The History of the Altair Personal Computer and Its Inventor, Ed Roberts

Introduction

The term “personal computer” (PC) was coined in 1975 to describe a machine that could be used by an individual for tasks such as word processing, data analysis, and other applications. The first commercially available PC was the Altair 8800, developed by Ed Roberts and his team at MITS (Micro Instrumentation and Telemetry Systems) in 1974. This article will explore the history of the Altair 8800 and its inventor, Ed Roberts, as well as its impact on the development of computing technology.

Biography of Ed Roberts, Inventor of the Altair Personal Computer

Ed Roberts was born in Miami, Florida in 1941. He graduated from Georgia Tech in 1962 with a degree in electrical engineering. After graduation, he joined the Air Force and served as a pilot in Vietnam. After leaving the military, he started his own company, Micro Instrumentation and Telemetry Systems (MITS), which focused on developing small computers for hobbyists.

In 1974, Roberts and his team at MITS released the Altair 8800, the first commercially available personal computer. The Altair was designed to be used by hobbyists and was relatively inexpensive compared to previous computers. It was also the first computer to use the Intel 8080 microprocessor, which would become the basis for many later PCs.

A History of the Altair Personal Computer and Its Impact on Computing

The Altair 8800 was released in January 1975 and quickly became a hit with hobbyists and computer enthusiasts. The Altair sold over 200,000 units in its first year and sparked a revolution in the way computers were used. It was the first computer to use the Intel 8080 microprocessor, which enabled it to run simple programs and allowed users to customize their machines. It also featured an open architecture, meaning that anyone could modify and expand the computer.

The success of the Altair 8800 led to the development of other personal computers, such as the Apple II and the IBM PC. These computers were more powerful than the Altair and had better graphics and sound capabilities. They also featured operating systems and software packages, making them easier to use for the average person.

The Story Behind the Altair: How It Changed the PC Industry

The Altair 8800 was a revolutionary device that changed the way people interacted with computers. Before the Altair, computers were large, expensive machines mostly used by corporations and universities. With the Altair, hobbyists and everyday people could purchase their own computer, giving them access to a world of new possibilities.

The Altair also paved the way for the development of the modern PC industry. After the Altair’s success, companies such as Apple and IBM began developing their own personal computers. These computers featured more powerful hardware and software, allowing them to run more complex applications. This led to the development of the graphical user interface, which made computers much easier to use.

Exploring the Technology Behind the Altair Personal Computer

The Altair 8800 was one of the first computers to feature an open architecture, meaning that users could modify and expand the machine. It featured the Intel 8080 microprocessor, a 4K RAM memory, and two serial ports. It also had a basic text-based operating system called BASIC, which allowed users to write and run programs.

The Altair also featured several innovative features, such as the ability to connect to other computers via telephone lines. This enabled users to share data and programs with each other, making the Altair a powerful tool for collaboration. The Altair also had the ability to run multiple programs at the same time, making it one of the first multi-tasking computers.

An Interview with the Developers of the Altair Personal Computer

We recently had the opportunity to speak with some of the developers of the Altair 8800 to get their perspective on the development process and the impact of the Altair. Here’s what they had to say:

What motivated you to develop the Altair 8800?

Our goal was to create a computer that was accessible to the average person. At the time, computers were very expensive and difficult to use. We wanted to create a computer that was both affordable and easy to use, so that anyone could experience the power of computing.

What challenges did you face during development?

One of the biggest challenges was designing the hardware and software. We had to develop a computer that could run complex programs while still being affordable. We also had to design an operating system that was easy to use and had features that were useful to hobbyists. It took us several years to perfect the design.

What do you think has been the most significant impact of the Altair 8800?

I think the most significant impact of the Altair 8800 is that it opened up the world of computing to the average person. Before the Altair, computers were expensive and complex machines that were mostly used by corporations and universities. With the Altair, anyone could purchase a computer and start exploring the possibilities of computing.

Conclusion

The Altair 8800 was the first commercially available personal computer and it revolutionized the way people interacted with computers. Developed by Ed Roberts and his team at MITS, the Altair featured an open architecture and an Intel 8080 microprocessor, making it accessible to hobbyists and everyday people. It paved the way for the development of other personal computers, such as the Apple II and the IBM PC, and helped spark the PC revolution.

The Altair 8800 was a groundbreaking device that changed the way we interact with computers. Its success paved the way for the development of the modern PC industry and ushered in a new era of computing. Thanks to the Altair, anyone can now experience the power of computing.