Chronology of Events
in the
History of Microcomputers

1977

January

• The Apple Computer Company is incorporated.
• Apple employees move into an office on Stevens Creek Boulevard in Cupertino, California. [353.259]
• A working model of the first Radio Shack computer is demonstrated to company president, Charles Tandy. [266.197]
• Commodore's Chuck Peddle shows the first PET to Radio Shack, hoping to have Radio Shack sell it. [445.256]
• Xerox puts David Liddle in charge of developing the Alto computer into a marketable product.

February

• The first ComputerLand franchise is opened in Morristown, New Jersey, under the name Computer Shack. [9] [266.194] [548.433] (Tandy franchise [346.258])
• Apple Computer moves from Jobs' garage to an office in Cupertino.
• Bill Gates and Paul Allen sign a partnership agreement to officially create the Microsoft company.

April

• The First West Coast Computer Faire is held, in San Francisco's Brooks Civic Auditorium. Nearly 13,000 attended the weekend event. [203.7] [266.145] [353.265]
• Commodore Business Machines Inc. unveils its PET computer at the West Coast Computer Faire. The PET includes a 6502 CPU, 4KB RAM, 14KB ROM, keyboard, display, and tape drive, for US$600. [9] [266.182] [346.46] [445.256] (US$800 [176.54] [190.81]) (MAR [41])
• Apple Computer introduces the Apple II at the West Coast Computer Faire. The computer features a 6502 CPU, 4KB RAM, 16KB ROM, keyboard, 8-slot motherboard, game paddles, graphics/text interface to color display, and built-in BASIC, for US$1300. It is the first personal computer with color graphics.
• Apple Computer delivers its first Apple II system.

May

• 10 months after its introduction, 175 Apple I kits have sold. [218]
• Pertec buys MITS and the Altair line for US$6 million in stock. [233.194] [266.51] [346.44] [548.384]

June

• Camp Retupmoc, the first week-long computer camp, is held in Terre Haute, Indiana. [9]
• Apple II computers are shipped to Europe by independent distributor Eurapple. [46]

July

• Microsoft ships "Microsoft FORTRAN" for CP/M-based computers.

August

• Radio Shack (a division of Tandy Corp.) announces the TRS-80 microcomputer, with Z80 CPU, 4KB RAM, 4KB ROM, keyboard, black-and-white video display, and tape cassette for US$600. [9] [195.49] [202.198] [319.43] [548.413] (US$300 [266.198]) (JUN [41]) (1978 [205.24])

September

• One month after launching the TRS-80, 10,000 are sold, despite sales projections of only 3,000 in the first year. [266.198] [548.413]

October

• Radio Shack opens its first all-computer store, in Fort Worth, Texas. [266.198]

November

• Apple Computer releases Applesoft, a version of BASIC with floating-point capabilities. It is licenced from Microsoft.
• Paul Terrell sells his chain of 74 Byte Shops, valued at US$4 million. [266.190]

December

• At an executive board meeting at Apple Computer, president Mike Markkula lists the floppy disk drive as the company's top goal.
• Microsoft wins a legal battle with Pertec, on ownership of the BASIC Gates and Allen wrote and licensed to MITS. [346.45]

(month unknown)

• (fall) Microsoft grants Apple Computer a license to Microsoft's BASIC.

(month unknown)

• Vector Graphic Inc. introduces the Vector Graphic I system. [202.203]

(month unknown)

• The first issue of Personal Computing is published, by David Bunnell. [266.xv]

(month unknown)

• Compu-Serv changes its name to CompuServe Incorporated.

(month unknown)

• Bally completes designs of a home computer. [267.48]

(month unknown)

• Dan Bricklin conseives the idea for the VisiCalc spreadsheet program. [346.101]

(month unknown)

• Heath Company introduces the H-8 personal computer kit, based on the Intel 8080.

