15 Questions
What marked the beginning of the history of the personal computer as a mass-market consumer electronic device?
The microcomputer revolution of the 1970s.
What distinguishes a personal computer from a mainframe computer or a time-sharing system?
A personal computer is intended for interactive individual use, unlike a mainframe computer or a time-sharing system.
What were early personal computers generally called?
Early personal computers were generally called microcomputers.
Why did individual personal computers become affordable consumer goods?
After the development of the microprocessor, individual personal computers became low enough in cost to be affordable consumer goods.
In what context was the term 'personal computer' initially used in a 1968 Hewlett-Packard advertisement?
The term 'personal computer' was initially used in a 1968 Hewlett-Packard advertisement for a programmable calculator.
What was the microcomputer revolution of the 1970s and how did it contribute to the history of personal computers?
The microcomputer revolution of the 1970s marked the beginning of the history of the personal computer as a mass-market consumer electronic device. It contributed by making individual personal computers low enough in cost to eventually become affordable consumer goods.
What were early personal computers generally called and who were they of interest to?
Early personal computers, generally called microcomputers, were of interest mostly to hobbyists and technicians.
What are the distinguishing features of a personal computer compared to a mainframe computer or a time-sharing system?
A personal computer is intended for interactive individual use, as opposed to a mainframe computer where the end user's requests are filtered through operating staff, or a time-sharing system in which one large processor is shared by many individuals.
Who noted an early published use of the phrase 'personal computer' in a 1968 Hewlett-Packard advertisement and what was being advertised?
Yale Law School librarian Fred Shapiro noted the early published use of the phrase 'personal computer' in a 1968 Hewlett-Packard advertisement for a programmable calculator.
What technological development made individual personal computers low enough in cost to become affordable consumer goods?
The development of the microprocessor made individual personal computers low enough in cost to eventually become affordable consumer goods.
What was the significance of the microcomputer revolution of the 1970s in the history of personal computers?
The microcomputer revolution of the 1970s marked the beginning of the history of the personal computer as a mass-market consumer electronic device.
Why were early personal computers generally called microcomputers?
Early personal computers were generally called microcomputers due to their small size and limited capabilities.
What were individual personal computers low enough in cost after the development of the microprocessor?
Individual personal computers were low enough in cost after the development of the microprocessor, making them eventually affordable consumer goods.
What is the etymology of the term 'personal computer' according to Yale Law School librarian Fred Shapiro?
Yale Law School librarian Fred Shapiro notes an early published use of the phrase in a 1968 Hewlett-Packard advertisement for a programmable calculator.
In what form were early personal computers often sold, and who were they mostly of interest to?
Early personal computers were often sold in electronic kit form and in limited numbers, and were of interest mostly to hobbyists and technicians.
Test your knowledge of the history of personal computers with this quiz. Explore the microcomputer revolution of the 1970s and learn about the transition to consumer electronic devices. Identify key milestones and developments that shaped the evolution of personal computers into the interactive individual use devices we know today.
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