Mar 3 A New Computer Club Is Born
Today in history, 1975, the Homebrew Computer Club had its first official meeting in a garage in Menlo Park, California. The club started with a noble purpose: increase interest in and practice building a home computer, known as the Altair 8800, from a kit. Thirty microcomputer hobbyists met with the founders Fred Moore and Gordon French the first meeting. The club and others like it led to a burgeoning popularity of the personal computer.
A generation of techies were inspired to explore computer assembly. The first meeting inspired one of its attendees, Wozniak, so much that he took it upon himself to foster the group’s goals by creating blueprints for building a home computer.
At that time Wozniak was not thinking about money, but the fun and fulfillment of helping others build their own computers. He thought this would be a great way for him to socialize and get noticed for his contribution.
The influence of a Friend
However, his friend, Steve Jobs, was all about business and making money. So he stepped in and convinced Wozniak, that his blueprints were too valuable to give away. So to make a long story short Wozniak and Jobs took the blueprints, built the Apple-1 computer, opened up shop in his garage initially and sold them. More room was needed, so Steve Jobs negotiated a deal with The Byte Shop. By 1977 Apple became officially incorporated.
So back to the Homebrew Computer Club. It quickly outgrew its original garage location and moved to the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center. There it continued for almost two more years until its last meeting in 1977. The Club was regarded highly by hobbyist and inventers because they had an audience of likeminded folks.
What Makes the Homebrewers Computer Club Significant?
Even though the club continued only for two years many of these hobbyist became leaders in the personal computing industry.
They knew the importance of news media and published regular newsletters which are said to have been a most significant influential force in the formation of the culture of Silicon Valley.
Something To Think About?
What would have happened if Steve Jobs had not been a friend of Wozniak and convinced him not to give out his blueprint for building computers?
What did all of the other members of this club do after it disbanded?
Why do the dynamics of a community forum work?
Enjoy the Dynamics of the Wealthy Affiliate Community Today.
We do have a very dynamic community that defiinitely has an impact on our success.
Recent Comments
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I think for me George there is clearly deep experience which exists in many WA members. We have reach into the community. Tap into that experience, build relationships and direct that learning to create exceptional businesses.
Yes. There are many members here with a lot of deep experience and results. It is marvelous to think we all start with WA training. The sharing that is done in WA is tremendous.
Glad I could present a piece of history you didn't know about.
This research is very interesting..
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Interesting computer story once again. Here is a side bar. In 1983 I promoted a local business expo. I reached out to Apple to see if I could place the Jobs/Wozniak initial prototype on display at the show. No one at Apple knew where it was - thought perhaps it had been discarded. I never spoke to Jobs or Wozniak directly, of course.
That is amazing. History gets lost quickly. You have an interesting background.