A History of the Personal Computer

A History of the
Personal Computer

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A History of the
Personal Computer

The People and the Technology

Roy A. Allan

Allan Publishing
London, Ontario, Canada.

Copyright © 2001 by Roy A. Allan. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced or
distributed in any form or by any means, or stored in a
database or retrieval system without the prior written
permission of the author, except for brief passages
quoted in a review.

First Edition 1.0 eBook

National Library of Canada Cataloguing in
Piiblication Data

Allan, Roy A. , 1931-

A history of the personal computer: the people
and the technology

Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 0-9689108-3-1

1. Microcomputers— History . I. Title.

QA76.17.A45 2001 004.16'09 C2001-901709-X

Product names used in this book are for identification
purposes only and may be registered trademarks or trade
names of their respective owners. The author and
publisher disclaim any and all rights in those marks.

Every effort has been made to make this book as complete
and accurate as possible, but no warranty or fitness is
implied. The information provided is on an "as is"
basis. The author and publisher have neither liability
or responsibility to any person or entity with respect
to any loss or damages arising from the information
contained in this book.

Additional copies or more information on the book are
available from: Allan Publishing, 1624 Louise Blvd.,
London, Ontario, Canada. N6G 2R3

Printed and bound in Canada.

This book is dedicated to my dear wife Ann Louise for
her constant care and support.

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A History of the Personal Computer

