Modern Era · North America · Technology

1981

IBM PC launches

August 12, 1981

IBM introduced its Personal Computer running Microsoft's DOS, and business discovered it could put a computer on every desk. Big Blue had legitimized the hobbyist industry. Clones would soon undercut IBM itself; Microsoft would quietly get rich from its operating system. Within a decade the PC was as common as the telephone.

More from 1981 Modern Era

In context

Also in 1981 (6 other events on record)

AIDS first reported · North America · Disaster
Sadat assassinated · Middle East · Politics
Reagan shot · North America · Politics
Pope shot in St. Peter's Square · Europe · Religion
Iran hostages released · Middle East · Politics
Charles and Diana wed · Europe · Culture

Before and after in North America

Before: December 8, 1980: John Lennon shot
After: October 25, 1983: US invades Grenada

Before and after in Technology

Before: 1975: Microsoft and Apple begin
After: 1982: CD released

Era

Modern Era (1901–2000), one of 590 events from that era on Saeculum.