An original Apple computer, hand-built by company founders Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak 45 years ago, goes under the hammer in the United States on Tuesday. The functioning Apple-1, the great-great-grandfather of today's sleek chrome-and-glass Macbooks, is expected to fetch up to $600,000 at an auction in California. The so-called "Chaffey College" Apple-1 is one of only 200 made by Jobs and Wozniak at the very start of the company's odyssey from garage start-up to megalith worth $2 trillion. What makes it even rarer is the fact the computer is encased in koa wood -- a richly patinated wood native to Hawaii. Only a handful of the original 200 were made in this way.

A fully operational Apple 1, Steve Jobs' first ever computer, will be auctioned off in Germany in just a few days time. The rare machine is one of eight working models in the world, and is expected to fetch £262,000 ($317,693). Apple founders Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak created the personal computer in 1976 - but produced only 150 models to sell to their friends and family. The machine is one of only eight working Apple 1 computers in the world. Apple founders Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak created the personal computer in 1976 - but produced only 150 models to sell to their friends and family.

We apply the label of "genius" to everyone today, from our greatest achievers to exceptional children, and we even nickname our favorite musicians after it. But what, exactly, is genius? Is it someone who is crazy enough to tackle problems we are even afraid to acknowledge, or is it just someone who is better than us at living our dreams. We are the ones who marvel and wonder, longing for the salvation genius might bring. We are the ones who pay homage and obeisance.

It was 40 years ago, on April 1, 1976, that three men signed a contract that would go down in history. Stephen G. Wozniak (hereinafter referred to as WOZNIAK), Mr. Steven P. Jobs (hereinafter referred to as JOBS), and Mr. Ronald G. Wayne (hereinafter referred to as WAYNE), all residents of the County of Santa Clara, State of California, have mutually agreed to the formation of a company to be specifically organized for the manufacture and marketing of computer devices, components, and related material, said company to be organized under the fictitious name of APPLE COMPUTER COMPANY." On April 12, however, an amendment was filed. Ronald Wayne was giving up his status as partner, and all of his obligations and responsibilities would be taken over by Jobs and Wozniak. In exchange, he would receive 800. (He later received another 1,500 from the company.)