Interested in retro computing? Elektor Engineering Insights welcomes Adam Wilson, an embedded systems engineer from the UK who restores and documents retro computers from the 1970s and 1980s.

A €25 show, free thanks to Elektor Academy Pro!
 

  REGISTER HERE  


With experience in ARM-based embedded systems, FPGAs, and product design, Adam applies modern engineering tools to the challenges of ageing hardware. His restorations of systems such as the Commodore 64, Sinclair ZX Spectrum, and Apple II show how thoughtful engineering can preserve computing history and reveal the design logic behind these early machines.

The Craft of Computer Restoration

Adam will walk us through his repair process, from diagnosing faults and rebuilding power supplies to designing replacement boards and components using modern parts. He will also discuss techniques for safely powering up old systems and tracing problems caused by corrosion, aging capacitors, and missing chips. Whether you are a retro computing pro or newbie, there is something for everyone! Bring your questions.

Retro Computing Lessons for Modern Engineers

Beyond nostalgia, Adam shows how working with legacy systems can sharpen an engineer’s understanding of hardware fundamentals. Early microcomputers were simple enough to grasp in full, yet sophisticated enough to teach the principles behind timing, bus control, and I/O design that still apply today.

The show includes a giveaway of Retronics, Elektor’s e-book collection featuring 80 stories on vintage test equipment, early computers, and engineering history.

Event details:
• Date: Wednesday, 29 October 2025
• Time: 16:00 CEST (16:00 CEST / 14:00 UTC / 10:00 EDT)
 

Register to attend live or watch the full recording afterward!

This €25 show is free thanks to Elektor Academy Pro!

About Adam Wilson

Adam Wilson is an embedded systems engineer based in the UK.

Adam Wilson - retro computing
Adam shows off a couple of his weel-kept classic computers.

He restores and documents vintage computers on his website and YouTube channel, focusing on practical repair, reverse engineering, and preservation of classic microcomputers from the 1970s and 1980s.