Happy 30'th Birthday PC

The Altair 8800 shown above was the worlds first IBM PC. It included Intel's 8080 processor, a memory for 65,000 words, 65,000 subroutine levels, and up to 181 available machine instructions.
The Altair 8800 shows little similarity with today's computers and came without monitor, keyboard or disc storage. Instead, switches and LEDs were used to develop simple programs. Even Bill Gates is reported to have used the device for his first applications. The Altair did not achieve a major breakthrough in terms of production units. The first computers to receive significant public exposure were the Apple II in 1978 and the IBM PC in 1981.
It was popularized in the January 1975 issue of Popular Electronics. The Altair 8800 was announced as the "world's first minicomputer kit" and could be ordered and built for $397. The assembled model was offered for $498.
The overall structure was housed in a box of dimensions 17x18x7 inches.

Signed,
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J.D.
I-T's Scrap book monkey
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