The History of Personal Computing

Apple Macintosh 512K

On today’s show, we’re covering the Apple Macintosh, Steve Jobs’ publicly acknowledged attempt at delivering the Graphic User Interface to the general public.

From the last show – Wikipedia: “Contrary to common belief, it was not the first personal computer to offer a graphical user interface in a machine aimed at individual business users. Development of the Lisa began in 1978. The Lisa sold poorly, with only 100,000 units sold.

From Wikipedia: “The Macintosh (branded as Mac since 1997) is a series of personal computers designed, developed, and marketed by Apple, Inc. Steve Jobs introduced the original Macintosh computer on January 24, 1984. This was the first mass-market personal computer featuring an integral graphical user interface and mouse.”

Jeff & David, along with our guest co-host Adam Rosen of the Vintage Mac Museum in Boston, MA, discuss some of the philosophies about the above statements, along with personally selected eBay favorites.

Links mention in this episode:

• Miniature Apple IIGS signed by Steve Wozniak. An auction which benefits the UNC Cancer Hospitals
• Silicon City: Computer History Made in New York
• Data recovered from Gene Roddenberry’s floppies—but what’s on them?

Auctions picked for this episode:

• Jeff’s
  • Classic Macintosh Mac SE (FDHD x 2) 1GB Apple HD 4MB RAM – “DUAL SUPERDRIVES”
  • Near Mint Working Original Vintage 1989 Macintosh Portable
  • Macintosh Portable Computer With Carry Case
• Adam’s
  • Vintage APPLE MACINTOSH 512K COMPUTER COLLECTORS ITEM + ACCESSORIES
  • 1984 Macintosh 128k In Original Box!
  • Apple Laser Writer Plus 1986 Macintosh Vintage Computing
  • APPLE MAcINTOSH VINTAGE SYSTEM SAVER MAC NEW IN BOX APPOX 1985 KENSINGTON
  • Thunderscan for Macintosh – complete, new unused, in original box
•  David’s
  • Collectable Vintage Apple Macintosh Powerbook Duo 230 With Dock M7779 Works!
  • Macintosh Performa 600 Computer w/ Monitor, Keyboard, & Mouse
  • 1990 Apple Macintosh IIFX Computer – (NEAR MINT)

Find all of our show notes at HistoryOfPersonalComputing.com.

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