(month unknown)

• Officials of the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health first begin measuring radio-frequency radiation from display monitors. They report emmissions are too low for their instruments to measure. [558.138]

(month unknown)

• The Altair Software Distribution Company changes its name to Peachtree Software. [548.434]

(month unknown)

• IMSAI licences use of CP/M for its microcomputers for US$25,000. [266.139]

(month unknown)

• Atari introduces the Atari Video Computer System, later renamed the Atari 2600. [292]

(month unknown)

• Gilbert Hyatt adds a claim to a single-chip computer to his 1970 patent application. [590.5]

1978

January

• Apple Computer demonstrates its first working prototype Apple II disk drive at the Consumer Electronics Show, in Las Vegas.
• Ward Christianson and Randy Suess begin building the Computerized Bulletin Board System, in Chicago, Illinois. [229.150]

February

• The first major microcomputer bulletin board, run by Ward Christensen and Randy Seuss, goes online, in Chicago, Illinois, USA. [9] [165.37] [229.150] [373.15]

March

• The Second West Coast Computer Faire is held, in San Jose, California. [208.16] [266.183]

May

• Intel begins production of the 8086 microprocessor. It is created by two engineers in just three weeks. Work on the processor began when it was realized that the i432 project was in trouble.

June

• Intel introduces the 4.77-MHz 8086 microprocessor. It uses 16-bit registers, a 16-bit data bus, and 29,000 transistors, using 3-micron technology. Price is US$360. It can access 1 MB of memory. Speed is 0.33 MIPS. Later speeds included 8-MHz (0.66 MIPS) and 10-MHz (0.75 MIPS).
• Microsoft ships Microsoft COBOL.
• Apple Computer introduces the Disk II, a 5.25 inch floppy disk drive linked to the Apple II by cable. Price: US$495, including controller card.
• The National Computer Conference is held in Anaheim, California. Attendance is 57,240. [224.10]
• Pertec ceases production of the Altair. [233.194]

August

• MicroPro introduces WordMaster. [346.259]
• Digital Equipment opens a retail store in a shopping mall, for selling small computer systems priced below US$10,000.
• Paul Terrell demonstrates the Z80-based Exidy Sorcerer at the Personal Computing Show in Philadelphia. [268.112]

October

• The first Personal Computer Expo is held, in New York City. [194.178]
• The first issue of SoftSide is published, for TRS-80 enthusiasts. [269.216]

December

• Epson announces the MX-80 dot matrix printer, which established a new standard in high performance with low price for printers.
• Atari announces the Atari 400 and 800 personal computers, using the 6502 microprocessor. The Atari 800 was code-named "Colleen". [9] [231.83] [252.50]
• Microsoft's sales for the year reach US$1 million.

(month unknown)

• (spring) Dennis Hayes begins Hayes Microcomputer Products.

(month unknown)

• (summer) Apple Computer hires Chuck Peddle, designer of the 6502 microprocessor and Commodore's PET.

(month unknown)

• (fall) Microsoft begins developing BASIC for the Intel 8086 processor.

(month unknown)

• (late) Seymour Rubenstein forms MicroPro International. [266.152] [346.124] [548.432]

(month unknown)

• (late) Apple Computer begins work on an enhanced Apple II with custom chips, code-named Annie.

(month unknown)

• (late) Apple Computer begins work on a supercomputer with a bit-sliced architecture, code-named Lisa.

(month unknown)

• (end) Chuck Peddle quits Apple Computer and returns to Commodore.

(month unknown)

• Taito develops the Space Invaders arcade game in Japan. [267.46]

(month unknown)

• Taito releases the Space Invaders game to arcade centers. [367.34]

(month unknown)

• Exidy Systems introduces the Sorcerer Microcomputer. [280.53]

(month unknown)

• Bally begins shipping its Bally Professional Arcade game. [267.50] [292]

(month unknown)

• Texas Instruments introduces the TMS-4164, a single 5V 64KB programmable memory chip. Initial price is US$125.

