The 1970s and 1980s saw the birth of personal computers, which revolutionized the way people interacted with technology. Before this, computers were expensive and generally reserved for large businesses or research institutions. However, the arrival of personal computers changed everything, allowing individuals to have access to computing power in their own homes and small businesses.
One of the first significant personal computers was the Apple II, introduced in 1977 by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak. It was affordable, user-friendly, and capable of running various software applications. The success of the Apple II paved the way for other personal computers, including the IBM PC, released in 1981. The IBM PC set a standard for personal computing that many other manufacturers followed.
As the personal computer market expanded, so did the range of available software. Companies like Microsoft began to create operating systems that could run on personal computers, with Windows becoming the dominant platform by the late 1980s and early 1990s. This made computers even more accessible, as people could now use word processors, spreadsheets, and other applications for work, entertainment, and education.
The launch of the Macintosh in 1984 further shaped the personal computer market, offering a graphical user interface (GUI) that was much easier for non-technical users to understand compared to the text-based interfaces of earlier systems. Apple’s focus on design and user experience would go on to influence how computers were made for years to come.
During this period, companies like Compaq and Dell emerged, offering affordable, customizable personal computers. The rise of these brands made computers even more accessible to individuals and businesses alike, fueling a rapid expansion of the personal computer industry in the 1990s.
By the mid-1990s, the internet had become a powerful tool for communication and information sharing, and it was integrated into personal computers. This connected users around the globe, enabling email, online shopping, and access to an ever-expanding wealth of information, marking a new era in the development of computing.
