Altair 8800
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Altair 8800 is a pioneering microcomputer designed by Ed Roberts and his company Micro Instrumentation and Telemetry Systems (MITS), which played a significant role in the development of the personal computer industry, influencing Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs to create the Apple I and Apple II. The Altair 8800 was first introduced in the January 1975 issue of Popular Electronics, a magazine that catered to hobbyists and electronics enthusiasts, such as Lee Felsenstein and Gordon French. This computer was based on the Intel 8080 microprocessor, which was also used in other early computers like the Intel Intellec and Micral N. The Altair 8800's design and features were widely publicized in various computer magazines, including Byte and Dr. Dobb's Journal, which helped to generate interest among programmers and engineers, such as Bill Gates and Paul Allen.
● Introduction
The Altair 8800 was a significant innovation in the field of computer science, as it was one of the first commercially successful personal computers, paving the way for the development of home computers like the Commodore PET and TRS-80 Model I. The computer's design was influenced by the work of John Atanasoff and Clifford Berry, who developed the Atanasoff-Berry Computer (ABC), one of the first electronic computers. The Altair 8800's popularity was also fueled by the creation of computer clubs, such as the Homebrew Computer Club, which was attended by Steve Wozniak and Ron Wayne. The club's members, including John Draper and Captain Crunch, played a crucial role in the development of the personal computer industry, with many going on to found their own computer companies, like Apple Inc. and Microsoft.
● Design and Features
The Altair 8800's design was characterized by its use of the Intel 8080 microprocessor, which was a popular choice among computer designers at the time, including Chuck Peddles and Don Lancaster. The computer's circuit board was designed by Ed Roberts and featured a number of innovative components, including transistors and diodes, which were also used in other early computers like the Kenbak-1 and Datapoint 2200. The Altair 8800 also included a number of input/output devices, such as switches and lights, which allowed users to interact with the computer, similar to the PDP-8 and PDP-11. The computer's bus architecture, which was influenced by the design of the IBM System/360, allowed users to add their own peripherals, such as printers and disk drives, from companies like Teletype Corporation and Shugart Associates.
● History
The Altair 8800 was first introduced in the January 1975 issue of Popular Electronics, which was edited by Les Solomon and featured articles by Don Lancaster and Forrest Mims. The computer was an instant success, with thousands of kits being sold to hobbyists and electronics enthusiasts, including Bill Gates and Paul Allen, who went on to develop the BASIC interpreter for the Altair 8800. The computer's popularity was also fueled by the creation of computer magazines, such as Byte and Dr. Dobb's Journal, which featured articles and reviews of the Altair 8800 and other early computers, like the Apple I and Sol-20. The Altair 8800 also played a significant role in the development of the personal computer industry, with many companies being founded by entrepreneurs who were inspired by the computer's success, including Microsoft and Apple Inc..
● Technical Specifications
The Altair 8800's technical specifications included a clock speed of 2 MHz, which was relatively fast for a microcomputer at the time, comparable to the Intel Intellec and Micral N. The computer also featured 256 bytes of RAM, which could be expanded to 64 KB using memory boards from companies like Dynamic Memories and Mostek. The Altair 8800's input/output devices included switches and lights, which allowed users to interact with the computer, as well as a number of peripherals, such as printers and disk drives, from companies like Teletype Corporation and Shugart Associates. The computer's bus architecture, which was influenced by the design of the IBM System/360, allowed users to add their own peripherals and expansion cards, including CP/M and BASIC interpreters from companies like Digital Research and Microsoft.
● Impact and Legacy
The Altair 8800 had a significant impact on the development of the personal computer industry, inspiring a generation of computer designers and programmers, including Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs. The computer's success also led to the creation of a number of computer companies, including Microsoft and Apple Inc., which went on to become two of the largest and most influential technology companies in the world. The Altair 8800 also played a significant role in the development of the home computer market, with many companies producing their own versions of the computer, including the Commodore PET and TRS-80 Model I. The computer's legacy can still be seen today, with many computer museums and collections featuring the Altair 8800 as one of the most important and influential computers of all time, alongside the ENIAC and UNIVAC I.
● Models and Variations
The Altair 8800 was produced in a number of different models and variations, including the Altair 8800a and Altair 8800b, which featured improved circuit boards and input/output devices. The computer was also cloned by a number of other companies, including IMSAI and Polymorphic Systems, which produced their own versions of the Altair 8800. The computer's bus architecture also allowed users to add their own peripherals and expansion cards, including CP/M and BASIC interpreters from companies like Digital Research and Microsoft. The Altair 8800's design and features were also influential in the development of other early computers, including the Apple I and Sol-20, which were designed by Steve Wozniak and Lee Felsenstein, respectively.