The first personal computer, or PC, was invented in 1975. The MITS Altair 8800 was the first personal computer, however if someone were to put one in front of you today you would not think you were looking at a computer at all. The inventors, Ed Roberts and Forrest M. Mims lll, got their experience in electronics while working in the weapons laboratory at an Air Force base. They began making kits for rocket enthusiasts; their business was thriving but they wanted to be able to market their kits to a broader range of hobbyists. They began producing calculator kits and eventually managed the MITS Altair 8800.
This PC was primitive, there was no display, calculations had to be walked through manually at its base level, and it was riddled with electrical issues. It was possible to add a printer so that the individual didn’t have to transcribe the calculations however that was a pricey upgrade.
The first personal computer as we know it today was invented by IBM, and was called the IBM PC. The IBM PC was introduced in 1981 and featured Microsofts Disk Operating System (MS DOS). Although the IBM PC was marketed towards the general public it was adopted by the corporate world, as large corporations bought them in bulk for the workplace. The effects of this can still be seen today as Microsoft operating systems dominate the workplace, even though Macs are much more popular for private use.
Apple’s 1984 release of the Macintosh changed the game in the PC world. The Macintosh offered a new concept within its software, picture icons. This may seem like a relatively basic achievement today however it was this upgrade that helped the PC world expand to the general public. Up until this point computers ran on the most basic operating systems, ones and zeros, and people needed to take a course to understand their functions and how to operate them. The upgraded Macintosh operating system with picture icons was so easy and straight forward to use, anyone could do it, making it the perfect choice for a home computer, and helping to establish the PC market.
With these vast improvements people were connected like never before. The creation and evolution of the personal computer paved the way for countless new means of communication. Email, social media, message boards, video chats, and dozens more. Now you could send someone a letter in 2 minutes instead of a few days. The exchange of new ideas became faster and much much easier. Laboratories across the country could now work together and exchange their findings leading to massive and meaningful breakthroughs in terms of medicine and general sciences.
Also the creation of the PC has vastly changed the way people get their news. Today the newspaper industry is a dying business because virtually everyone has access to breaking news stories online for free anytime. There are blogs, like this one, mainstream news outlets, and smaller journalists all a click away. None of which would have been possible if not for the personal computer.
However, not every aspect of the personal computer has had a positive impact. Online chat rooms and social media platforms have become havens for hatred and bullying and it has been shown to have had a devastating impact on the mental health of countless American kids. In extreme cases it has even led to suicide. Beyond this, it has been found that the light emitted from PC screens can be harmful to an individuals eyes and can even disrupt sleep patterns.
Another issue that has become increasingly prevalent today is identity theft. People keep so much personal information on their computers that a single hacker can steal an individuals whole identity; they can open credit cards, take out loans, and even steal your home (Home Title Theft) all in the matter of hours.
In addition the evolution and advancement of the PC has had devastating implications on the environment. In particular the mining for precious metals like lithium for batteries and cobalt for screens has led to massive deforestation and loss of habitat and wildlife, as well as an increase in harmful emissions into the atmosphere exasperating global climate change.
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