Contents

Preface xii

Acknowledgments xiv

Part I .... The Historical Background i/i

Chapter 1 Development of the Computer 1/3

1.1 -- Original Digital Computers 1/3

1.2 -- IBM 1/6

1.3 -- Technology 1/8

1.4 -- Software 1/12

1.5 -- Other Developments 1/14

1.6 -- Small Computer Systems 1/15

Chapter 2 Personal Computing in the 1960's 2/3

2.1 -- Time sharing 2/3

2.2 -- Dartmouth DTSS and BASIC 2/5

2.3 -- The First Personal Computer 2/7

2.4 -- Small Computer Systems 2/8

2.5 -- Graphics and the User Interface 2/9

2.6 — Software 2/11

2.7 -- Hobby & Amateur Computing 2/14

Part II .... 1970's - The Altair/Apple Era 3/1

Chapter 3 Microprocessors in the 1970's 3/5

3.1 -- Intel 3/5

3.2 -- Motorola 3/10

3.3 -- Texas Instruments 3/12

3.4 -- Other Companies 3/13

3.5 -- Miscellaneous 3/16

Vll

viii A History of the Personal Computer

Chapter 4 Transition to Microcomputers 4/1

4.1 --

The 1970-74 Transition

4/2

4.2 --

MITS Altair

4/8

4.3 --

Other Computers --1975-76

4/11

4.4 --

Commodore

4/15

4.5 --

Tandy/Radio Shack

4/16

4.6 --

Atari

4/17

4.7 --

Other Computers --1977-79

4/18

Chapter 5

Apple Computer in the 1970's

5/1

5.1 --

Wozniak/Jobs Early Years

5/1

5.2 --

Apple I Board

5/4

5.3 --

Founding of Apple Computer

5/9

5.4 --

Apple II

5/10

5.5 --

Apple Disk II Drive

5/12

5.6 --

1978/79 Activities

5/13

Chapter 6

Microsoft in the 1970's

6/1

6.1 --

Gates/Allen Early Years

6/1

6.2 --

Altair/BASIC

6/5

6.3 --

The Albuquerque Years

6/8

6.4 --

Relocation to Seattle

6/13

Chapter 7

Other Software in the 1970's

7/1

7.1 --

Operating Systems

7/1

7.2 --

Programming Languages

7/3

7.3 --

Word Processors

7/6

7.4 --

Spreadsheets

7/8

7.5 --

Databases

7/9

7.6 --

Miscellaneous

7/10

Part III ... 1980's - The IBM/Macintosh Era 8/1

8/3

Chapter 8

Microprocessors in the 1980's

8.1 --

Intel

8/3

8.2 --

Motorola

8/6

8.3 --

Other Microprocessors

8/7

8.4 --

Other Corporate Developments

8/8

Chapter 9

The IBM Corporation

9.1 --

Introduction

9/1

9.2 --

PC Approval and Development

9/4

9.3 --

The Original PC

9/6

9.4 --

The Following Models

9/11

9.5 --

Software

9/19

9.6 --

Corporate Activities

9/23

9/1

Contents ix
Chapter 10 Apple Computer in the 1980's 10/1

10.1 -- Corporate & Other Activities 10/1

10.2 — Apple III 10/9

10.3 -- Apple II' s 10/11

10.4 -- Lisa 10/14

10.5 — Macintoshes 10/18

Chapter 11 Competitive Computers 11/1

11.1 — Tandy/Radio Shack 11/1

11.2 -- Commodore 11/3

11.3 — Osborne 11/6

11.4 — Kaypro 11/8

11.5 — Compaq 11/9

11.6 -- NeXT 11/11

11.7 — Miscellaneous 11/12

Chapter 12 Microsoft in the 1980's 12/1

12.1 -- Corporate & Other Activities 12/1

12.2 — The IBM PC Software 12/11

12.3 -- Operating Systems 12/15

12.4 — Windows 12/17

12.5 -- Languages 12/21

12.6 -- Application Programs 12/22

Chapter 13 Other Software in the 1980's 13/1

13.1 -- Operating Systems 13/1

13.2 -- Programming Languages 13/7

13.3 -- Word Processors 13/9

13.4 — Spreadsheets 13/13

13.5 -- Databases 13/16

13.6 -- Integrated Programs 13/19

13.7 -- Miscellaneous 13/22

Part IV .... 1990's -- Current Technology 14/1

Chapter 14 Hardware in the 1990's 14/3

14.1 -- Microprocessors 14/3

14.2 — IBM Computers 14/8

14.3 — Apple Computers 14/10

14.4 — Other Computers 14/11

X A History of the Personal Computer

Chapter 15 Software in the 1990's 15/1

15.1 — Microsoft 15/1

15.2 — Apple Computer and IBM 15/7

15.3 — Other Software 15/9

15.4 — The Road Ahead 15/15

Chapter 16 Corporate Activities in the 1990's 16/1

Part V .... Bits and Bytes 17/1

Chapter 17 Hardware and Peripherals 17/3

17.1 — Memory 17/3

17.2 -- Storage Devices 17/4

17.3 -- Input/Output Devices 17/10

17.4 -- Displays 17/11

17.5 — Printers 17/12

17.6 — Peripheral Cards 17/16

17.7 — Modems 17/19

17.8 — Miscellaneous 17/20

Chapter 18 Magazines and Newsletters 18/1

18.1 — The Beginning 18/1

18.2 — Apple Publications 18/4

18.3 — PC Publications 18/6

18.4 — Other Publications 18/7

18.5 — Reference 18/9

Chapter 19 Other Companies, Organizations

and People 19/1

19.1 -- Early Organizations

19.2 -- Conventions, Fairs and Shows

19.3 -- Historical Organizations

19.4 -- Retailers and Software

Distributors

19.5 -- Networks and Services

19.6 -- Associations

19.7 -- Other Companies and People

Chapter 20 Miscellaneous Items

20.1 — Bits and Bytes

20.2 -- Reference Sources

20.3 -- Standards and Specifications

20.4 -- Terminology: Clarification

and Origins 20/6

19/1

19/4

19/6

9/10

9/13

9/17

9/20

20/1

20/1

20/2

20/3

Contents xi

Appendix A: Some Technical Details of

Various Personal Computers AA/1

Appendix B: Versions of DOS AB/1

Bibliography

Books Bibliography/l

Periodicals BibliographY/27

Index Index/ 1

xii A History of the Personal Computer

Preface

This book has been compiled to fill a gap in
personal computer literature. There are many
biographical books about key individuals such as Bill
Gates of Microsoft or John Sculley of Apple. Other books
are also available providing details of certain
companies and their products . These books quite
naturally focus primarily on products associated with
that particular individual or company.

