11 August,2014 07:38 AM IST | | A Correspondent
On this day, August 12, 33 years ago in 1981, IBM launched ihe IBM Personal Computer or the IBM PC. Here are 15 things that you probably may not know about the IBM PC and its legacy...
IBM Personal Computer
On this day, August 12, 33 years ago in 1981, IBM launched ihe IBM Personal Computer or the IBM PC.
Here are some things that you probably may not know about the IBM PC and its legacy...
Picture courtesy/YouTube
PC becomes the norm: Although the term 'Personal Computer' was applied as early as 1972 to the Xerox PARC's Alto, the success of the IBM Personal Computer (IBM PC) led everyone to identify the term PC with the desktop computer.
The Chaplin connection: IBM chose actor Billy Scudder (pictured) to play legendary English actor-comedian Charlie Chaplin's ever popular character 'The Tramp' for a series of advertisements for the IBM PC.
Ad's the way: IBM targeted home and business users by promoting their PC with smart ad slogans like, "Presenting the IBM of Personal Computers", "Education. Entertainment. Personal finance. Data management. Self-improvement. Games. Communications. And yes, business", "My own IBM computer. Imagine that" among others. The idea here was that it could be used for home computing, students and business owners.
It had software from Microsoft! Microsoft and many other companies like Digital Research, Personal Software Peachtree Software, provided programs for the IBM PC.
Set out on an 'Adventure': 'Colossal Cave Adventure' or 'Adventure' as it was simply known was the first video game on the IBM PC. The name to the computer adventure game genre was apparently derived from its name. Designed by Will Crowther, a programmer and cave enthusiast, it's layout was based on part of the Mammoth Cave system in Kentucky. USA.
A year: That's how long it took the IBM team to develop the PC.
The configuration: The IBM PC had a Intel 8088 CPU, a Floppy disk or casette system. One or two internal floppy drives were optional.
Long lasting: The IBM model 5150 has proven to be reliable; despite their age of 30 years or more, some still function as they did when new. Factors that have contributed to the 5150 PC's longevity are its flexible modular design, use of few special nonstandard parts, and rugged high-standard IBM manufacturing.
A collector's item: The IBM model 5150 Personal Computer has become a collectable among vintage computer collectors, due to the system being the first true "PC" as we know them today.
Text content: Courtesy/Wikipedia