(month unknown)

• Cinematronics releases Space Wars to arcades. [338.68]

(month unknown)

• Tandy opens its first dedicated computer center. [34]

(month unknown)

• Scientific Micro Systems introduces the Signetics 8x300 microprocessor. [556.11]

(month unknown)

• Apple Computer begins research and development on what would become the Lisa.

(month unknown)

• APF Electronics introduces the MP-1000 video game unit. [275.38]

(month unknown)

• Scott Adams founds Adventure International. [266.135]

(month unknown)

• Christopher Curry founds Acorn Computer Ltd. in England.

(month unknown)

• Bob Frankston and Dan Bricklin found Software Arts. [266.230]

(month unknown)

• Xerox donates 50 Alto computers to Stanford, Carnegie-Mellon, and MIT.

(month unknown)

• Magnavox releases the Odyssey2 cartridge-based console game system. [292]

(month unknown)

• Hermann Hauser founds Acorn Computers, in England. [347.59]

1979

January

• Microsoft moves its offices from Albuquerque, New Mexico to Bellevue, Washington.

February

• Apple Computer releases DOS 3.2.

March

• Zilog ships samples of the 16-bit Z8000 processor.

April

• Microsoft 8080 BASIC wins the ICP Million Dollar Award, the first microprocessor product to do so.
• Taito first shows the Space Invaders game, in Japan. [276.258]

May

• Software Arts demonstrates VisiCalc at the 4th West Coast Computer Faire. Dan Bricklin and Bob Frankston wrote it during 1978-79, under the company name Software Arts, under contract to Personal Software. [9.202] [80.126] [176.64] [203.9] [218] [266.xv] [346.102] (JUN [41])
• Seattle Computer Products makes the first prototype of its 8086 microprocessor card for the S-100 bus. [2]
• Microsoft tries out its 8086 BASIC on Seattle Computer Products' 8086 processor card for the first time. [346.63]
• Processor Technology closes. [266.124]
• Tandy/Radio Shack announces the TRS-80 Model II. [266.198] [548.413]

June

• The Source telecommunications service goes online. [9]
• Apple Computer introduces the Apple II Plus, with 48KB memory, for US$1195.
• Apple Computer introduces its first printer, the Apple Silentype, for US$600. It is a Trendcom Model 200, released under the Apple name.
• Intel introduces the 4.77-MHz 8088 microprocessor. It was created as a stepping stone to the 8086, as it operates on 16 bits internally, but supports an 8-bit data bus, to use existing 8-bit device-controlling chips. It contains 29,000 transistors, using 3-micron technology, and can address 1MB of memory. Speed is 0.33 MIPS. A later version operates at 8-MHz, for a speed of 0.75 MIPS. [120])
• Texas Instruments introduces the TI-99/4 personal computer, for an initial price of US$1500. It uses the TI 9940 16-bit microprocessor.
• MicroPro releases the WordStar word processor, written by Rob Barnaby. [266.153] [346.259] (written by Seymour Rubenstein [176.64])
• Microsoft announces Microsoft BASIC 8086 at the National Computer Conference.

July

• Apple Computer releases DOS 3.2.1.
• CompuServe begins a service to computer hobbyists called MicroNET, offering bulletin boards, databases, and games.

August

• Microsoft releases its Assembler language for 8080/Z80 microprocessors. [346.260]
• Wayne Ratliff develops the Vulcan database program (Ashton- Tate later markets it as dBASE II). [9] [346.259]

September

• Motorola's 68000 16-bit microprocessor appears. It uses 68,000 transistors, giving it its name.
• IMSAI closes. [266.77]
• Apple Computer sells 35,000 Apple II computers for the fiscal year.

