The Computer Revolution

Today, computers are everywhere. Everyone owns one, with their abundance and durability being taken for granted. However, computers have not been around forever. In fact, they didn't become popular until the early 1980s. So what made them popular and actually start the "revolution" of computer sales?

Computers have actually been around for a long time. They were used in the 1930s and extensively during the military. However, these computers were giant, requiring lots of space  in order to contain lots of information and ability to perform functions. What is ironic is that computers today are far more powerful than the room-sized ones in the 60s.

Microsoft began in 1972, created by Paul Allen and Bill Gates. It started as Traf-O-Data, but turned to its well-known name in 1975. In 1990 Windows Office was created, which offered numerous business productivity applications such as excel and Word. Microsoft would go on to become a giant in the microchip era

Apple was started in 1976, when Steve Wozniak introduced the Apple I, but it looked nothing like what we see today. They were handmade and had a small fraction of the processing capability. In 1977, the Apple II was introduced. It was very successful, as millions were sold from 77 to 93. This was important because it was the first launch of a pc aimed at consumer market- previously had been for big businesses. Now, people were able to use computers to store information or look at the internet, something that obviously hadn't been available before. This advent of new information was revolutionary in the sense that it spread information at a rapid pace.

The invention of the microchip was revolutionary in the sense that it was able to compress data and processing capabilities in a way never seen before, and in the 80s to 90s this was utilized to reach consumer market. What started as a military weapon would become a household item. 

Sources:
http://www.computerhistory.org/timeline/computers/