# reading matter | Computer or calculator? Philosophy of the past

Our readers, who are deeply interested in the history of high technology, called the Intel MCS-85 calculator. And rightly so, I must say, called. Therefore, there is a need to clarify. The fact is that until the mid-1980s, microcomputers (personal computers) were rather programmable calculators with an expanded set of features (and even that was sometimes debatable). The situation changed with the appearance in 1984 of the famous Macintosh computer.

You can try to find another starting point. The question is not in a specific model, but in the time when the personal computer did not just appear, but took place and reached maturity. The fact is that not a single technology (with the rare exception) comes immediately and suddenly. It takes time for the component database to be aligned with the requirements of users. And the people themselves overcame their conservatism and were ready to accept devices of a new type, to make them part of their everyday life.

The great historical event is rarely realized as such by its contemporaries. Sometimes it takes years, and sometimes decades, for the broad masses to finally exclaim in unison: “Here! This is exactly what we need! ”For example, the first commercial mobile communications network appeared in 1947, but only in the last decade it has become truly massive. No rush caused the first mobile network. Nothing even resembling enthusiasm. This most important event in world history has passed almost unnoticed.

With personal computers, the situation was very similar. The fact is that microcomputers of the late 1970s were simply ... not needed by the average user. They could cause interest among radio amateurs, could come to the aid of scientists and students, but they still didn’t know anything that would attract ordinary users.

They have not yet become cutting-edge multimedia and gaming stations. On their basis it was impossible to build the entire home leisure. Just toys. Funny, interesting and quite expensive. Sometimes even useful if you know what to do with them. But no more than that.

Therefore, until the 1990s, typewriters and programmable calculators were in considerable demand. It would seem that computers already exist, and they do quite well with at least these two tasks: test suite and calculations. But ... it was just more convenient to use separate devices.

Today it is hard to believe it, but in the 1970s, few people realized the importance of microcomputers for humanity. They were, but for the masses they "did not exist." They could already be bought and sometimes not too expensive, but people simply did not understand what to do with them. But technically trained and mature people did not take the “computational babies” seriously.

Many competent computer experts generally doubted that personal computers are capable of something more than amuse fans. The mainframe, the mainframe computer was considered a real computer.

In order not to delay our narration, let us give an example that is widely known today: 3D-printers. Some of them, like Replicator 2, are even pretty skillful. It is fun, amusing, sometimes even useful, but not much needed on the farm. Many people on our planet, if desired, could acquire household 3D printers, but few bought it. What to do with him? Printing hooks for the bathroom, which in the end will cost much more than if you buy them in the nearest "household goods"! At best - lamp shade.

It is possible that over time, 3D-printers will play a key role in the industry and in everyday life. But this ... will or will not. Maybe three-dimensional printing will supplant a more interesting (or lucky) technology. But at the moment for most of the inhabitants of the planet they are nothing more than an interesting topic, reflections on which (in the best case!) You can devote a few minutes of your precious time per week.

It is this niche occupied by microcomputers in the late 1970s (and even the early 1980s). They were developed and improved by the talented engineers of their time. A market has formed around them and even a rather big one. They played a certain role. But it was a supporting role.

Today, years later, it is interesting and fascinating to trace the path that personal computers have made: from the state of low-power “calculators”, fun toys for rare enthusiasts to modern fashion tablets.

The article is based on materials https://hi-news.ru/computers/chtivo-kompyuter-ili-kalkulyator-filosofiya-proshlogo.html.