It recently occurred to me that all of the programmers I know, almost all of them got their start by tinkering in hardware, pulling apart old computers, etc.<p>Without having done any research on the topic, I'm wondering how many others outside of my personal circle got their start in pulling apart old computers/hardware tinkering etc.<p>I'm growing to suspect, in spite of rapid adoption of more CS-oriented programs being introduced in schools worldwide, if the relative lack of readily available "hackable" consumer hardware compared to the amount available 10-20 years ago may have an impact on the next wave of programmers - will there be more? Less?<p>If there's been any research/discussion on this before, by all means let me know. Very interested to read.