A new exhibit at Spain’s Museo de Historia de la Computación features a unique tribute to computing history: a physical replica of the Cray-1 supercomputer. The original Cray-1, released in 1976, was famous for its distinct circular design and immense processing power for its time. To recreate this look, the museum repurposed 30 older Mac Mini computers, stacking them to replicate the signature cylindrical shape and bench-like base of the original machine.

The project serves as an example of upcycling, transforming hardware that might otherwise be considered obsolete into a display piece that honors the legacy of early supercomputing. While the replica functions as a visual homage, it does not replicate the internal architecture or the specific cooling systems that defined the original Cray-1. The exhibit highlights the evolution of computing hardware, contrasting the compact, modern components of the Mac Minis with the massive, room-filling scale of the 1970s-era supercomputer.