October

• 2.5 years after the introduction of the Apple II, 50,000 units have been sold. [218]
• Personal Software releases VisiCalc for the Apple II. [46] [140] [218] [266.230] [346.102] (NOV [120])
• Atari begins shipping the Atari 400 and Atari 800 personal computers. The 400 comes with 8KB, selling for US$550. The 800 sells for US$1000. [249.110]
• Radio Shack begins shipping the TRS-80 Model II to users. [250.116]
• Mattel announces a keyboard unit for the Intellivision. Estimated retail price: US$700. [289.132]

November

• Texas Instruments begins shipping the TI 99/4.
• ComputerLand grows to include 100 franchises. [266.195]

December

• The first Comdex show is held in Las Vegas.
• A group of Apple Computer engineers and executives is given a demo of Xerox Palo Alto Research Center's Alto computer system, in exchange for Xerox buying 100,000 Apple Computer shares for US$1 million.
• Sears begins selling Atari home computers. [269.14]

(month unknown)

• (spring) Atari develops the Asteroids computer game. [281.78]

(month unknown)

• (spring) Microsoft completes work on BASIC for the Intel 8086 processor.

(month unknown)

• (fall) Atari produces the first coin-operated Asteroids game machine. [281.78]

(month unknown)

• (fall) Microsoft begins developing an 8086 version of FORTRAN.

(month unknown)

• (end) Mattel Electronics releases the Intellivision video game system. [292]

(month unknown)

• Alan Shugart founds Seagate Technologies (hard disk maker), in Scotts Valley, California.

(month unknown)

• Shugart Associates publishes the Shugart Associates Systems Interface (SASI). [543]

(month unknown)

• The National Computer Conference is held in New York. [346.63]

(month unknown)

• Tim Patterson of Seattle Computer Products demonstrates his 8086 card with Microsoft at the LifeBoat Associates booth at the National Computer Conference. [346.63]

(month unknown)

• A group of programmers from the Dynamic Modeling Group at MIT incorporates InfoCom. [548.435]

(month unknown)

• Apple Computer begins work on "Sara", the code name for what will be the Apple III.

(month unknown)

• Apple Computer releases the word processing program AppleWriter 1.0.

(month unknown)

• Michael Shane founds Leading Edge Products. [203.24]

(month unknown)

• Vector Graphic Inc. introduces the Vector Graphic System B system. [202.203]

(month unknown)

• Schlumberger Ltd. sells Heath Company to Zenith Radio Corp. for US$64.5 million. [246.81]

(month unknown)

• Niklaus Wirth invents the Modula-1 programming language. [132]

(month unknown)

• NEC releases its NEC PC 8001 microcomputer in Japan, the first for that country. [346.55]

(month unknown)

• Atari founder Nolan Bushnell leaves the company, to manage Pizza Time Theatre. [335.8]

(month unknown)

• IMSAI declares bankruptcy. Its assets are purchased by Fischer-Freitas. [251.174] [266.xv]

(month unknown)

• Bob Metcalfe founds 3Com Corporation.

(month unknown)

• IBM introduces the IBM 3800 laser printer, capable of printing 20,000 lines per minute.

(month unknown)

• Hayes Microcomputer Products introduces the 110/300 baud Micromodem II for the Apple II, for US$380.

1980

January

• Mike Harvey begins the Nibble magazine for Apple Computer products.
• Universal Data Systems announces the 103LP 300 bps modem, connecting directly into the phone line, requiring no additional power. Price: US$195. [252.44]
• Morrow Designs advertises the 26 MB DISCUS M26 hard drive system for US$5000. [248.69]
• The first issue of S-Eighty is published, for TRS-80 enthusiasts. [269.216]
• The first issue of Computer Shopper is published. [269.216] 
• Hewlett-Packard completes work on the Capricorn project, producing the HP-85. With a 32-character wide CRT display, small built-in printer, cassette tape recorder, and keyboard, it sold for US$3250.