The intent of this book is to provide a
consolidated coverage of the significant developments in
the evolution of the personal computer and related
products. The book has some emphasis on the technical
and commercial aspects of the developments as compared
to the social details of the participants .

Part I of the book provides a historical
background on the beginning of digital computer
technology. It is a cursory overview of early
developments in both hardware and software from the late
1930 's to the late 1950 's. It also describes the start
of personal computing in the 1960's. Starting with time-
sharing, then simpler programming languages, the first
personal computer and finally significant improvements
to the user interface.

Part II is devoted to the beginning of the
microcomputer: This is "The Altair/Apple Era". It covers
the period of the 1970 's when the original
microprocessors gave birth to microcomputers such as the
Altair in 1975 and to the Apple II in 1977. This is the
exciting period during which the Byte magazine started,
the Homebrew Computer Club was founded, VisiCalc was
created and many other entrepreneurs helped to create
the microcomputer industry.

Part III is "The IBM/Macintosh Era" and describes
the corporate commercialism of the industry. It is the
period of the 1980 's which began with the introduction
of the IBM personal computer in 1981, followed by the
release of the Apple Macintosh computer in 1984. This
was another exciting period as the industry evolved from
small entrepreneurial companies into participation by
large corporations. The basis of the personal computer
market had changed from the "hacker" of hardware and
software, to the utilization by business and the non-
technical home user.

Part IV is a brief overview of the hardware,
software and corporate activities in the 1990 's.

Part V of the book is called "Bit's and Bytes"
and provides details of the peripherals, magazines,
people, companies and other organizations associated
with the personal computer. One chapter also discusses

Preface xiii

such items as reference sources, standards and
terminology origins .

An extensive bibliography and two appendixes have
been provided. The bibliography has a section on books
and another section on periodical articles that describe
initial product releases and other items of
significance. These two sources provide extensive
reference material for those interested in further study
of personal computer history.

There are limitations on the amount and diversity
of historical information that can be included in a book
of this size. The amount of detail on a particular
subject has therefore been limited to items of
historical and commercial significance. As regards
hardware, this has intentionally resulted in more detail
on the significant early developments from Apple and
IBM. In software there is greater coverage of details on
the Microsoft Corporation and its significant products.
Also the focus has been on North America, where most of
the development in microprocessor and microcomputer
technology has occurred. The references cited in the
bibliography will extend each subject area as reguired.

A few comments on gualif ication of dates and
dollar figures for prices are appropriate. Dates are
sometimes termed announced, introduced, launched,
released and shipped. The dollar figures will vary
depending on the manufacturer's list price, the price in
advertising, the street price and the date of
publication. There also tends to be some inconsistency
in both dates and prices depending on the source. These
variations in dates and prices tend to create some
ambiguity. It is hoped that the reader will understand
this and take the dates and prices in a relative sense
within a historical context.

I have been involved with computers for close to
thirty years. However, my modest start was an assignment
by General Motors to do the critical path planning on a
vehicle prototype using an IBM 1130 computer. That
humble beginning initiated my education and fascination
with the technology. I do hope that you find this book
as interesting and informative to read as it was to
write .

Roy A. Allan,

London, Ontario, Canada

June, 2 001.

xiv A History of the Personal Computer

Acknowledgements

My thanks to Geoffrey R. Pendrill for his partial review
of the manuscript and his valued suggestions.

Photographs on the book cover are courtesy of:

Apple Computer, Inc., Compaq Computer Corporation,
Intel Corporation and International Business Machines
Corporation .

Finally my appreciation for access to the extensive
library holdings at the University of Western Ontario.