Friday, August 12 — This date 35 years ago is significant in the advance of the digital age. On August 12, 1981, IBM introduced its model 5150 — which soon became known simply as the “PC.” There had been consumer computer models for some years before, such as the early Apple and Commodore, but the IBM machine marked a turning point in acceptance due to the manufacturer’s prominence. The company was famous for its pioneering, large mainframe computers, and even by 1984, barely over 8 percent of American households had personal computers. Now, about 84 percent of American households have computers, with the Asian-American population’s figure reaching 95 percent. Over 96 percent of college graduates live in homes with at least one computer.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
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