February

• Microsoft begins development on an 8086 version of AT&T's UNIX operating system.
• Sinclair Research announces the ZX80 computer in the North American market. It uses a 3.25-MHz NEC Technologies 780-1 8-bit microprocessor, and comes with 1KB RAM and 4KB ROM. [255.94]
• Mattel begins shipping the game component of the Intellivision. [268.48]

March

• Atari ad: "Atari promises to be the most popular Personal Computer System of the 1980's!". [249.124]
• Microsoft Corp. announces its first hardware product, the Z-80 SoftCard for the Apple II. This card gives the Apple II CP/M capability, contributing greatly to Apple Computer's success. The card includes CP/M and Microsoft's Disk BASIC, all for US$349. The announcement is made at the West Coast Computer Faire in San Francisco. Tim Patterson of Seattle Computer Products had built several prototypes before Microsoft's Don Burdis took over the project. In its first year of release, 25,000 units are sold.
• Satellite Software International ships WordPerfect 1.0 for Data General minicomputers.
• At the West Coast Computer Faire, Adam Osborne approaches Les Felsenstein with the idea of starting a computer company. [266.261]

April

• Tim Patterson begins writing an operating system for use with Seattle Computer Products' 8086-based computer. [346.75]
• Data General announces the Eclipse MV/8000. Code name during development was Gallifrey Eagle.
• Seattle Computer Products decides to make their own disk operating system (DOS), due to delays by Digital Research in releasing a CP/M-86 operating system. [2]

May

• Apple Computer introduces the Apple III at the National Computer Conference, in Anaheim, California. The Apple III uses a 2-MHz 6502A microprocessor, and includes a 5.25-inch floppy drive. Price ranges from US$4500 to US$8000.
• Universal Data Systems announces the 202LP 1200 bps modem, connecting directly into the phone line, requiring no additional power. [252.44]

June

• Seagate Technologies announces the first Winchester 5.25-inch hard disk drive.
• Steve Ballmer joins Microsoft.
• Shugart begins selling Winchester hard-disk drives. [9]

July

• Radio Shack introduces the TRS-80 Model III. It uses the Zilog Z80 CPU, and is priced from US$700 to US$2500.
• Radio Shack introduces the TRS-80 Color Computer. It uses the Motorola 6809E CPU, comes with 4KB RAM, and sells for US$400.
• Radio Shack introduces the TRS-80 Pocket Computer. It features a 24 character display, with 1.9KB of programmable memory. Price is US$230. [253.172] [266.198] (AUG [256.30])
• Radio Shack introduces the Daisy Wheel Printer II for US$1960. [256.30]
• The last issue of S-Eighty is published. [269.216]
• IBM representatives meet with Microsoft's Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer to talk about Microsoft products, and home computers. [266.271] [346.70]
• IBM asks Bill Gates to write the operating system for their upcoming PC.

August

• IBM meets with Microsoft again, and shows plans for Project Chess, a personal computer. The code name for the computer is "Acorn". Bill Gates argues that IBM should use the 16-bit 8086, rather than the 8-bit 8080 processor.
• QDOS 0.10 (Quick and Dirty Operating System) is shipped by Seattle Computer Products. Even though it had been created in only two man-months, the DOS worked surprisingly well. A week later, the EDLIN line editor was created. EDLIN was supposed to last only six months, before being replaced. [2] (SCP-DOS [266.272])
• Hal Lashlee and George Tate form Software Plus. The company later changes its name to Ashton-Tate. [346.260]
• Microsoft announces the Microsoft XENIX OS, a portable and commercial version of the UNIX operating system for the Intel 8086, Zilog Z8000, Motorola M68000, and Digital Equipment PDP-11.
• Apple Computer releases DOS 3.3.

September

• Microsoft decides to propose to IBM that they provide the operating system for IBM's microcomputer.
• The "Dirty Dozen" is formed, the 12 engineers assembled to design and build the IBM PC, in Boca Raton, Florida. The PC's code name is Acorn.
• Apple Computer sells over 78,000 Apple II computers during the fiscal year.
• The first issue of Softalk magazine for Apple Computer products appears.
• Tim Patterson shows Microsoft his 86-DOS, written for the 8086 chip.
• Software Publishing ships the pfs:File database program. [346.261]
• IBM meets with Microsoft again, to formalize plans to work together in creating a new microcomputer.

