Vintage tech memorabilia just surfaced—a complete issue of Popular Electronics from January 1975 that captured something pivotal: the first major coverage of the Altair 8800 personal computer.

What's fascinating here is the human element. Bill Gates and Paul Allen were examining this very same magazine, sparking conversations that would eventually crystallize into Microsoft. Two friends, one magazine, countless future possibilities.

Think about it—back then, personal computing seemed radical. Today, we're watching a similar inflection point unfold with decentralized networks and Web3 infrastructure. The parallels are striking: skepticism from incumbents, passionate builders in garages, magazine features introducing breakthrough concepts to early adopters.

This particular issue genuinely ranks among the most influential tech publications ever printed. It documented the moment when computation transitioned from institutional mainframes to individual hands. Not just a magazine—it was a historical turning point.