An interesting experiment! Unfortunately since I moved continents I don’t have any of that old gear any more… but the concept is great and I apply it for more things.
My first computer was a Sinclair ZX80, quickly followed by the awesome Acorn BBC/B (Acorn completely missing from oldcomputers.net!)
I learnt programming slightly before, on a DEC PDP-8 (in VT78 with two 8″ floppy drives and a line printer) at a local club.
I am a strong believer that technology not only makes the learning process much more fun, but it also creates allows a more hands-on experience for kids! If you are interested in other educational products for kids, I would check out our educational apps! :)
Best Regards
Wombi
http://www.wombiapps.com
My father has a Sinclair something and other “obsolete” computers/calculators in the attic which he used during his uni days in the UK. Most of those, I believe he soldered together from kits. He has never shown them to me as far as I can recall. :S