John Teltsch has served IBM for nearly four decades, and is now involved in artificial intelligence, mobile access, and cloud computing. John Teltsch joined the firm shortly after it created the Personal Computer Model 5150, its first foray into the emerging personal computer market.
After considering buying and distributing Atari’s home computer, IBM began development of its own machine, code-named Acorn. Powering it was a 4.77 MHz Intel 8088 microprocessor, which IBM purchased off the shelf, along with the Acorn’s other components. The memory held a minuscule 16 kilobytes (expandable to 256k).
Even though it was priced at $1,565 and up, the PC captivated the public after its launch on August 12, 1981. Four months later Time magazine named the personal computer the “Man” of the Year.
On IBM’s 100th anniversary in 2011, a reporter resurrected an old 5150 to see which modern functions it could perform.
The 5150 was still surprisingly capable of key tasks. After repairs, it successfully rendered images and handled email. The latter task required the connection of an old Linux machine to work.
It could access Twitter and do basic word processing, create databases and spreadsheets. It could surf the web, but could not display modern graphics. The user was able to use an image editor that only displayed four colors. Gameplay was limited by crude sound and video.
While it did not perform some functions as well as others, the machine’s rugged engineering bespoke a durability missing in today’s computers.
