Bergen Linux User Group's pigeon-carried IP packet sells for $20,480 at auction
Key Takeaway
A framed datagram carried by carrier pigeon in a 2001 BLUG networking experiment sold at Christie's for $20,480, far exceeding the $3,000 estimate.
Summary
The Bergen Linux User Group's 2001 experiment in avian IP networking has concluded with a Christie's auction result of $20,480 for the framed data packet. The Norwegian group sent the datagram via carrier pigeon as a deliberate contrast to slow ADSL speeds of the era. The winning bid dramatically exceeded the auction house's $3,000 estimate.
The pigeon datagram experiment
- In 2001, BLUG sent an IP packet via carrier pigeon from one Linux user to another in Bergen, Norway
- The experiment was a commentary on the slow 1-2 Mbps ADSL speeds available at the time
- The datagram was later framed and offered at Christie's with a $3,000 pre-sale estimate
- Final hammer price was $20,480, nearly seven times the estimate
- The event is a notable piece of open-source community history and internet folklore
Why it matters
The auction result elevates a classic piece of hacker culture into the realm of collectible tech history, potentially drawing broader attention to early open-source community creativity.
Original reference: hackaday.com →