Wikipedia Creator Jimmy Wales’ Computer and NFT Auctioned for Almost $1 Million

The NFT is of Wikipedia's debut onscreen image when Wales posted the first words, "Hello world."

By Agence France-Presse | Updated: 16 December 2021 14:32 IST

Wikipedia Creator Jimmy Wales’ Computer and NFT Auctioned for Almost $1 Million

Photo Credit: Agence France-Presse

Wales used the Strawberry iMac during the development and research of Wikipedia

Highlights

The NFT is of Wikipedia's debut screen image with the words "Hello world"
The buyer can edit the page, and it can be reset to the original webpage
NFTs have become staples of auction houses and the art market

An NFT memorializing Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales's first edit on the online reference resource 20 years ago and the computer he used when programming the platform sold for a total of almost $1 million at auction Wednesday.

Christie's sold the NFT — Non-Fungible Tokens that are unique digital objects and confer ownership through blockchain technology -- for $750,000 (roughly Rs. 5.7 crore) and the Strawberry iMac for $187,500 (roughly Rs. 2.4 crore).

The NFT is of Wikipedia's debut onscreen image when Wales posted the first words, "Hello world."

First-Ever Wikipedia Page Edit Is Being Auctioned As NFT

The Strawberry iMac was the personal computer he "used for development and research at the time of the website's launch on January 15, 2001," Christie's said.

The NFT, presented in JPEG format, is interactive, with the buyer able to edit the page, "which can be reset with a timer to revert to its original state," according to Christie's.

Part of the proceeds from the sales will help fund Wales's WT.Social project, a "non-toxic alternative" social media network that uses an advertising-free model.

The new darling art form for some collectors and investors, NFTs have become staples of auction houses and the art market.

An NFT of the World Wide Web's source code sold in July for $5.4 million at Sotheby's, while the all-digital work of American artist Beeple drew $69.3 million in March at Christie's, an NFT record.

Also on Friday, Christie's announced the auction of a bulletproof vest worn by rap megastar Kanye West during a party marking the release of his 2021 album "Donda."

Why does Redmi refresh its phones so soon? We discuss this on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.

Affiliate links may be automatically generated - see our ethics statement for details.

Comments

For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.