25 years of the PC
Along with the mobile phone, the internet, and television, it was one of the most popular inventions of the 20th century: today the Personal Computer is 25 years old.
Although the term ‘Personal Computer’ was around before 1981, it was only made popular after IBM launched their 5150 machine.
With the memory capacity of a modern toaster and a $1,565 price tag the IBM 5150 PC revolutionised home and business computing. Because of its open source design, the IBM machine was copied the world over, and soon the term ‘PC’ came to cover any machine ‘compatible with IBM’s specifications’.
There have been billions of PCs sold since 1981 and the internet would never have happened without its success. It is also responsible for the rise of a relatively large company called Microsoft, who managed to keep hold of the licensing agreement for the PC’s operating system.
So the first 25 years have been good for the PC, but who can say if it will be around in another 25?
You can read more about the PC's birthday at the BBC website.
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