Pigeon Internet Data Packet Sells for $24,600 at Auction
The sale of a physical relic from a 2001 experiment highlights the legacy of early, experimental networking protocols.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Data Centers
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Christie's auctioned a physical relic of early internet history for $24,600, featuring a data packet transmitted by racing pigeons. This item commemorates a 2001 proof-of-concept experiment conducted by the Bergen Linux User Group.
Why it matters
The sale highlights the enduring legacy of RFC 1149, a humorous but technically rigorous 1990 proposal exploring the feasibility of IP datagram transmission over non-standard carriers. It serves as a reminder of early networking research and the whimsical culture of the nascent internet era.
The auctioned packet measures 41mm by 210mm and represents data transmitted across 3 miles by 9 racing pigeons. The experiment ultimately received 4 successful replies during the 2001 test.
The players
Bergen Linux User Group
An organization of computing enthusiasts based in Norway that explores open-source software and experimental networking protocols.
David Waitzman
A network engineer who was the original recipient of the physical data packet in 2002.
Christie's
A global auction house specializing in art, collectibles, and significant historical artifacts.
The details
The 2001 experiment acted as a live test of the RFC 1149 protocol, which proposed transmitting Internet Protocol (IP) datagrams—the basic unit of data sent over the internet—using avian carriers. Researchers converted the digital packets into hexadecimal form and printed them on paper, which was then rolled and stored in a small capsule attached to the pigeon's leg. This manual transmission method essentially bypassed traditional electronic networking hardware to evaluate latency and packet loss over short physical distances.
Timeline
1990: Original RFC 1149 proposal published.
2001: Bergen Linux User Group conducted the live experiment.
2002: Packet was framed and presented to David Waitzman.
October 2026: Christie's sold the framed packet at auction.
The Tech Race
The auction of this physical data packet marks the cultural transition of RFC 1149 from a niche technical joke to a recognized piece of computing history. It reflects how early, experimental networking research remains a touchstone for modern infrastructure developers.
This auction result provides a rare look at the physical remnants of internet protocols that exist primarily as digital abstractions. It remains a historical artifact for collectors and technologists interested in the evolution of networking hardware.
The takeaway
The sale confirms that the early history of the internet is increasingly viewed as a collectible asset class. Interested parties should monitor future auctions by Christie's for additional artifacts related to early computing and networking research.
Further reading
Explore the history of network infrastructure and modern connectivity in Data Centers.
Source note: This article includes information reported by TechRadar.
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