October

• Microsoft's Paul Allen contacts Seattle Computer Products' Tim Patterson, asking for the rights to sell SCP's DOS to an unnamed client (IBM). Microsoft pays less than US$100,000 for the right. [346.76]
• Bill Gates, Paul Allen, and Steve Ballmer meet with IBM in Boca Raton, Florida, to deliver a report to IBM. They propose that Microsoft be put in charge of the entire software development process for IBM's new microcomputer, including converting Seattle Computer Products' SCP-DOS to run on the computer.
• Sol Libes quote in Byte magazine's ByteLines: "The 32-bit machine would be 'overkill' for a personal computer.". [253.188]

November

• Microsoft and IBM sign a contract for Microsoft to develop certain software products for IBM's microcomputer.
• Atari sponsers the First National (US) Space Invaders Competition, in New York. Bill Heineman of Whittier, California scores 165,200 to win an Asteroids Table Top Video Game. [267.44]

December

• InfoCom releases the Zork adventure game for the TRS-80 and Apple II. In the first nine months, 7,500 copies are sold. [548.436]
• IBM delivers the first PC prototype to Microsoft, so they can begin developing BASIC and the machine's operating system.
• Apple Computer becomes a publicly held company, selling 4.6 million shares at US$22 per share. More than 40 Apple employees and investors become instant millionaires. [266.240]
• Seattle Computer Products renames QDOS to 86-DOS, releasing it as version 0.3. Microsoft then bought non-exclusive rights to market 86-DOS.

(month unknown)

• (fall) Apple Computer ships the first Apple III units in limited quantity.

(month unknown)

• Exidy Systems introduces the Computer System 80. [280.53]

(month unknown)

• Microsoft begins work on its first microcomputer application, a spreadsheet program initially called Electronic Paper.

(month unknown)

• Hewlett-Packard releases the HP-85.

(month unknown)

• Sinclair Research ships the ZX80 in North America, for US$200. [255.94]

(month unknown)

• IBM assembles the members of "Project Chess", whose purpose is to create a microcomputer. [346.69]

(month unknown)

• Apple Computer begins project "Diana", which would become the Apple IIe.

(month unknown)

• Ken and Roberta Williams start On-Line Systems, developing software for the Apple II. [353.282]

(month unknown)

• IBM contacts Digital Research about using CP/M-86 for IBM's upcoming microcomputer. Gary Kildall is not interested, for a variety of reasons.

(month unknown)

• Digital Research releases CP/M-86 for Intel 8086- and 8088-based systems.

(month unknown)

• Intel announces the iAPX-432 32-bit microprocessor. Intel later builds the 80286 as a step between the 8086 and the 432.

(month unknown)

• The term RISC (reduced instruction set computer) is coined by Professor David Patterson of the University of California in Berkeley. [154]

(month unknown)

• Bally sells its Consumer Products Division to Astrovision. [267.50]

(month unknown)

• Intel introduces the 8087 math coprocessor.

(month unknown)

• CompuServe merges with H&R Block, and renames MicroNET to CompuServe Information Service.

(month unknown)

• Alan Ashton and Bruce Bastian found Satellite Software International. [330.102] (1979 [346.133])

(month unknown)

• Apollo introduces a line of workstations using the Motorola 68000.

(month unknown)

• Sony Electronics introduces the 3.5 inch floppy disk and drive, double-sided, double-density, holding up to 875KB unformatted.

(month unknown)

• Panasonic and Quasar unveil hand-held computers, made by Matsushita. The unit uses a 1-MHz 6502 CPU, and weighs just 14 ounces (397 grams).

(month unknown)

• Onyx introduces the Onyx C8002 microcomputer. It features a Zilog Z8000 microprocessor, 256KB RAM, tape backup, hard disk, serial ports for eight users, and running Unix, for US$20,000. It is the first microcomputer featuring an implementation of Unix. [461.140]

End of 1977-1980 - Home Computers