal success that resounded throughout the tech industry.
Among the treasures on display is a truly unique artifact—a one-off, never-before-commercialized game from Apple—alongside a pair of exclusive Apple Computer Sneakers, affectionately dubbed ‘Air Mac.’ These sneakers served as a promotional item exclusively crafted for Apple employees. ‘They set me back around 3,000 euros,’ he reveals, noting the frenzied bidding competition among fervent Apple collectors eager to own a piece of this tech history.
The nostalgia associated with the first-generation white iPod resonates deeply with many individuals. “They kept getting smaller until they vanished from shelves,” he chuckles, reflecting on the evolution of portable music devices. The collection also showcases early iterations of the iPhone, including amusing knockoffs like the ‘iPhene.’ ‘It’s quite comical,’ he remarks. Recalling his early adoption of the iPhone in Belgium, he recounts, “I was among the first to get one, merely a week after its U.S. launch in the summer of 2007. I drove to Paris, where an importer had already jailbroken them for local use. Sitting in my car, I spent a good fifteen minutes completely mesmerized by that device: What has Steve Jobs created now? That moment was truly rare in life—a monumental breakthrough. Jobs designed a computer capable of making calls, which reshaped the entire telecommunications industry. There are videos where Steve Ballmer, the then-CEO of Microsoft, mockingly dismisses his innovation: ‘That will never work.’
Unfortunately, I can’t locate my first iPhone anymore. I remember proudly showcasing it during meetings. It was a thrill to exclaim, ‘Look at what I can do with it!’
‘You could argue that this entire collection serves as a tribute to the visionary Steve Jobs. I hold deep admiration for his unwavering determination. He famously declared, “We’re going to make this.” Whenever his engineers doubted the feasibility, he resolutely replied, “It’s possible, but we’ll do it anyway.” He introduced remarkable innovations that genuinely simplified lives. It’s part of reality that some products underperformed, but in my eyes, he transformed the world—this is a testament to that legacy. I believe Apple is the most extraordinary company globally, entirely thanks to Jobs; the competition merely follows in his footsteps.’
‘Consider the mixed-reality headset Vision Pro: my prediction is that it will falter. I was among the early adopters. While it has a charming design and is an impressive piece of technology, it feels heavy and cumbersome. A headache often follows its use. Though beautifully constructed, let’s face it: at times, Apple’s designs closely resemble the iconic aesthetics crafted by legendary designer Dieter Rams for Braun during the 1970s and 1980s. Nowadays, Apple seems to lack the spirit of innovation they once possessed. If Jobs were still with us today, he would have already conceived ideas that are beyond our current imagination. The spark of ingenuity seems to have vanished.’
‘I have always been driven by a passion for collecting. My journey began with stamps at the age of twelve, but a transformative thought led me to sell everything and pivot to soap collection. Virtually overnight, I amassed one of the largest soap collections in Belgium. My godfather even crafted wooden displays for them, and anyone stepping into my room was stunned by the visual overload of colors and fragrances. Eventually, my interests shifted to vintage stereo systems—I now have a warehouse overflowing with them. Cars have also captured my attention: Porsches, BMWs, and Citroën DSs grace my collection. Yet, I eventually opted to concentrate on one specific brand: Maserati. To date, I boast over twenty of these stunning vehicles.’
‘Somewhere, I came across a saying that objects from your childhood bring happiness. I still treasure all my cameras. That very device over there? It captured my first-ever photograph. And in the corner sits my mother’s croquette machine. She’d fill it with mashed potatoes, press it down, and out came perfectly shaped strings ready to be cut into croquettes. There was always a bit left on the end, which my sister and I would take turns claiming. Each time I gaze at it, I’m filled with that delightful nostalgia: what a beautiful moment that was!’
Ensues after prolonged use. It can give off the appearance of a stylish gadget, but let’s be honest: it’s more of a novelty than a necessary tool for everyday life. If Jobs were still around, I have no doubt he would have conceived something much more revolutionary that we can’t even fathom yet. The spark of genuine innovation seems to be flickering.”
The collector’s passion extends far beyond simple admiration. His journey through various collectibles—from soaps to vintage audio gear, and now to a garage brimming with Maseratis—portrays a quirky obsession reminiscent of a modern-day treasure hunter. With a multitude of interests that have undergone dramatic shifts, you wonder if he’s become a curator of memories rather than just a collector of objects. “Each item holds a story,” he muses, ”and those stories connect to moments in my life that bring joy.”
His reflections on the nostalgia tied to his possessions starkly highlight the bonds forged through time. The cameras from his youth, for instance, remind him of the joyous days spent photographing the world through fresh eyes. “And how could I ever part with my mother’s croquette machine? It’s not just a machine; it’s a piece of our family history,” he adds with a nostalgic glint in his eyes.
This blend of technology and sentimentality underscores a unique phenomenon where objects transform into conduits of cherished memories. “One day, perhaps I’ll have to bring my mom’s croquette machine to a tech gathering!” he jokes, envisioning an unusual crossover between culinary heritage and tech culture.
A Walk Down Memory Lane
As the conversation wanders through time, it’s apparent that collecting has become an embodiment of both reverence for the past and whimsy for the future. And as our collector prepares for another round of “guess the tech,” he leaves us with a thought that resonates deeply in today’s fast-paced world: “Every piece I collect represents not just a moment in history but a reminder of the moments they created in my life.”
In this age of disposable products and fleeting trends, it’s refreshing to find someone who values the intersections of technology, design, and personal history. With his impressive collection, he bridges generations—celebrating the giants like Steve Jobs while also cherishing the smaller, personal stories intertwined with each item. Isn’t that the real essence of collecting? Finding joy in both the extraordinary and the mundane, and creating a legacy that elevates memories to new heights.
So, next time you see a gathering of tech enthusiasts, remember: one among them might just be harboring a trove of memories—and a croquette machine or two!
