Computers are a part of most people’s everyday life. But where and when did they come from? And were they being used by everyday people upon first being developed? The answers to these questions lie in over half a century of computer history, from the development of the first massive data processing machines to the creation of modern microprocessors. However, it was the Personal Computer Revolution of the late 1970’s, and 1980’s that really defined the emergence of computers as a product viable to consumers. A variety of factors contributed to this revolution; however, developments in computer technology in the 1960’s were specifically designed to be more consumer-friendly and served as the major cause of what would eventually become the personal computer revolution.
Rudimentary developments had already been made in the late 1960’s in computer technology, allowing computers some limited, yet significant, consumer use. When the IBM 360/System, a general purpose design for a variety of computers that was used primarily throughout the late 1960’s, was developed, IBM cited it in its manual as being compatible with “such equipment as card read punches, magnetic tape units, disk storage, drum storage, typewriter-keyboard devices, printers, TELEPROCESSING devices, and process control equipment” (360/System 19). Moreover, the viability of computers as a consumer product can be seen in their use in a high school library in the late 1960’s. An article in a 1969 edition of the Journal of Library Automation cites the implementation of an IBM 1401 data processing system in a High School library as “[proving] to be quite successful in saving time and effort” (Flora 17). However, there were drawbacks as well. The same article states that the library had to lease seven pieces of equipment from IBM as well as develop a complex system for organizing and using all the applicable components. The image that can be seen on the next page is an example of the kind of equipment that needed to be leased in order for the system to function well. Clearly, many components were needed and many of these components were not easy to install or maintain (An IBM 360 Computer). Additionally, the manufacturing of these large pieces of equipment was extremely difficult at this time and would later need to be revolutionized as well (Yost 12-14). In his book computers and how they work, Edward Laurie talks about not only the internals of computers and their specific functionalities, but also the limits on manufacturing these components. Integrated circuits, a type of computer chip which will be discussed more later, where at that time extremely difficult to manufacture in such a way that they would be reliable components of computers. While it clearly had its limitations, there was consumer level usage of computers in the 1960’s, showing that computer design was already beginning to tend in the direction of consumers.
Many of the developments in the mid 1970’s that paved the road for consumer computers were direct fixes to problems that had arisen in the 1960’s. During the 1960’s, computers tended to be bulky and unwieldy, often being too large for home use. It was in 1971 however that a new technological development known as integrated circuits emerged on the market. Integrated circuits are a type of computer chip that was much smaller and much faster than any seen at that time. They allowed for computers to be much smaller and faster (Freiberger and Swaine). Another major problem with computers in the 1960’s was the lack of a high level programming language. Such a language would have to be far easier to understand, far easier to use, and far more versatile, and this was lacking throughout the entire 1960’s (Freiberger and Swaine). It was then that the early 1970’s saw the creation of C, a new programming language that fit the criteria for a high level language and can thus be credited with opening the door for many new consumer level applications and software systems. These developments, each of which became an absolute necessity in the 1960’s, then became the immediate cause of the creation of the first consumer computers in the 1970’s.
These first personal computers, developed in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s largely relied on software that was developed in the 1960’s. One of the earliest personal computers, the TRS-80, which was released with support for the BASIC language, a low level programming language created in 1964 (Freiberger and Swaine). Furthermore, C, the language developed in the early 1970’s and considered to be “one of the most common programming languages used for writing other system software and applications” was based on another programming language known as CPL which saw its emergence in the late 1960’s (Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica).
Despite the existence of many other programming languages at the time, C emerged as a critically important stepping stone for the future development of computers. After it was developed in early 1970’s, C developed and quickly became one of the leading languages in the industry by around 1980. This shows just how critically important C was throughout the beginning of the consumer computer revolution. Furthermore, in the mid-1980’s C became so important that the American National Standards Institute found it necessary to create a nationwide standard for all versions of C, because government and military contracts relied on them (Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica). Together, these examples show that the personal computers at the beginning of the personal computer revolution were highly dependant on software from the 1960’s.
Despite the overwhelming evidence, some disagree that 1960’s had such a massive impact on the emergence of the personal computer revolution. They believe that the effects of 1960’s computer development were not critical to the personal computers of the late 1970’s and that they had only a small effect in their creation. However, the technology at the core of many of the 1970’s computers and 1960’s computers was the same, with the notable exception of the Integrated Circuit which was developed in 1971 (Freiberger and Swaine). This shows that there was a very strong correlation between the developments of computers in the 1960’s and the developments of computers in the 1970’s, contrary to the claim that these had little to no relation. Additionally, in the development of C there was a significant effect from the 1960’s on the personal computer revolution. The creation of C was initialized, and entirely based off of events that took place in the 1960’s, and it turned into “one of the most common programming languages used for writing other system software and applications” (Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica). Together these two examples disprove the notion that the events which led to the personal computer revolution were not dependant on 1960’s events but rather on other causes.
Computer science and technology in the 1960’s featured many new developments, and it was these developments which were the driving force behind what is now considered the personal computer revolution. From the usage of computers by consumers, the dependance of early personal computers on 1960’s software, and the solving of 1960’s problems immediately before the creation of the first personal computers, there is much evidence to show in favor of this point. And so, it is important to remember the origins of the computers that we now use, in hopes that one day we may be able to make innovations as revolutionary as those of the personal computer revolution.