The IBM (1981)

"The desktop computer became common for accountants in the mid-1980's. It took a few more years for it to become common in business. The computer is a natural for double entry bookkeeping. The procedures are just as they have been for many years. Journals, ledgers, spread sheets, and financial statements. Now, they are always in balance. Spelling, printing, and statements are correct. Beautiful! The benefits did not come all at once. My first desk-top computer required that I take it apart and set dip switches. I followed the instructions and didn't have any problem. If you wanted more memory or more speed you could pay more and the increase would appear. Early software could be a challenge. Once you figured out the bugs you tried not download updates. Come to think of it some software is still that way. "
- Gerald Dix

The IBM Personal Computer, commonly known as the IBM PC, is the original version and progenitor of the IBM PC compatible hardware platform. It is IBM model number 5150, and was introduced on August 12, 1981. It was created by a team of engineers and designers under the direction of Don Estridge of the IBM Entry Systems Division in Boca Raton, Florida. The generic term "personal computer" was in use before 1981, applied as early as 1972 to the Xerox PARC's Alto, but because of the success of the IBM Personal Computer, the term "PC" came to mean more specifically a desktop microcomputer compatible with IBM's PC products. Within a short time of the introduction, third-party suppliers of peripheral devices, expansion cards, and software proliferated; the influence of the IBM PC on the personal computer market was substantial in standardizing a platform for personal computers. "IBM compatible" became an important criterion for sales growth; only the Apple Macintosh family kept significant market share without compatibility with the IBM personal computer. And then, along came Bill. Microsoft has done an excellent job of maintaining the operating system.