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Who is the father of the personal computer?

The title "father of the personal computer" is often attributed to Henry Edward Roberts, an American engineer, entrepreneur, and inventor. Roberts is best known for creating the Altair 8800, the first commercially successful personal computer, which was released in 1975. His work laid the foundation for the personal computing revolution and inspired a generation of tech pioneers, including Bill Gates and Paul Allen, who co-founded Microsoft after writing software for the Altair.

However, the development of the personal computer was a collaborative effort involving many innovators over several decades. Other key figures who contributed significantly to the evolution of personal computing include:

  1. Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs: Co-founders of Apple, they introduced the Apple I in 1976 and the Apple II in 1977, which were among the first user-friendly personal computers aimed at the general public.

  2. Douglas Engelbart: Known for inventing the computer mouse and pioneering concepts like hypertext and graphical user interfaces (GUIs), Engelbart's work in the 1960s influenced the design of modern personal computers.

  3. Alan Kay: A visionary computer scientist who conceptualized the idea of a portable, user-friendly personal computer, which he called the "Dynabook." His ideas heavily influenced the development of laptops and tablets.

  4. Chuck Peddle: The designer of the Commodore PET, one of the first all-in-one personal computers, which helped bring computing to homes and schools in the late 1970s.

  5. Ed Roberts' Altair 8800: While not the first computer, it was the first to capture the imagination of hobbyists and entrepreneurs, sparking the home computer revolution.

While Henry Edward Roberts is often credited as the father of the personal computer due to the Altair's groundbreaking impact, the personal computer as we know it today is the result of contributions from many individuals and companies over time. Each played a role in shaping the technology, accessibility, and usability of personal computing.

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Comments (45)

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Philippe Magdalena 2025-03-30 02:10:27

This article provides a comprehensive overview of the history of personal computers. It's fascinating to learn about the pioneers who shaped the technology we use today.

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Roybal Veeti 2025-03-30 02:10:27

Great read! The debate over who truly deserves the title 'Father of the Personal Computer' is well-explained here.

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Semenihin Jayden 2025-03-30 02:10:27

I appreciate the detailed analysis of key figures like Ed Roberts and Steve Wozniak. Very informative!

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Walker Ángeles 2025-03-30 02:10:27

The article could use more visuals to break up the text, but the content itself is excellent.

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Scott Remedios 2025-03-30 02:10:27

A must-read for anyone interested in tech history. The origins of the personal computer are more complex than I realized.

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Silva Marcele 2025-03-30 02:10:27

Well-researched and engaging. I didn’t know about the Altair 8800’s role before reading this.

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Aydan Neea 2025-03-30 02:10:27

The comparison between different inventors is insightful. It’s hard to pick just one 'father' of the PC.

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Rizun Zeferino 2025-03-30 02:10:27

Short but packed with useful information. Perfect for a quick history lesson.

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Kauppila Mads 2025-03-30 02:10:27

I wish there were more citations or sources listed, but the content seems accurate.

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Bresser Adem 2025-03-30 02:10:27

The article highlights how collaborative innovation really was in the early days of computing.

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Carlson Nolan 2025-03-30 02:10:27

Clear and concise. A great introduction to the topic for beginners.

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Ranta Maëva 2025-03-30 02:10:27

The section on Bill Gates and Paul Allen’s contributions adds valuable context.

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Jörg Christiane 2025-03-30 02:10:27

Interesting perspective! It’s refreshing to see lesser-known figures get recognition.

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Pierce Etienne 2025-03-30 02:10:27

The writing is a bit dry, but the historical facts make up for it.

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Singh Stephanie 2025-03-30 02:10:27

I’d love to see a follow-up article on how these early PCs influenced modern devices.

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Guldemond Viljami 2025-03-30 02:10:27

The debate over the 'father' title is well-presented. It’s not as straightforward as I thought.

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Ginnish Alexander 2025-03-30 02:10:27

A solid overview, though some sections could delve deeper into technical details.

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Rosa Javier 2025-03-30 02:10:27

The article does a great job of balancing historical facts with engaging storytelling.

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Schriemer Liselotte 2025-03-30 02:10:27

I learned something new today! The Altair’s impact was bigger than I realized.

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Roordink Ljuba 2025-03-30 02:10:27

The inclusion of Steve Jobs and Wozniak’s work adds depth to the narrative.

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Atakol Jorge 2025-03-30 02:10:27

A bit too focused on American inventors. Would love to see international perspectives included.

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Fitzgerald Griva 2025-03-30 02:10:27

The article is well-structured and easy to follow. Kudos to the author!

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كامياران Belén 2025-03-30 02:10:27

The origins of the personal computer are more nuanced than I expected. Great insights here.

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Lee Christy 2025-03-30 02:10:27

The piece could benefit from more quotes or firsthand accounts from the pioneers themselves.

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Tilmans Jade 2025-03-30 02:10:27

A concise yet thorough exploration of a pivotal moment in tech history.

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Dokić Mason 2025-03-30 02:10:27

The role of hobbyist communities in the PC revolution is an eye-opener.

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Robin Taylor 2025-03-30 02:10:27

I’d recommend this to anyone curious about how personal computing began.

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كامياران Johann 2025-03-30 02:10:27

The article makes a strong case for Ed Roberts’ contributions being underrated.

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Thomsen Danial 2025-03-30 02:10:27

The writing style is accessible, making complex history easy to understand.

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Long Hamda 2025-03-30 02:10:27

A fantastic primer on the early days of personal computers. Left me wanting to learn more!